ABOUT THE AIR TATTOO The Royal International Air Tattoo is the World’s Greatest Airshow and is staged in support of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust (RAFCT). The Air Tattoo, first held in 1971, has a worldwide reputation for aviation excellence and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) promotion. In 2018 it attracted 185,000 visitors (including 6,000 corporate guests) with 302 aircraft, representing 30 nations, taking part in the flying and static displays. The three day event takes place on 19-21 July 2019 and will feature a thrilling seven hour flying display and a two mile long showground filled with static display aircraft. On the showground, visitors will find exhibits, trade stands and food courts as well as a wide range of interactive family entertainment including hands on STEM activities to inspire young people. THE MESSAGE 617 SQUADRON REBORN RAF’s legendary Dambusters squadron has TOMORROW’S reformed to fly the UK’s new F-35B fighter jets – the most advanced and dynamic fighter aircraft in the RAF’s 100-year history. The Squadron was formally stood up at a ceremony ROYAL AIR FORCE in the United States on 17 April, 2018. This summer, F-35B aircraft and personnel of 617 Squadron will arrive at RAF Marham. LEADING BY EXAMPLE They will undergo an intense phase of training to be able to declare a land-based Initial Operational Capability by the end of the year. The Lightning OCU, No “A century of RAF history has borne witness to many acts of supreme courage, generated 207 Squadron, will follow and occupy a new HQ to be built next door. heroes and created legends, through famous actions and in desperate times,” says Air The F-35B Lightning is the world’s first jet to combine radar evading stealth technology with supersonic speeds and short take-off and Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier, Chief of the Air Staff. landing capability, and will revolutionise the RAF’s combat capability. It will defend our nation and ensure that Britain remains a pioneer SOUVENIR PROGRAMME in innovation, with a unique ability to adapt to this increasingly dangerous world. “Warfare in the third dimension changed the character of the First World War and “By 2023 we will have two frontline squadrons, Nos 617 and 809, allowed visionary thinkers of the day to understand what needed to be done to ensure and an Operational Conversion Unit at Marham,” says Lt Cdr Adam this new environment could best be exploited in the future. Their vision led to the Hogg, 617 Squadron’s first Royal Navy Executive Officer. formation of the RAF, the world’s first independent air force, on 1 April 1918, and helped The UK currently owns 15 F-35B aircraft and they will be operated lay the enduring foundations upon which the Service has been built. jointly by the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy. The First of Class “With an inherent ability to respond, engage and disengage rapidly, and to offer Flight Trials on the Queen Elizabeth Class are due to take place in the political choice,” adds Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier, “the Royal Air Force has autumn of 2018 to deliver Initial Operational Capability (Maritime) at The Official Air Tattoo Souvenir Programme is the most effective way to constantly used the full range of its air and space power capabilities – Combat Air, the end of 2020. ISTAR, Air Mobility and Precision Strike. All this time we have been developing new and improved capabilities: aircraft, weapons, information, systems integration, and training. Right: Members of The Queen’s Colour Squadron, RAF Regiment and the Central Band of the RAF perform to guests at a ceremony in the Smithsonian National Most importantly, it is our highly skilled and motivated people who have always been Air and Space Museum, Washington, to mark the centenary of the RAF, and the the cornerstone of RAF capability. re-formation of No 617 Squadron, commonly referred to as the ‘Dambusters’. Photo: Sgt Ralph Merry. UK Ministry of Defence © Crown Copyright 2018 “In our centenary year we will welcome the famous 617 Squadron back to RAF communicate your message to our visitors. This high quality 100 page plus Marham, equipped with our outstanding new combat aircraft, the F-35B Lightning. The Tornado will be retired in 2019, after front-line service covering well over one third of the RAF’s history. As the Lightning arrives and a new chapter starts, it is a reminder that the RAF is constantly evolving and adapting, exploiting new technologies and improving its capabilities so that it can continue to remain at the leading edge of air and space power colour publication is packed with essential airshow information for visitors, into the future.” Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier, announces the reformation of No 617 Squadron to guests at a ceremony in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Washington, USA. Photo: Sgt Ralph Merry. UK Ministry flying display timings, airfcraft features, pilot interviews and much more. It’s of Defence © Crown Copyright 2018 Below: A Tornado GR4 painted in the iconic Gulf War an essential item of memorabilia for any Air Tattoo visitor and a keepsake to ‘desert pink’ scheme honours the aircraft’s almost continuous operational service since the RAF helped to liberate Kuwait as part of Operation Desert Storm in 1991. Photo: SAC Rose Buchanan. UK Ministry of Defence be read time and time again. © Crown Copyright 2018 The first all-British refuelling flight for an RAF F-35B in the skies over Charleston on the east coast of the United States. 2018 Photo: Ken Pike. UK Ministry of Defence © Crown Copyright 2018 RAF100 PROGRAMME OF EVENTS A Founder’s Day Service took place at St Clement Danes Church in central London on 1 April, the official birthday of the Royal Air Force. The service was followed by the launch of one of the major Centenary activities, the RAF100 Baton Relay, which visited 100 sites associated with the Royal Air Force, both national and international, in 100 days. The RAF100 National Aircraft and Innovation Exhibition has already begun – with visitors interacting with the RAF at Cardiff City Hall Gardens and Horse Guards Parade in London. Other locations THE and dates for the exhibition are as follows: Newcastle, Northern Ireland 10-12 August Victoria Square, Birmingham 25-27 August ROYAL Cathedral Gardens, Manchester 14-16 September Glasgow Science Centre 31 Aug-2 September June also saw RAF100 events continue at the RAF Cosford Airshow and at a re-opening ceremony at the RAF Museum INTERNATIONAL in Hendon. Earlier this week, an RAF100 special Centenary Service took place in Westminster Abbey, followed by a Parade of approximately 1,500 servicemen and women on the Mall, London and a 100 aircraft flypast over Buckingham Palace. Following the flagship RAF100 event at this year’sRoyal International Air Tattoo, the Northern Ireland Airshow at Portrush (4-5 August), a Battle of Britain Service in London (16 September) and the Duxford Battle of Britain Airshow (22-23 September) will also take place. AIR The Royal Air Force in Concert Tour will also celebrate the Centenary of the Royal Air Force during September and October. Dates and venues are as below (box office contact The Royal Air Force was formed 100 years ago on 1 April 1918 COMMEMORATE details for each venue can be found on page xxx): TATTOO 2018 TATTOO as the world’s first independent air force. Our Service was The Centenary year of the RAF provides a unique opportunity PRINT launched in the infancy of aviation, with innovation central to to commemorate the service and sacrifice of those who have Lighthouse, Poole Sunday 23 September our delivery of air and space power through the last ten decades. gone before. We remember the extraordinary courage, Bristol Cathedral, Bristol Tuesday 25 September dedication, excellence and professionalism that have been Symphony Hall, Birmingham Wednesday 26 September On 31 March this year, RAF100 got underway with a unique demonstrated time and again – from two World Wars, through Theatre Royal, Norwich Saturday 29 September Gala celebration at the Royal Albert Hall. The RAF100 Programme the Cold War and the Falklands, to the more recent and current Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow Wednesday 3 October of Events will run until September to commemorate and conflicts in the Middle East and other parts of the world. Sage Gateshead, Gateshead Thursday 4 October QUANTITY celebrate our Centenary and to inspire our next generation. Millennium Centre, Cardiff Friday 19 October It combines a range of international, national, regional and CELEBRATE Waterfront, Belfast Tuesday 23 October local events and initiatives, supported by an all-encompassing Today, the Royal Air Force is a vital part of the Nation’s first line Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham Saturday 27 October media campaign to raise awareness, deepen understanding of defence. Working closely with the other Services, the RAF Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury Sunday 28 October and enhance the reputation of our Royal Air Force. remains committed to protect the UK and its interests at home Bridgewater Hall, Manchester Wednesday 31 October and abroad in an increasingly uncertain world. The RAF is a RAF100 will showcase the very best of the RAF – with force for good, and the Centenary offers a unique opportunity commemorative airshows throughout the summer, themed for the Whole Force of regulars, reserves, civilians and regional events and concerts, and unique opportunities for contractors, alongside the wider RAF family, to celebrate as one. the public to interact with servicemen and women throughout 100 years is a remarkable milestone and one that we should the UK.