AirForces monthly 16-page supplement June 2013

DisplayEdited by Mark Broadbent Teamsof the World 2013

ir forces operate display teams Ato showcase the raw skills of airmanship, precision and teamwork that underpin military flying and to promote awareness and recruitment. They also have an ambassadorial role, promoting an air force and country overseas. Many covered in this supplement display overseas each year and, in some cases, frequently undertake international tours. Teams are also used to promote a country’s aerospace industry, playing informal roles in sales campaigns. As financial constraints continue to affect air force budgets globally, it will be interesting to see if aerobatic teams can maintain their military, political and industrial value. - AMI Military display teams of the world 2013

Australia ARGENTINACruz del Sur Esquadrilha Brunei Alap-Alap Royal Australian Air Force da Fumaça Formation Official designation: Royal Australian Air (Angkatan Tentera Udara Force Aerobatic Team (Força Aérea Brasileira) DiRaja Brunei - ATUDB) : 6 x Pilatus PC-9 English translation: English translation: Base: RAAF Base East Sale Smoke Squadron Eagle Formation History: The Roulettes team Official designation: Official designation: Royal was established in 1970 for the Brazilian Air Force Air Brunei Air Force Aerobatic Team RAAF’s Golden Jubilee using Demonstration Squadron Aircraft: 3 x Pilatus PC-7II the Vampire’s replacement, the Aircraft: 7 x Embraer Base: Rimba AB Macchi MB326. It grew from T-27 Super Tucano History: Alap-Alap Formation its initial four aircraft to seven Base: Pirassununga AB was established in February 2011 in 1981, but a year later was History: The team was to mark the 50th anniversary reduced to five. The Roulettes established at the Air Force of the founding of military transitioned onto six PC-9s in Academy in 1952 using four aviation in Brunei and the 20th 1989. The team uses standard North American T-6s. The BRAZIL - Esquadrilha da Fumaça FAB anniversary of an independent CFS PC-9s, the colour scheme - Cruz del sur ‘Smoke Squadron’ name

FAA Royal Brunei Air Force. The team’s for the fleet having been was an informal moniker aircraft and pilots come from the designed so that aircraft can History: The Cruz del Sur examples in August 2012. As derived from the T-6’s smoke 3rd Squadron of the air force’s be switched between training (Fuerza Aérea Argentina) team was established in 1997 it is still receiving new aircraft, system. It was officially training . Alap-Alap has duties and the Roulettes. English translation: with seven Sukhoi Su-29As no displays will take place until recognised as the Brazilian only flown a handful of displays Display: The Roulettes perform Southern Cross painted in Argentina’s national later in the year, probably during AF Demonstration Squadron at Brunei’s National Day and the various six-ship formations Official designation: La Escuadrilla colours, although only four or the South American summer in 1954 and began operating 2010 BRIDEX defence exhibition. before splitting into a four- Acrobática Cruz del Sur (Southern five were used for displays. between November and February. T-24s (Fouga Magisters) in 1968, Display: The PC-7s perform ship and a pair, the latter Cross Aerobatic Squadron) Status: The team has begun Pilots 2013: Information but the hot-and-high climate close formation including opposition and Aircraft: 5x IA-63 Pampa II transitioning onto the FMA IA-63 unavailable at the time didn’t suit the aircraft and with twin-trail smoke from synchronised manoeuvres. Base: Mendoza AB Pampa II, receiving its first of six of going to press. it reverted to the T-6 in 1972 electrically-powered generators Trivia: The Roulettes rarely before disbanding in 1977. It in the wings before a final break. perform outside Australia – the was re-formed in 1983 with Pilots 2013: Information only overseas displays in recent T-27s (Tucanos) but overseas Red Devils Brunei - Alap-Alap Formation unavailable at time of press. years having taken place at appearances have been ATUB Belgian Air Component European countries – the re-naming its ‘Hardship Red’ team the Airshow. limited – the USAF’s Golden Air (Composante Aérienne - COMOPSAIR) cost of using front-line of four SF260s formed in 2009. Tattoo at Nellis AFB (1997), a Official designation: Belgian fighters for aerobatic teams Display: The four SF260s perform Canada Pilots 2013 brief 2005 tour of Portugal and The Air Force Display Team was becoming prohibitive, close formation aerobatics in Roulette 1 Sqn Ldr Stephen Baker , and RIAT 2008 at RAF officially recognised and named the first aerobatic team to perform Aircraft: 4 x SIAI so in 1965 it re-equipped ‘box’ and ‘swan’ patterns before Roulette 2 Flt Lt Andreas Jacobs . In 2012 the EdF began Official designation: 431 Air the Snowbirds. It flew in the 1988 inside the Arctic Circle, flying at Marchetti SF260M with the Fouga Magister. splitting into three aircraft receiving new Super Tucanos. Demonstration Squadron Winter Olympics opening ceremony midnight – in daylight – at Inuvik. It Roulette 3 Flt Lt Andrew Lynch Base: Beauvechain AB Displays continued around and a solo. These elements Display: Following an opening Aircraft: 9 x Canadair CT-114 Tutor and in 2001 became the first jet has only performed outside North Roulette 4 Flt Lt Jay Tuffley History: The Red Devils (also until budget cuts led to then carry out basic formation seven-ship loop and break, Base: CB Moose Jaw display team to have a woman America once (Mexico in 1994). Roulette 5 Flt Lt Colin Burrows known as Diables Rouges) its disbandment in late 1977. and solo manoeuvres. there follows a varied series History: The Snowbirds’ origins pilot, Lt Maryse Carmichael, who was formed in 1957 with four To mark its 65th anniversary Pilots 2013: Information Roulette 6 Flt Lt Steve English of manoeuvres mixing lie in the CT-114-equipped Golden returned in 2010 as its commander. Pilots 2013 Hunter F4s. By the 1960s – as in 2011, the Belgian air force unavailable at the time Roulette 7 (r) Flt Lt Shaun Rajzbaum formations, synchronised Centennaires, formed in 1967 Display: All nine Tutors spend Snowbird 1 Maj Wayne Mott was happening in many other resurrected the ‘Red Devils’ by of going to press. flying and breaks by different to mark Canada’s centenary. the first half of the display Snowbird 2 Capt Padruig MacIntosh numbers of aircraft including The Centennaires’ leader was together before breaking into Snowbird 3 Capt Iain Cummings pairs, four-ships and a solo. determined to keep an aerobatic a group of seven – which itself Snowbird 4 Capt Gregg Wiebe Trivia: Set a Guinness World team going, and under his splits into smaller groups for Snowbird 5 Capt Trevor Shawaga Record in October 2009 by leadership in 1970-71 Tutors certain manoeuvres – and a flying eleven aircraft (the from 2 Canadian Forces Flying pair. Signature manoeuvres Snowbird 6 Capt Denis Bandet seven display examples plus Training Squadron unofficially include the display opener, a Snowbird 7 Capt Regan Wickett four spares) inverted in close Snowbird 8/ performed at various nine-Tutor line-abreast pass and Capt Guillaume Paquet formation for 30 seconds. events. The formation grew in size the Maple formation to represent Opposing Solo Snowbird 9/ to seven as a display was gradually Canada’s national symbol. Capt Brent Handy Pilots 2013 formulated. In 1975 the team was Trivia: In 1974 The Snowbirds was Lead Solo Lt Col Marcelo Gobett Leader Cardoso Capt Marcelo Oliveira Right da Silva/Capt Eduardo Wing Maia Arantes Exterior Maj Álvaro Escobar Right Wing Verissimo Capt Murillo Nagib de Left Wing Oliveira Boery/Capt André Fabiano da Silva Capt João Igor Silva Exterior Pivovar/Capt Fabricio Left Wing Carvalho Maj Imaro Reno Faria/ ‘Ferrolho’/ Capt Marcos Mendes Bolt Conrado Veiga Capt Marcelo Franklin Solo Rodrigues/Capt Nelson Australia - Roulettes Belgium - Red Devils de Araujo Silva Canada - The Snowbirds RAAF BAF DND

