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The Red Arrows have taken to the skies over the US in a spectacular joint display with Americas Blue Angels.
The RAF aerobatic team flew alongside the US Air Forces Blue Angels over Boston, Massachusetts, before taking part in a multi-formation flypast above Brunswick, Maine, on Friday 10.
The display forms part of the Red Arrows month-long tour of the United States spanning late June and July, with appearances scheduled across Wisconsin, Maine, Maryland and Michigan as the team helps mark 250 years of American independence.
The tour is one of a series of displays planned by the RAF aerobatic team across the UK and overseas during a packed 2026 programme. Earlier this month, the Red Arrows also joined a major international flypast over New York to mark Americas Independence Day.
The RAF said: The month-long tour by the aerobatic team will acknowledge the historic and important relationship with the UKs strongest and closest security partner.
The RAF aerobatic team travelled across the Atlantic for Operation Eagle Hawk, a programme of displays and flypasts across several US states, including New York, Wisconsin, Maine, Maryland and Michigan. The visit formed part of a wider UK Armed Forces contribution to the anniversary celebrations, alongside Royal Navy ships and the Band of His Majestys Royal Marines.
The 2026 deployment marked the Red Arrows first tour of North America since 2019 and featured appearances at established airshows as well as major national events.
Air Officer Commanding No. 1 Group, Air Vice-Marshal Mark Jackson, said: Were honoured to accept the US militarys invitation for the Red Arrows to participate in these special Fourth of July events in the countrys 250th year.
The Royal Air Force has a long, proud history of working side-by-side with the Armed Forces of the United States, whether that be on operations and exercises or by joining with other allies as part of NATO.
I hope the Red Arrows trademark combination of close formation flying, speed and world-class precision will excite and inspire the hundreds of thousands of people attending these shows.
(The British team joined more than 150 aircraft from around the world for a huge flypast over New York as America marked 250 years of independence.
Trailing their trademark red, white and blue smoke, the RAF aerobatic team flew above the Hudson River with Manhattans skyline providing a dramatic backdrop during the Fourth of July celebrations. The display formed one of the highlights of Operation Eagle Hawk, the teams month-long visit to the United States.
Wing Cdr Jon Bond, who led the formation, said: Flying over New York, surrounded by so many iconic landmarks and famous locations on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of American independence, is a huge honour.
He said the invitation reflected the enduring relationship between the UK and US, adding: It has been fantastic to bring the Red Arrows signature red, white and blue colours to this special occasion and celebrate the 4th of July with the American people and all those watching.
(Getting the Red Arrows to the United States proved almost as impressive as the displays themselves, with the team making the journey in stages across the Atlantic.
Because the Hawk T1 jets were unable to fly the distance in one go, the aircraft travelled in eight separate legs, stopping in Stornoway, Iceland, Greenland and Canada to refuel before reaching the US. The carefully planned route also allowed the pilots to manage the aircrafts limited range during the three-day trip.
Wing Cdr Jon Bond said: Unfortunately, we dont have any air-to-air refuelling capability and our aircraft can only carry about an hour-and-a-half to an hour-45 worth of fuel. These cockpits, that are 40 or 50 years old, can be quite cramped.
Its a little bit lonely on these transits. Ive done these a couple of times now in the T1 and the two hours goes quite slowly. No in-flight entertainment either.
(The Red Arrows may have stolen the spotlight in the skies, but a much larger operation helped keep the famous display team flying throughout their month-long US tour.
Supporting the 11 Hawk T1 jets were two A400M Atlas transport aircraft carrying engineers, equipment and spare parts. A P-8 Poseidon also accompanied the team to provide overwatch and search and rescue cover if required, while an Envoy IV CC1 aircraft acted as a communications relay during the journey across the Atlantic.
Wing Cdr Jon Bond explained that the support aircraft were essential because the Red Arrows jets lacked the equipment needed to make the crossing alone.
He said: Our aeroplanes dont have the appropriate radio equipment or navigation aids. We need them, essentially, to be the eyes and ears for us as we transit across.
We go out of radio communication range quite quickly in that part of the world but they have high frequency radios and all the latest GPS solutions that enable us to safely cross the Atlantic.
(The Red Arrows month-long visit to the United States extended far beyond their aerial displays, with the team taking part in a packed programme of events on the ground.
Alongside appearances at airshows and major flypasts, the RAF aerobatic team spent time meeting young people, aviation enthusiasts and local communities throughout the tour. Sessions focusing on science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) were also held to inspire future pilots, engineers and aviation professionals.
Wing Commander Sasha Nash, Officer Commanding of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, said: The whole Red Arrows team are greatly looking forward to visiting the United States the tour is a fantastic opportunity to display the best of British, at significant events and occasions marking the 250th anniversary, alongside friends, allies and international counterparts.
The tour will celebrate and underline the enduring relationship between the United Kingdom and our closest security partner.
The power to inspire through activation is something felt by airshow crowds on both sides of the Atlantic and were hoping to meet countless individuals and families at these locations, as well as during a busy programme of ground engagement that forms an important element of the tour and our season as a whole.
(The Red Arrows month-long visit to the United States was only one part of a packed 2026 display season, with the team set to return to Britain before appearing at events across Europe.
After completing Operation Eagle Hawk, the RAF aerobatic team prepared to continue its summer programme with appearances at the Thunder Over Michigan Air Show before heading home for displays at Airbourne Eastbourne, Southport Air Show and Clacton Airshow. Further performances were also planned at IWM Duxford later in the year.
The teams international schedule was due to continue with appearances at the Swedish Air Forces 100th anniversary celebrations in Linköping, NATO Days in Ostrava, Czech Republic, and Le Touquet Airshow in France.
The 2026 programme marked one of the busiest in recent years, combining domestic events with overseas displays following the Red Arrows first North American tour since 2019.
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