Red Arrows: Red 1 Reflects On 'Dream' Three Years As He Leaves Team

Squadron Leader Martin Pert has been succeeded as team leader of the Red Arrows.

He is handing over leadership of the iconic aerobatic team to his successor, Squadron Leader Tom Bould.

Sqn Ldr Pert was first selected for the Red Arrows in 2012, flying as flying as Red 2, 4 and 8 across three seasons.

He then was appointed to team leader in 2018.

The outgoing Red 1 spoke to Forces News, reflecting on his experience, which he said was a "childhood dream" for him.

Sqn Ldr Pert added it is with "mixed emotions" that he leaves the Red Arrows after his three-year stint, the standard duration of service in the aerobatic team.

He said the past few years have been "amazing to look back upon and reflect".

"[I feel] clearly quite sad that I'm not going to get to experience any of those highlights again."

He added: "It’s been an incredible three years and I’ve been very lucky to be at the helm for them."

Discussing the highlights of his career, he said it is "difficult" to pick one, but the North American tour in 2019 and the RAF 100 celebrations in 2018 would probably be his top ones.

"Taking the team across to the US and Canada was an incredible highlight for all of us," Sqn Ldr Pert told Forces News.

He called the North American tour "a trip of a lifetime" and said the aerobatic display team were "welcomed with open arms" by a very knowledgeable air show audience.

"Flying over Niagara Falls, seeing that from the air, the Golden Gate Bridge in the Bay Area of San Francisco and then, clearly, New York and the Hudson River with the US Air Force Thunderbirds are definite highlights of my time on the Reds."

Speaking of the celebrations for the RAF 100, which was during his first year of leading the Reds, he said it was "particularly daunting" to be involved in a very high-profile event so early on after taking on his new role.

"I will never forget the sight of those 94 other aircraft ahead of us as we flew down The Mall, with thousands of people down there on The Mall, and it just makes you proud to serve at that very moment."

Sqn Ldr Pert added the outpouring of support for the Red Arrows' work has been "incredible", but "even more so" in the year 2020.

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Red Arrows have not been able to display in front of the public this year, but they have been able to "put more stuff out on digital media", he explained.

"The overwhelming message of support and goodwill from the public has gone a long way to keeping us buoyant and bobbing along as we should be."

The outgoing leader of the Red Arrows has handed over the reins to Squadron Leader Tom Bould, who first joined the aerobatic team as a pilot in 2015.

Passing through a week of flying assessments, reviews and interviews, he then embarked on a journey with the Red Arrows until 2017.

His three-year stint saw displays across the globe, but also has enabled the pilot to apply for an exclusive set of tests to become the new Team Leader.

Sqn Ldr Pert wished the incoming Red 1 "the best of luck", saying he "will do an absolutely wonderful job".

"My main advice to him really has been: don’t sweat the decisions that you are entrusted to make on a second-by-second basis.

"He’s got the experience and he’ll have the training to do so and he should just enjoy every single minute of it."

Talking about what the future has in store for him, Sqn Ldr Pert said he is going to take a "welcome respite from flying" for a "little while".

"I'll do some military development, some professional courses, a bit of sport and adventurous training that the military offer and, hopefully, I’ll be airborne again before not too long."

He added he will miss the day-to-day life as a member of the Red Arrows because it is "unique" and "different" from other areas of the military.

"When you’ve been in the Reds you leave and you never really leave. You’re part of a very exclusive club which is very nice to be able to fall back on."