2 Military Display Teams of the World - 2013 www.airforcesmonthly.com www.airforcesdaily.com 2013 - Military Display Teams of the World 3 Military display teams of the world 2013

Chile Los Tianzhiyi denmarkBaby Blue Royal Danish Air Force (Danske Flyvevåbnet) Official designation: Royal Danish Air Force Aerobatic Team Aircraft: 4 x Saab T-17 Supporter Base: Karup AB History: Baby Blue’s origins date back to when instructors from the RDAF Flying School performed flypasts with four aircraft over war cemeteries to mark the date of Denmark’s liberation at the end of the Second World War. During the 1980s this evolved into a full display - Los Halcones using T-17 Supporters. The team

FACh mainly appears at events in History: The Chilean AF established Los Halcones primarily appear at and formation manoeuvres, China - Tianzhiyi Denmark and Scandinavia, but (Fuerza Aérea de Chile) Los Halcones in September 1981, Chilean events, it is the most widely alternating with more gyroscopic Chinese Internet occasionally performs in other Nickname: Los Halcones the aim being to use advanced travelled South American military aerobatics from the solo. Western European countries. English translation: The Hawks aerobatics to showcase the Chilean display team, having appeared Trivia: The team’s signature English translation: Sky Wing team established in 2011. Like and orange smoke. The first Display: The four T-17s perform Official designation: Escuadrilla AF and promote air-mindedness in the UK, France, Belgium, manoeuvre involves the Official designation: PLAAF Sky Red Falcon, the Sky Wing’s public demonstration of the passes in various four-ship de Alta Acrobacia Halcones in the country. It was equipped , Canada and the USA. Extras drawing the Chilean Wing Air Demonstration Team pilots are flying instructors – in team was on September 1, 2011 formations before a break. (Hawks High Aerobatic Squadron) with five Pitts S2A Special , Display: Formation aerobatics national symbol of a five- Aircraft: 6 x Nanchang CT-6 this case from the Chinese Air at Aviation Open Day held in Trivia: The T-17 is difficult to Aircraft: 5 x Extra EA300L later replaced by upgraded S2Ss. by four Extras are followed by a point star in smoke. Base: Jinzhou-Xiaolingzi Force University in Changchun. Changchun City in Jilin province. fly in formation, especially Base: Comodoro Arturo It switched to the Extra EA300 solo from the fifth aircraft. The Pilots 2013: Information Air Force Base The CT-6s, painted in a similar Pilots 2013: Information in turbulent conditions. Merino Benítez International in 1990, itself superseded by the four-ship breaks into two pairs, unavailable at the time Team history: Sky Wing is the colour scheme to August 1st’s unavailable at the time Pilots 2013: Information unavailable Airport, Santiago Extra EA300L in 2003. Although each performing synchronised of going to press. second PLAAF air demonstration J-10s, produce white, purple of going to press. at the time of going to press.

China Ba Yi Krila Oluje egypt Silver Stars People’s Liberation and Army Air Force Air Defence (Hrvatsko Ratno (Zhongguó Rénmín Zrakoplovstvo i Protuzracna Obrana) Jiefàngjun Kongjun) English translation: English translation: August 1st Official designation: Official designation: Croatian PLAAF August 1st Air Air Force Aerobatic Team Demonstration Team Aircraft: 6 x Pilatus PC-9Ms Aircraft: 6 x Chengdu J-10 Base: Zemunik AB Base: Yangchun Air Force Base History: Krila Oluje was estab- History: August 1st was lished in 2004 by instructors at established in 1962 and the Croatian AF’s main training initially flew the Shenyang base at Zemunik. Its first display J-5 before using variants of was the opening ceremony of the the Chengdu J-7. Westerners China - rED FALCON European Sailing Championships Chinese Internet got first sight of the team at in . In 2009 the team the inaugural Airshow China expanded from the original Denmark - Baby Blue Egypt - Silver Stars China AVEX in 1996. In 2009 its mounts Red Falcon four aircraft to six. Its aircraft Cristian Schrik were replaced by the Chengdu Official designation: are standard PC-9Ms from Arab Republic of Egypt J-10, which were painted PLAAF Red Falcon Air Zemunik’s 20-strong inventory Air Force (Al Quwwat in a new predominantly Demonstration Team and therefore do not carry special Al Jawwiya Il Misriya) blue colour scheme. Aircraft: 8 x Nanchang JL-8 display markings or emit smoke. Official designation: Egyptian Display: The six-ship Base: Jinzhou-Xiaolingzi Display: Six-ship loops and Air Force Aerobatic Team formation breaks into a four- Air Force Base rolls precede a split into two Aircraft: 9 x Hongdu K-8E Karakorum ship and a pair. The four-ship Team history: One of two groups of three which feature Base: Belbeis Airport flies formation loops and PLAAF aerobatic teams formed more intricate synchronised, History: The Egypt Air Force formed passes and the pair carries in 2011, Red Falcon comprises opposition and solo manoeuvres. the Silver Stars in the mid-1970s out a head-on break and an eight Nanchang JL-8 jet trainers Unusual figures include a three- and initially flew four L-29 Delfins opposition cross. The J-10 from the 3rd Flying Academy. aircraft synchronised tail-slide before switching to Alpha Jets is then shown in high- and The aircraft are predominantly and a triple-mirror formation. in 1984. The team subsequently slow-speed configuration white and produce white, expanded to nine aircraft. The K-8E before a concluding break. Pilots 2013 blue, yellow and red smoke. arrived in 2004. The Silver Stars’ Trivia: The team is named Display: All eight JL-8s perform 1/Leader Maj Matija Vrđuka pilots are all flying instructions after the founding date passes in different formations 2 Maj Nenad Hasnek with the Egyptian Air Academy. of the People’s Liberation before a pair splits away. These 3 Capt Josip Čolak Display: The team’s display Army in 1927. elements then alternate, 4 Capt Edvard Krišto features aircraft flying in different Pilots 2013: Information performing formation formation shapes along with solo unavailable at the time 5 Capt Siniša Hucika passes, synchronised manoeuvres, with the aircraft of going to press. 6 Capt Božen Tadić China - bA YI manoeuvres and breaks. Croatia - Krila Oluje trailing white, red and blue smoke. Antonio PrlendaAntonio Wikipedia/Yuxuan1122

4 Military Display Teams of the World - 2013 www.airforcesmonthly.com www.airforcesdaily.com 2013 - Military Display Teams of the World 5 6 yellow colour scheme on the on the scheme colour yellow and A black service. French in hour flying 100,000th TB-30’s the mark to 1989 in formed History: Base: spare) (plus Epsilon A E l’Air) de (Armée F Finland Finland -MidnightHawks France r nglish translation: Military display teamsoftheworld four-ship displays for Kauhava’s subsequently began flying Forcethe Air Academy. They displays among instructors at interest in formation aerobatic Magisters in 1961 revived History: The arrival of Fouga KauhavaBase: AB Hawk Mk51 Aircraft: 4 x BAE Systems ForceAerobatic Team Air Official designation: Finnish (Suomen Ilmavoimat) Force Finnish Air ircraft: en Military Display Teams of the World -2013 World the of Teams Display Military BA709 Cognac BA709 Cognac A ch Cartouche Doré was 3 x Socata TB-30 TB-30 3 x Socata i r Fo Cartouche DoréCartouche Midnight Hawks rc e

