UK NEWS

RED ARROWS SALUTE RAF’S 90TH WITH THAMES FLY-PAST

SPECTACULAR: The Red Arrows

Saturday March 1,2008

By John Ingham Defence Editor

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THE Red Arrows will roar along the Thames in formation today to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the RAF.

And across the country cannons will fire in unison to mark the centenary of the Territorial Army.

The memorials come with both forces heavily involved in operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The nine Red Arrows Hawks will be joined by four Typhoons – the RAF’s latest planes – flying from east to west down the river, due to pass the London Eye at 1pm sharp.

The centenary of the TA will be marked with the firing of a “feu de joie” salute of ceremonial guns, synchronised for 11.30am at the Tower of London and in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.

The RAF’s official celebrations began yesterday when a Chinook helicopter delivered badges to 25 veterans at the RAF Museum in Hendon, north west London.

They included Iain Blair, 89, who became the RAF’s first Boy Entrant when he joined the trainee scheme aged 16.

The retired pilot, who flew 15 different planes during 40 years in the force, said: “I was in Egypt in 1940 but then I was withdrawn in 1942 to fly Spitfires over the Continent before D-Day.

“I have some great memories and some bad ones too.”

Veterans minister Derek Twigg said it was “humbling” to meet so many brave veterans.

He said: “In Iraq and Afghanistan there are amazing amounts of heroics, bravery and steadfastness. From World War One to today the RAF has been doing an amazing job.”