Golden Patrol Golden Display: Display: UK. the and Belgium in appearances with years, recent in overseas perform to started only It has scheme. colour blue dark a new received a spare) plus ships display (three aircraft four team’s the 2012 In 1995. in unit display AF French official an became team the Subsequently name. the inspired aircraft Trivia: manoeuvre and a head-on break. opposition passes, a corkscrew passes in basic formations, display features loops and Display: The Midnight Hawks a greater visual impact. ‘smokewinders’ fitted to provide have recently had twin Hawks. The team’s aircraft the team was named Midnight in 1986 and in the mid-1990s Hawks replaced the Magisters annual Midnight Sun Airshow. The team makes few Close formation formation Close France -CartoucheDore

AdlA Poland planned for later in 2013. (2012) with a return to (2009), (2011) and (2004), Netherlands (2006), Poland overseas: Austria (2000), the UK has only displayed at six locations appearances outside Finland. It 2013 With thanks to Pierre-Alain Antoine Pierre-Alain to thanks With break. a final then loop, a caterpillar manoeuvres, solo and opposition into lead a split and passes loops, Pilots 2013 Slot WingRight Left Wing Leader Left Wing WingRight Leader Pilots 2013 France -Patrouille deFrance Ltt Cédric Ollivier Butin Ltt Bertrand Capitaine DamienDepayras Capt Henrik VäreHenrik Capt Capt Marc Fuss VormistoHenri Capt Capt JonneHovilainen

FinAF France affectionately known as ‘Smurfs’. Trivia: before a final break. perform various manoeuvres into smaller groups to precede the team splitting Display: leader, Cmdt Virginie Guyot. the first to appoint a female and in November 2009 became (2004) and South America (2009), military team to display in China The PdF was the first European Jets arrived for the 1982 season. using Fouga Magisters. Alpha created at the École de l’Air and in 1964 a full-time unit was de France’. The name stuck referred to them as the ‘Patrouille , where the commentator were performing at an event in 1953 four AdlA Republic F-84Fs its 60th anniversary in May. In in the world, the PdF celebrates History: One of the oldest teams Base: Dornier Alpha Jet E Aircraft: 8 x Dassault-Breguet/ Acrobatique de France Official designation: Patrouille l’Air de (Armée - F Athos 9 Athos 8 Athos 7 Athos 6 Athos 5 Athos 4 Athos 3 Athos 2 Leader Athos 1/ Pilots 2013 r en A ch BA701 Salon de Provence New pilotsontheteamare Formation aerobatics (S) Capt Antoine Hauser LeroyCapt William Capt Phillipe Castagnet PlantierCapt Vincent Capt GuillaumeSmets Herpin Capt JeanMichel Aubert Capt Hervé Capt OlivierBlanc-Tailleur Nal Cmdt Raphaël i r Fo de France de Patrouille www.airforcesmonthly.com AdlA) rc e

AdlA Mk53s. These were merged into F-16s and Jupiter with Hawk display teams – Elang Biru with had two History: For many years the Yogyakarta Airport, Base: A Team Aerobatic Force Air O Udara) - Angkatan Indonesia Nasional De I www.airforcesdaily.com ndone Indonesia -Jupiter Aerobatic Team -Sarang Indonesia India fficial designation: fficial Sarang was created using aircraft by demonstrating the HAL Dhruv, capabilities and promote the IAF showcase India’s aerospace History: Formed in 2003 to Base: A Team Display Force O E Vayu(Bharatiya Sena) I ircraft: n f nglish translation: Peacock nglish translation: fficial designation: fficial ircraft: en ian A dian Adisucipto International International Adisucipto c Yelahanka AB Yelahanka e -A s 6 x KAI KT-1 6 x KAI Woong Bee ian N Sarang 4 x HAL Dhruv Dhruv 4 x HAL i r i r Fo rc Fo a t Jupiter Aerobatic Team Aerobatic Jupiter rc ional e e Indonesian Indonesian e Indian Air Air Indian (Tentara (Tentara Display: Display: in Indonesia’s national colours. when the aircraft were repainted growing to six aircraft in 2010 from the RAAF Roulettes before Squadron 102. It received training four instructors from Training the Jupiter team using KT-1s and Indonesian Air Force re-activated to its disbandment. In 2008 the F-16s. A fatal accident in 2002 led comprising three Hawks and two the Jupiter Blue team in 2001 events and , Sarang has to performing at Indian military as 151 Helicopter Unit. In addition granted official status in the IAF which preceded the team being show, Singapore, first public display was at the 2004 service entry in 2002. Sarang’s operational trials prior to its had undertaken the Dhruv’s Helicopter Evaluation that and pilots from the Attack Light Loops and passes in in passes and Loops unavailable at time of press. of at time unavailable 2013:Pilots a synchronised . where three Dhruvs perform unusual being the ‘Dolphin Leap’ a range of manoeuvres, the most other three. The display includes in between a formation of the leader then splits and reverses four Dhruvs in formation, the Display: displayed in the UAE and the UK. the press. time to going of at unavailable Information 2013:Pilots instructors’ call-sign. AF’s Indonesian the from comes team’sThe name Trivia: manoeuvres. synchronised completes four-ship formation the while passes opposition flies latter The routines. separate performing pair and a four-ship with break a into lead formations various

Opening with the Opening with the Information Information

2013 Key - Gary Parsons - Military Display Teams of the World the of Teams Display -Military Israel Israel -Aerobatic Team Isr of going to press. to going of time at the unavailable 2013:Pilots events. ceremonial other and Day Open IAF annual the AB, Hatzerim at days graduation pilot on Trivia: break. bomb-burst a concluding before rolls, barrel and loops including aerobatics, box-four formation Display: II. Texan Beechcraft Hawker the by replaced when 2010 September until operated was Tzukit The days. graduation pilot academy’s at the perform createdwas specifically to It AB. at Hatzerim Academy Flight Force Air Israel the at Magister) Fouga French the of version produced (a locally aircraft Tzukit IAI and instructors four using 1973 in established History: Base: Beechcraft Texan II A [or Ha’Avir]) Heyl Ha’Avir(Zroa Ve’Hahalal ircraft: ael A ael Hatzerim AB Hatzerim It flies exclusively It flies This team was was team This 4 x Hawker 4 x Hawker The team performs performs team The i r &S Team Aerobatic Israel Information Information p a c e Fo rc e

7 Dietmar Fenners IASF 8 - -FrecceTricolori jordan Italy Military display teamsoftheworld spectators and precipitated the spectators and precipitated the Ramstein tragedy, which killed 70 the Frecce was involved in the tour of North America. In 1988 undertook its first, and so far only, 1983 season and in 1986 the team replaced the G-91PAN for the colourful routine. The MB339PAN renowned for its flamboyant and G-91PAN and quickly became F-86 before moving onto the Fiat years flying the North American fighter wings. The team spent two operated by individual frontline aerobatic team, replacing those 1, 1961 as the AMI’s dedicated was formed at Rivolto on March History: Base: MB339PAN Aircraft: Squadron) (Aerobatic Demonstration Addestramento Acrobatico Acrobatica Nazionale/313° Gruppo Official designation: Pattuglia Three-coloured arrows English translation: (Aeronautica Militare Italiana) It e Force alian Air Military Display Teams of the World -2013 World the of Teams Display Military Rivolto AB,Udine The Frecce TricoloriThe Frecce Tricolori 10 x Aermacchi 10

Royal Jordanian Falcons Jordanian Royal ‘’ sung by Pavarotti. colours of the Italian flag set to with nine MB339s smoking the flying’. The display concludes ‘Lomcevak’ and low-level ‘crazy latter includes the distinctive solos from the tenth aircraft. The manoeuvres, interspersed with various splits and formation five and four, which perform team separates into groups of ten-ship formation loop the Display: After an opening Western European airshows. safety rules which now apply at Pony 10 Pony 9 Pony 8 Pony 7 Pony 6 Pony 5 Pony 4 Pony 3 Pony 2 Pony 1 Pony 0 Pilots 2013 (Solo) Cpt(Solo) Fabio Capodano Stefano Vit Capt Capt Stefano Centioni Capt Pierangelo Semproniel Capt Marco Zoppitelli Gheser Capt Vigilio Capt Bortoluzzi Mattia Capt Filippo Barbero FarinaCapt Gaetano (Leader) Capt Mirco Caffell JanSlangen Cmdr) Magg (Sqn

Key - Gary Parsons Pierpaolo Maglio 2013 also grew to four aircraft. In 2007 colour scheme, when the number 1992 by Extra 300s, wearing a new Specials. These were replaced in three, Pitts S2A (and latterly S2S) team was equipped with two, later ambassadors for Jordan. The Hussein Bin Talal to act as roving in 1978 at the express wish of King Jordanian Airlines. It was formed the aircraft are owned by Royal areengineers RJAF personnel, but force and airline – the pilots and joint venture between Jordan’s air History: Base: Aircraft: 4 x Extra 300L Aerobatics TeamNational Official designation: Jordanian Almalakiya al-Urduniya) (al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya Royal Jord -BlueImpulse Japan T-4s arrived in late 1995. late in T-4s arrived Kawasaki before 1982 from T-2s operated were Mitsubishi Six smoke. with sky the in rings giant five drew team the Olympics Tokyo 1964 the At scheme. paint blue and white a received aircraft the when 1961 in Impulse Blue renamed was team The year. that Japan to visit Thunderbirds’ USAF the by inspired being after 1959 in Tenryu called team formation F-86F a five-ship History: Base: A Force Aerobatic Team Defense Self Air Japan O rc Fo Ja fficial designation: designation: fficial ircraft: p an A an Aqaba e Matsushima AB Matsushima The team is an unusual The team is an unusual

(Nihon Koku Jieitai) Koku (Nihon 6 x Kawasaki T-4 6 x Kawasaki The JASDF formed formed JASDF The i r Sel Blue anian f De Air Force f en s e e

inverted push-out from a loop. One unusual manoeuvre is an four aircraft re-join for the finale. with solo aerobatics before the three-ship figures interspersed ship aerobatics are followed by Display: displayed in Indonesia and the US. a European tour. It has also time each year isspent undertaking mission means most of the Falcons’ their home region and the team’s A comparative lack of airshows in newer Extra 300Ls were received. of going to press. to going of time at the unavailable 2013:Pilots Japan. outside display only Impulse’s Blue the remains 1997 in AFB Nellis at Tattoo Air Golden USAF’s Trivia: six-ship gear-down pass. manoeuvres before a concluding are more four-ship and pair pointed star in the sky. There by five T-4s drawing a five- formation, which is followed aircraft perform patterns in delta opposition figures. All six for several synchronised and One solo joins the four-ship with solos by the other two T-4s. by a four-ship interspersed display begins with manoeuvres Display: The Blue Impulse Slot/Solo WingRight Left Wing Leader Director Pilots 2013 An appearance at the at the appearance An Close formation four- Maj NofanAlghrairMaj Capt ShadiAl-Arabi Capt Ma’abreh Mohammad Capt Abdel HameedMacknay Al Jaloudi Mohammed Information Information www.airforcesmonthly.com

Anno Gravemaker www.airforcesdaily.com venture – the aircraft are owned the team is a military-civilian Like the Royal Jordanian Falcons, ethnic harmony in the country. to promote national unity and 1Malaysia programme, which aims aerobatic team as part of its permanent professional national establish the country’s first government announced it would History: In 2011 the Malaysian Base: RMAF Butterworth Aircraft: 4 x Extra EA300 Display TeamAerial Official designation: 1Malaysia Malaysia Malaysia -KRISAKTI Malaysia -SMOKEYBANDITS only appearing at national at national appearing only displays, few performs team The at Kuantan. Squadron 17 from pilots and aircraft using 1997 in established was History: Base: A Force Aerobatic Team Air Malaysian Royal O Udara(Tentera Diraja Malaysia) Royal Malay fficial designation: designation: fficial ircraft: Kuantan AB 6 x MiG-29N/NUB 6 x MiG-29N/NUB The Smokey Bandits Bandits Smokey The s Krisakti Bandits Smokey ian A ian i r Fo rc e e smoke before a concluding break. tail-slides. There’s a heart formed by manoeuvres including synchronised opposition, solo and synchronised four formation before splitting for loops, barrel rolls andpassesinabox- Display: at other national events. 2011 and has performed there and The team made its debut at LIMA symbolising the 1Malaysia concept. different ethnic groups, thereby Malaysian Air Force personnel from company, and the pilots are Royal by Aerotree, a defence services four-ship then separates into into separates then four-ship The MiGs. four other the by a formation before aircraft solo the by a pass with Display: Brunei. in exhibition BRIDEX at the 2010 in Malaysia outside appearance debut its made Bandits Smokey The at Sepang. Prix Grand Malaysia One Formula annual the and at Langkawi airshow LIMA events, Malaysia’s biennial The display comprises The display comprises The display begins begins display The of going to press. to going of time at the unavailable 2013:Pilots engines. MiG-29’s the by sky the in left trail smoke distinctive the from comes Trivia: break. a final before flypast, gear-down a formation including four-ship, the by passes further and a solo by followed is pass opposition An breaks. perform both which pairs, two symbol representing a sacred dagger. name from a Malaysian national pilots. Krisakti takes its Blades, a team made up of former in the UK from members of The Trivia: Sakti 4 Sakti 3 Sakti 2 Sakti 1 Sakti Ldr Exc Tm Pilots 2013 The team’s name team’s The name The pilots received training Maj Mej Abdul Rahim BinJusoh Abdul Rahim Mej Maj ShamsulShahreenMej Zainal Ezal Mohamad Maj Imran Mohd Maj Yeap Abdullah Dato HalimOthman Information Information 2013 Alan Worsley Alan Worsley - Military Display Teams of the World the of Teams Display -Military -MARCHEVERTE Morocco of going to press. to going of time at the unavailable 2013:Pilots Sahara. the of territories disputed over hand to Spain against Morocco in demonstration 1975 the after Trivia: before a final break. manoeuvres synchronised and solo opposition, formation, of a number follows There ropes. the snapping and formation tied together before breaking loops formation perform and off take aircraft The ropes. by together tied aircraft its with fly currently to team display only Display: UAE. the and Netherlands the Belgium, UK, the in displayed also It has airshows. French at appears frequently team the Morocco, in events to addition In 2002-2003. during CAP232 onto the transitioned It aircraft. seven finally and six four, five, to progressively grew and CAP230s/231s to subsequently re-equipped Verte Marche Fairford. at RAF Tattoo Air International 1987 the being displays first the of one aircraft, aerobatic CAP10B two with It began Otelli. Michel Jean pilot, aerobatic a French by supervised was development team’s The initial II. Hassan King of order the on 1987 in formed History: International Airport Base: CAP232 Mudry A Morocco) of [or team] Patrol Acrobatique (Aerobatic Maroc O E Marakishiya) al-Malakiya rc Fo Mo nglish: fficial designation: fficial ircraft: r o Marrakech-Menara e cc s The team is named named is team The

Marche Verte was is the the is Verte Marche (al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Jawwiya (al-Quwwat 7 x Avions 7 x Avions an Royal A Information Information Verte Marche Patrouille Patrouille i r 9 Key - Gary Parsons 10 markings worn on the aircraft. red-and-white chequerboard nose Trivia: The name is from the the team re-joins for a final break. synchronised manoeuvres before four-ship splits into two pairs for alternate with solo aerobatics. The off. Four-ship formations then leads to one aircraft breaking Display: designation within the RNZAF. history, it still doesn’t have an official in 2011 as a five-ship. Despite a long grounded, but it resumed displays 2010 led to the Red Checkers being Two accidents, one fatal, in early when the team expanded to six. CT-4Es have been used since 1999 fifth being added later. Upgraded in 1980 on four CT-4B Airtrainers, a banding in 1973, but was re-activated It displayed for six years before dis the RNZAF’s Flight Training School. established on Harvards in 1967 at History: Base: CT-4E Airtrainer Aircraft: Royal NewZealand Display Director Checkers Six Checkers Five Checkers Four Checkers Three Checkers Two Checkers One Pilots 2013 Poland Military display teamsoftheworld scheme worn by its aircraft. the trainer it flies and the colour Iskry, the team is named after History: Known better as Team Deblin AB Base: Aircraft: 7 x PZL TS-11 Iskra ForceAerobatic Team Air Official designation: Polish Sparks and White English translation: Red Polskiej)Rzeczypospolitej Force Polish Air Military Display Teams of the World -2013 World the of Teams Display Military RNZAF Base Ohakea The Red Checkers was The Red Checkers was A five-ship arrival 5 x Pacific Aerospace Biało-Czerwone Iskry WO Ash Wilson WO CatoFlt Lt Robert Flt Lt Jimmy Davidson LdrSqn Alcock Matt Flt Lt Matt Walls Flt Anderson Lt Stuart LdrSqn Oliver Bint (Sily Powietrzne Red Checkers Red Air Force - cross-over. There follows solo formations before a split and passes are performed in different Display: Loops, barrel rolls and overseas displays are infrequent. around Europe since, although as a seven-ship. It has displayed cockpit upgrades, resuming in 2000 in 1998 while its TS-11s received years later. It was stood down the team expanded to nine two Formed in 1991 with four aircraft, New Zealand-redcheckers unavailable at time of press. unavailable at time of Pilots 2013:Information formation aerobatics. it is difficult to fly close and hydraulic controls means Trivia: involving all seven aircraft. break leads into a cross-over and synchronised figures. A aircraft flying various formation and groups of three and four manoeuvres, opposition passes 2013 Poland -Bialo-CzerwoneIskry The TS-11’s low power

Mike Jorgensen

Key - Gary Parsons Sherdils - Pakistan unavailable at time of press. of at time unavailable 2013:Pilots (2010). China Airshow and (2007) UAE the in Show Aerobatics Ain Al the included have Sherdils Trivia: a bomb-burst. performing before formation, in rolls barrel and passes loops, of display sedate relatively Display: performed as a four-ship. recently the Sherdils have only members to cope with” and excessive for the outer formation thrust demands were “engine to the PAF’s official website, aircraft. However, according expansion to eight and then nine the mid-2000s, preceding an the joint K-8 Karakorum in adopted. The Sherdils received red and blue paint scheme was 1980 when the current white, from 1974. It expanded to six in began using the name Sherdils team of four Cessna T-37s, which Academy at Risalpur formed a Flying Training Wing of the PAF History: Base: K-8 Karakorum A Team Aerobatics Academy O Hearts Lion E Fiza’ya)(Pakistan Paki nglish translation: PAF PAF designation: fficial ircraft: st PAF Risalpur Overseas displays by the the by displays Overseas an A an In 1972 the Basic In 1972 the Basic The team flies a a flies team The 4 x Hongdu Hongdu x 4 Information Information www.airforcesmonthly.com i r Fo Sherdils rc

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John Andrews www.airforcesdaily.com at Airshow China and already already and China at Airshow it appeared 2012 – in years many for than regularly more overseas itperformed has recently More show. MAKS biennial at the as , the with display composite a in sometimes and aircraft six to four from anything with performs It now months. 18 for team the grounding Malaysia, to route en while in crashed team’s aircraft the of two 1995 December In parades. official and events at Russian as well as Canada and USA the Europe, in at airshows displayed It subsequently UK. the of tour a brief with later months five time first the for overseas performed and 1991 April in established was History: Base: 2 x Su-27UB and A MO i VI GTsPAP 4th O Knights Russian E (Voyenno-Vozdushniye Sily) Russian Air Russia Poland -TeamOrlik Poland nglish translation: nglish translation: precede a solo breaking away, passes in various formations Display: Loops, barrel rolls and it returned in 2011 as a six-ship. to be stood down for a year, but cuts caused Budget Team Orlik to nine, before down-sizing. from six aircraft its original returned to airshows and grew continued to perform after Iskry down for aircraft upgrades. It tive while Team Iskry was stood replacement national representa established in 1998, initially as a History: Base: Aircraft: 6 x PZL-130 Orlik TC-II ForceAerobatic Team Air Official designation: Polish TsPAT TsPAT designation: fficial ircraft: AB Kubinka Radom AB The Knights Russian The 4 x Sukhoi Su-27P Su-27P 4 x Sukhoi Team Orlik was Russkiye Vityazi Russkiye Team Orlik Team Force

- equipped withupgraded avionics. TC-II version of the PZL-130 Trivia: Team Orlik now flies the solo aerobatics and a final break. opposition passes before more create a smoke heart and perform splits down into smaller groups to section. This formation then with manoeuvres by the main with aerobatics interspersed given for their arrival. their for given been has timescale no though Su-35Cs, and Su-30CMs receive media reported the team would Trivia: routines. individual own their before separating and giving together flying teams both involves the with display composite The manoeuvres. opposition and formation fly respectively which applicable), as (or solo, a pair and before breaking into a box-four formation close in passes and Display: Malaysia. in LIMA and India at Aero displayed has 2013 in Wing Far Right FarLeft Wing Slot WingRight Commander TeamDeputy Left Wing/ Leader Pilots 2013 Solo R Wg Outer Wg R L Wg Outer Wg L Ldr Pilots 2013 In December 2012 Russian Russian 2012 December In The team performs loops loops performs team The Capt Stańczyk Dariusz Osys Capt Robert Anielak Lt Michał Czerwiec Lt Michał Kidacki Capt Krzysztof Capt Stachurski Dariusz Major Denis Plaksin Denis Major Lt Col Sergey Shcheglov Lt Col OlegErofeev Bogdan Lt Col Alexander Lt Col Vitaly Melnikov Lt Col Andrey Alekseyev Strizhy

Key - Gary Parsons moving to Esquadra 552 in 1982 pilots from Esquadra 102 until consisted of four Alouettes and was established in 1976 and History: Beja AB Base: Alouette III Aircraft: 3 x Sud Aviation Display TeamHelicopter Official designation: National Rotors of Portugal English translation: (ForçaPortuguesa) Aérea PORTUGUESE AIR Russia -Russkiye Vityazi Russia -berkuty Portugal -RotoresdePortugal Russia Portugal team re-appeared as a six-ship team re-appeared as a six-ship MAKS airshow. In 2012 the events including the biennial Hinds varying numbers of Mi-24 in 1992 and performed with History: Base: Aircraft: Golden Eagles English translation: (Voyenno-Vozdushniye Sily) Russian Air at major Russian aviation at major Russian aviation Torzhok AB Rotores de Portugal Rotores de Portugal The team was established The team was established 5 x Mi-28 5 x Mi-28 Berkuty Force Rotores de Portugal de Rotores FORCE

2013 Alouette III display team. Trivia: synchronised and solo manoeuvres. a solo, which respectively fly before splitting into a pair and formation passes and hovering Display: The display includes mainly at Portuguese events. Alouettes and continues to display 2005 on Esquadra 552 with three in 1994. It was re-activated in in 1991 before disbandment team moved to Esquadra 111 and down-sizing to two. The team flying attack . Trivia: Currently the only display breaks and opposition flying. with synchronised hovering, manoeuvres, interspersed Mi-28s carry out more formation before a pair breaks away. Four all six helicopters in formation Display: Airshow at Zhukovsky. Air Force’s 100th Anniversary and displayed at the Russian operating the new Mil Mi-28 - Military Display Teams of the World the of Teams Display -Military The world’s last remaining The display begins with The display begins with Havoc

11

Key - Gary Parsons Key - Gary Parsons FAP 12 of going to press. to going of time at the unavailable 2013:Pilots 2009. in Thailand in Singapore, outside once performed Trivia: aircraft. six all by bomb-burst a final before follows heart smoke A other. each with alternative which a pair and a four-ship into splitting before formations various in rolls barrel and loops Display: events. military and ceremonial national and show Aerospace Asian at Singapore’s displays F-16s. It six regularly with 2008 in re-appeared team the of de-activation a period After F-16s. two and A-4SUs four of a mix operated 2000 from and Skyhawks A-4SU six to switched Knights Black the 1990 In Tigers. F-5E five to it changed when 1983 until Hunters four It flew Day. Force Air 1976 Singapore on June in at display first its giving 1975, late in formed History: Base: A Force Aerobatic Team Air Singapore of Republic O A Re Russia Black Knights Singapore Military display teamsoftheworld ‘Normandie-Niemen’ squadron. squadron. ‘Normandie-Niemen’ Force’s Air French the of anniversary 50th the mark to appearance was in France in 1992 public first Its events. private both were year following the Sweden Uppsala, and Kubinka at displays, first Its 1990. in History: Base: Mikoyan MiG-29A/UB A MO i VI GTsPAP 4th O E Russian Air fficial designation: designation: fficial ircraft: i r p nglish translation: Swifts nglish translation: TsPAT TsPAT designation: fficial ircraft: rc Fo Military Display Teams of the World -2013 World the of Teams Display Military u b Tengah AFB Tengah li Kubinka AB Kubinka The team has only only has team The 6 x Lockheed Martin F-16A Martin 6x Lockheed The Black Knights was was Knights Black The c o The display comprises comprises display The e The Swifts was formed formed was Swifts The Up to 6 x 6 x to Up Information Information f Singa Strizhi orce Force p o r e e smaller groups for formation formation for groups smaller into it breaks before passes and rolls barrel loops, formation involving Knights, Russian the Display: Knights. Russian the with display a composite in appears often and aircraft five or four displays it typically Today 2003. in scheme paint blue and red white, a new received MiGs team’s The MAKS. as such events and flypasts Square Red in and Finland Thailand, Malaysia, Belgium, in shows at appeared It subsequently - Hawks Singapore -Black Knights A similar display to to display A similar release flares during its routine. its during flares release Swifts the Knights, Russian the with As figures. solo and 2013 Maj Dmitry Zubkov Dmitry Maj Lt Col IgorSokolov Selivano Dmitry Maj Ryzhevolov Dmitri Maj Col Alexander Petrov Lt Col Sergei Osyaykin Col Selyutin Viktor Markovic Kuznetsov Denis Maj Koposov Col Dmitry Pilots 2013 Russia -Strizhi

Wikipedia/Kok Leng Yeo Key - Gary Parsons Saudi Hawks Saudi Arabia Saudi national symbol in the sky. their smoke trails drawing the upwards andtwo otherscrossing, involving four aircraft breaking manoeuvre is the ‘Saudi Logo’, Trivia: including the Synchro Pair. more dynamic manoeuvres, groups of aircraft performing aerobatics followed by smaller Red Arrows format of formation display closely resembles the Display: performing at UK events in 2012. first European tour in 2011 and the Middle East, undertaking its and other major airshows in displays at events in Saudi Arabia on exchange as advisors since. It Arrows pilots have been posted January 1999 and several ex-Red pilot. Itsfirstpublic display was in overseen by a former Red Arrows established in 1998 with training History: The team was Base: King Faisal AB Aircraft: 6 x BAE Hawk Mk65 ForceSaudi Air Aerobatic Team Official designation: Royal al-Malakiya as Sa’udiya) (al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya Royal Sau di Saudi 6 Saudi 5 Saudi 4 Saudi 3 Saudi 2 Saudi 1 Saudi Pilots 2013 The team’s signature Al-Sahli Capt binAbdullah Saud al-Shahrani binAbdullah Saeed Maj binAbdi AnziCapt Mishaal Maj Waleed binAbdulrahman Owais Capt Fahad BinSultanAl Nahsai Lt Col HamidiBen Yahia The Saudi Hawks The Saudi Hawks www.airforcesmonthly.com Air Force

RSAF Republic OfK Cessna T-37Cs. Its first displays full-time aerobatic team flying six 1994 when the RoKAF created a title was resurrected inDecember displayed from 1966 to 1978. The Northrop F-5As (later RF-5As) that was first applied to a team of seven History: Base: Aircraft: 8 x KAI T-50B Golden Eagle Demonstration Group Aerobatic Team/53rd Air Official designation: RoKAF Dae Han Min Guk Kong Goon]) Force www.airforcesdaily.com South korea -Black Eagles South Africa- South Africa South Korea inauguration in 1995. With the Nelson Mandela’s Presidential to five in 1988 and performed at the following year. It expanded MB326), and gave its first displays arrival of the Atlas Impala (Macchi formed in 1966 following the History: The Silver Falcons was Langebaanweg Base: AFB MkII Astra PC-7 Aircraft: 5 x Pilatus ForceAfrican Air Aerobatic Team Official designation: South (Suid-Afrikaanse Lugmag) South Afric Wonju AB (Han-guk Kong Goon [or The Black Eagles name orea e Force an Air Air Silver Falcons Silver Black Eagles Black

synchronised, opposition and perform a range of formation, into smaller groups which where the formation separates break leads into a second half various formations. A bomb-burst loops, barrel rolls and passes in eight T-50Bs Display:perform The the RoKAF’s 60th anniversary. displayed with it in 2009 to mark for display purposes, and first of the Golden Eagle developed KAI the indigenous T-50B, a version 2007-2008 theteam moved onto national and military events. In were in 1995, appearing at Korean followed by a split and various five-ship formation aerobatics, Display: will still maintain currency. schedule has been axed, but pilots cuts the team’sto budget 2013 with the loss of all aboard. Due in the Drakensberg Mountains C-47 support aircraft crashed December 2012 its dedicated regained a fifth aircraft 2008. In as a four-ship in 1999 then it PC-7 MkII led to its re-activation disbanded, but the arrival of the Impala’s retirement, the team was The team performs The team performs

RoKAF falcon shape on the fuselage. paint scheme with a stylised distinctive dark blue and white re-painted in 2008 into their Trivia: The PC-7 Mk IIs were opposition and solo manoeuvres. formation, synchronised, flag in the sky with smoke. involves drawing the Korean Trivia: solo figures before a final break. Falcon 5 Falcon 4 Falcon 3 Falcon 2 Falcon 1 Pilots 2013 Spain -Patrulla Aguila 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Pilots 2013 Solo Solo Solo Synchro Synchro Slot Wg R Wg L Ldr The signature manoeuvre Maj Beau Skarda Skarda Beau Maj WernerMaj Vermaak Lt Jacques Poolman Gentles Captain Mark Roy SproulMaj Maj NohNam-seon Maj Capt JungChul-woo Capt ShimKyu-yong KoDae-hyup Maj ChoKwang-huiMaj Capt JungJong-duk Capt Lee Sang-wook Jeon Wook-cheon Maj 2013 Christopher Szabo - Military Display Teams of the World the of Teams Display -Military SPain touching down together. landing with all seven aircraft teams to perform a formation Trivia: before re-joining for a final break. a solo for different manoeuvres group of four, a synchro pair and formations. They then split into a rolls and passes in different seven C101s perform loops, barrel Display: During the first half, the displays in their spare time. undertake rehearsal and yellow markings. Its pilots the team received red and mark the 1992 Olympic Games most European countries. To and it has since appeared in display was in 1986 in Belgium Patrulla Águila’s first overseas Force Academy at San Javier. flying instructors from the Air recently-introduced C101 and established in 1985 using the History: The Patrulla Águila was Base: San Javier AB Aircraft: 7 x CASA C101B Aviojet Aerobatic Team National Official designation: English translation: Eagle Patrol del Aire)(Ejército Sp Águila 7 Águila 6 Águila 5 Águila 4 Águila 3 Águila 2 1/Ldr Águila T Cmdr Pilots 2013 e Force anish Air One of the few display Navarro Marín Cmdte Mariano RubiraCmdte Roca Moisés González Cmdte RubénPérez Monleón Cmdte Pedro Martínez Pereira Cmdte Antonio MMonge Cmdte César Piquer Martínez Gutiérrez Santiago Cmdte Antonio Jesús José Ignacio Sánchez-García Ãguila Patrulla 13

EdA Military display teams of the world 2013

Switzerland - Taiwan - Thunder Tiger

Spain - Patrulla ASPA EdA spain Patrulla ASPA Spanish Air Force Display: The five-ship breaks Thailand - English translation: ASPA Patrol into a four-ship and a solo. A RoCAF Korsakul Analayo Official designation: Ala 78 varied display includes four-ship Aircraft: 5 x Eurocopter formations, synchronised figures, Taiwan Thunder Tiger Thailand Blue Phoenix EC120B Colibri hovering, opposition passes, airshow at its home base and it Base: Armilla AB breaks and solo manoeuvres. Republic Of China Air Force and F-5Es (1975-88) before moving (Kongtap Agard Thai) has since participated in various History: Ala 78, the unit which (Chung-Kuo Kung Chuan) to the Air Force Academy in 1988 Official designation: Royal Thai RTAF events including a centenary trains all Spanish armed forces and Pilots 2013 Official designation: and transferring to the indigenous Air Force Aerobatic Team celebration at Don Muang last July. police helicopter pilots, created Cpt Antonio Martínez Republic of China (Taiwan) AT-3. Initially it flew as a six-ship, Aircraft: 6 x PC-9 Mustang Display: Loops and passes are Patrulla ASPA in September 2003, Punto 1 Serrano and Teniente Juan Air Force Aerobatic Team but later expanded to seven. Base: Nakhon Pathom flown in various formation shapes with the team’s first display taking José Villaescusa Adam Aircraft: 7 x AIDC AT-3 Tz-Chiang Display: All seven aircraft perform Kamphang Saen AFB before breaking into a four-ship and place in nearby Seville in May 2004. Cmdte Jose Ángel Alcaráz Base: Tainan AB formation manoeuvres before a Punto 2 Martínez and Capitán History: Blue Phoenix was formed a pair, with each performing further Since then it has mainly appeared History: The team was established solo breaks away. The six-ship Fernando Pérez García in early 2012 using PC-9 basic formation and synchronised at major Spanish air displays. in 1954 with four F-84Gs, later and solo then alternate before the Cmdte Pablo Diego Sánchez flying trainers and instructor manoeuvres. The team then Overseas performances have been Punto 3 and Comandante Carlos I increased to nine. In 1959 it six-ship splits down further into pilots from the 2nd Training re-joins for a concluding break. restricted, but it has appeared at Villalón Árias transferred to the F-86F and in the smaller groups for synchronised events in France, Belgium and Squadron of the RTAF Flying Trivia: Thailand’s first Punto Cpt Miguel Angel Pemau same year its pilots flew to the US and break manoeuvres. Portugal and later in 2013 will Martín and Capitán Roberto where they borrowed USAF F-86s Pilots 2013: Information Training School, in order to mark military aerobatic team. 4/Solo Conde Marcos display in the Czech Republic. The to display at Nellis AFB. Thunder unavailable at the time the Royal Thai Air Force’s 100th Pilots 2013: Information Cpt Ricardo Vidal Díaz and anniversary. A public debut took unavailable at the time team is unusual in having two Punto 5 Tiger later flew F-5As (1967-75) of going to press. pilots trained for each position. Capitán Javier Barranco García place on March 27, 2012 during an of going to press. - Türk Yıldızları UAE - Switzerland - PC-7 Team SAF Switzerland Patrouille Suisse the F-5E begins from the Swiss (Schweizer Luftwaffe) Air Force as it is replaced with English translation: Swiss Patrol the Saab JAS-39E, which has

SAF Official designation: Swiss led to a national outcry. Air Force Aerobatic Team Display: Close-formation loops, Key - Gary Parsons Switzerland Aircraft: 6 x Northrop F-5E Tiger II barrel rolls and passes are followed PC-7 Team Base: Dübendorf AB by a split into a box-four and a

THK UAE History: The Patrouille Suisse pair. The four-ship performs close- Al Fursan Swiss Air Force Malta, Bulgaria and the UK. was established in 1964 as a formation aerobatics while the pair (Schweizer Luftwaffe) Display: Formation manoeuvres United Arab Emirates training with the Frecce Tricolori four-ship Hunter aerobatic team flies opposition, synchronised and Turkey Türk Yıldızları Official designation: Swiss are flown before splitting Air Force & Air Defence in July 2010 and debuted at the to mark the Swiss AF’s 50th solo manoeuvres. All six aircraft in Belgium in 1995. It expanded Air Force Aerobatic Team and performing a range of English translation: The Knights 2011. It displayed anniversary and perform at that re-join for the finale involving the (Türk Hava Kuvvetleri) to eight NF-5As in 2004. Aircraft: 9 x Pilatus NPC-7 synchronised and opposition Official designation: UAE overseas in the UK at RIAT in 2012. year’s Lausanne Expo. A fifth F-5Es simultaneously firing flares. English translation: Display: The first half sees Base: Emmen AB manoeuvres by different-sized National Aerobatic Team Display: The influence of the Hunter was added in 1970 and a Trivia: Several formations are Official designation: Turkish Air the NF-5As performing passes History: The PC-7 Team was groups as well as solo aerobatics Aircraft: 7 x Aermacchi Frecce Tricolori training is sixth followed in 1978 for the first named after Swiss national Force Air Demonstration Team in various formation shapes formed in 1989 to mark the Swiss before a concluding break. MB339NAT evident. Al Fursan performs some performance overseas, in France. icons, including 'Toblerone', Aircraft: 8 x Canadair NF-5A before separating. There Air Force’s 75th anniversary. In Base: Khalifa Bin Zayed different figures from the Frecce, With the Hunter’s retirement 'Milking Stool', 'Matterhorn', Base: Konya AB follows opposition manoeuvres, 2008 it received upgraded NPC-7s Air College, Al Ain AB however, including an upwards Pilots 2013 in 1995 the team transitioned 'Fondue Fork' and 'Federer'. History: It was not until 1992 that synchronised figures from groups finished in the Swiss national History: Al Fursan was split to represent a palm tree and T Ldr/1 Hptm Martin Vetter to Northrop F-5Es painted in the Turkish Air Force decided to of two, three and four aircraft colours. As with the Patrouille established in late 2009, with its a corkscrew where the solo rolls the Swiss national colours, Pilots 2013 establish a permanent, full-time and solo flying, including a heart, Suisse, the PC-7 Team’s pilots 2 Oblt Marius Krüsi first appearance being a single around the main formation. performing its first display in team in the form of the Turkish before a concluding break. undertake practice and display 3 Oblt Mario Thöni T Ldr/1 Capt Simon Billeter flypast by four MB339As at the Trivia: The MB339NAT’s 1996 and is a regular attendee Stars using seven NF-5As. Training Trivia: The Turkish Stars reputedly duties in addition to their front-line 4/Slot Hptm Mario Schwarz 2010 Al Ain Aerobatics Show. colour scheme represents the of major European airshows. 2 Capt Rodolfo Freiburghaus began in 1993 and the first public set an unofficial world record by duties, meaning they perform a 5 Hptm Cyril Johner Aermacchi has produced the UAE – the undersides show the In February 2013 the Swiss display was given in Ankara on performing in front of a million restricted number of displays. It 3 Capt Gunnar Jansen MB339NAT (National Aerobatic country’s national colours and 6 Hptm Thomas Hilpert defence minister told the Republic Day in October 1994. spectators during a display in has, however, become more active Team) variant for the team, the black and gold symbolise 7 Hptm Christoph Schneider country’s parliament that 4 Capt Gaël Lachat The Turkish Stars subsequently Baku, Azerbaijan, in 2001. internationally over the last decade, involving the removal of wing tip its sand and oil reserves. 8 Capt David Menth the Patrouille Suisse will be displayed at national military Pilots 2013: Information having performed in France, the 5 Capt Michael Meister tanks and the addition of a smoke Pilots 2013: Information 9 Hptm Martin Hess disbanded at the end of the events and international airshows, unavailable at the time Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, 6 Capt Reto Amstutz system. Al Fursan’s pilots began unavailable at time of press. 2015 season as retirement of its first overseas display being of going to press.

14 Military Display Teams of the World - 2013 www.airforcesmonthly.com www.airforcesdaily.com 2013 - Military Display Teams of the World 15 Military display teams of the world 2013

USA Thunderbirds Uk - Red Arrows USA Official designation: US Air Force Official designation: US Air Demonstration Squadron Navy Flight Demonstration Aircraft: 6 x Lockheed Martin Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon Aircraft: 6 x Boeing Base: Nellis AFB F/A-18 Hornet History: The team was formed in Base: NAS Pensacola May 1953 and initially operated History: The Blue Angels team F-84Gs, then F-84Fs. In 1956 the was established in April 1946, team moved onto the F-100, making it the longest-serving which was used until 1964 when military display team. Its F-105s arrived. These were flown first display that July used for just six displays before being the F6F-5 Hellcat, which it dropped due to safety concerns, operated for just two months the pilots quickly reverting to

MoD/Crown copyrightMoD/Crown before switching to the F8F the F-100 before operating F-4s Bearcat. Subsequent aircraft in 1969-73. The Thunderbirds were the F9F Panther (1949-55), then spent a decade flying the UK Red Arrows F9F-8 Cougar (1955-57), F11F T-38 before receiving the F-16A/B Tiger (1957-69), F-4J Phantom in 1983. These were replaced in but the Red Arrows return as a (1969-74) and A-4F Skyhawk 1992 by F-16Cs/Ds, which in 2009 Official designation: The Royal nine-ship formation in 2013 and (1974-1986) before transferring received an upgrade to Block 52 Air Force Aerobatic Team will perform its 4,500th public to F/A-18s in 1986. The Blue standard. Due to celebrate its 60th Aircraft: 9 x BAE display during the summer. Angels C-130 ‘Fat Albert’ support anniversary in 2013, the impact Systems Hawk T1 Display: The Red Arrows display aircraft arrived in 1975 and its of sequestration cuts to the US Base: RAF Scampton format – a first half of all aircraft JATO (Jet Assisted Take Off) defence budget has suspended History: After the RAF created the together in formation, followed display was incorporated into the team’s flying activities world’s first jet aerobatic team by a second half of manoeuvres performances. The final JATO until the end of September. with Vampires in 1947, various by smaller groups of aircraft was performed in 2009 as the Display: The display begins with front-line fighter squadrons in including the Synchro Pair – has last stockpile of JATO bottles Thunderbirds 1-4 taking off into the 1950s and 1960s formed their been the model for many teams was expended, but ‘Fat Albert’ the Diamond Loop before the two own teams including the famous worldwide. Its manoeuvres have is still part of the routine. solo pilots take off separately, 111 Squadron . also been copied or adapted Like the Thunderbirds, the performing their own manoeuvres. The RAF in 1964 decided on cost countless time by other teams. team has undertaken several The rest of the display sees the four- grounds to equip them with overseas tours, including ship alternating with the solos, the trainers – the flying Pilots 2013 one to Europe in 2006. main group performing a number of Jet Provosts and the Red 1 Sqn Ldr Jim Turner Again, due to the impact formation manoeuvres and the pair flying Gnats. The following year Trivia: An unusual manoeuvre Red 2 Flt Lt Oliver Parr of sequestration on the US solo, opposition and synchronised a single full-time RAF Aerobatic involves the quartet breaking defence budget, the Blue Angels figures. The six F-16s then form Team flying seven Gnats was cre- Red 3 Flt Lt Mark Lawson from close formation, and the solo schedule has been suspended up for a pass in Delta formation. ated, and the name Red Arrows Red 4 Flt Lt Martin Pert flying through the gap left behind. until the end of September. chosen to connect with the previ- Red 5 Flt Lt Steve Morris Display: The Blue Angels display Pilots 2013 ous Red Pelicans and the popular- Flt Lt Chris Lyndon- starts with a performance take- ity of the Black Arrows. Its size Red 6 Thunderbird 1 Lt Col Greg Moseley Smith off and solo manoeuvres by ‘Fat increased to nine aircraft in 1968. Thunderbird 2 Capt Joshua Boudreaux Red 7 Flt Lt James McMillan Albert’. Blue Angels 1-4 then Hawks replaced the Gnats for the Red 8 Flt Lt Ben Plank launch in Diamond formation, Thunderbird 3 Maj Caroline Jensen 1980 season. Following a difficult followed by the two solos. The Thunderbird 4 Maj Curtis Dougherty year in 2011 with the loss of two Red 9 Flt Lt Mike Child two groups then alternate, Thunderbird 5 Maj Blaine Jones pilots in separate incidents, seven Red 10 (Commentator) Sqn Ldr Mike Ling the four-ship performing aircraft were displayed in 2012 Thunderbird 6 Capt Jason Curtis formation manoeuvres and passes, and the solos carrying out opposition runs and synchronised figures. The six Hornets then join for a break and cross-over. Trivia: The team was named after a nightclub in New York City. Pilots 2013 Cmding Officer/ Cmdr Thomas Frosch Flight Ldr R Wg Lt Cdr John Hiltz L Wg Lt Nate Barton Capt Brandon Cordill, Slot USMC L Solo Lt Cdr David Tickle O Solo Lt Mark Tedrow C-130 pilot Maj John Hecker, USMC USA -thunderbirds USA - Blue Angels USAF US Navy

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