Meet the New Red Arrows Pilots

Three new Pilots will join the Red Arrows for the 2015 Season. The Pilots have experience of flying operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Red Arrows assist with recruiting for the Royal Air Force, contribute to defence diplomacy and support wider national interests. Flight Lieutenant Thomas Bould, Flight Lieutenant Michael Bowden and Flight Lieutenant Emmet Cox will begin training with the Red Arrows next year.

Flight Lieutenant Bowden, 33, who was raised in Newport, south Wales, and is a graduate of Cardiff University, joined the Royal Air Force in 2002. After being posted to II (AC) Squadron at RAF Marham, he completed two operational tours of Afghanistan, flying the Tornado GR4.

The former member of the University of Wales Air Squadron said: “I have always had a passion for pure flying and the Red Arrows hold the top trump card in that arena. The team demonstrates the absolute pinnacle of flying ability and the desire to be part of that team has been there since being a small boy and has only ever grown as the years have gone on. "

Flight Lieutenant Bould said this pursuit of excellence and a reputation for the highest standards first attracted him to the idea of flying with the Red Arrows. He was born and raised in Bradford, West Yorkshire – attending Woodhouse Grove School before studying at Manchester University and being a member of Manchester and Salford University Air Squadron.

The 32-year-old joined the Royal Air Force in 2005, was the Tucano display pilot in 2010 and was selected to fly the Typhoon multi-role combat aircraft. He was posted to 1(F) Squadron and during his frontline tour had several deployments to the Falkland Islands as well as exercises in Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates.

Flight Lieutenant Cox, 35, was educated at Long Bay College in Auckland, New Zealand, before studying at the city’s university. He emigrated to the UK in 2001 and joined the Royal Air Force a year later.

Following training, Flight Lieutenant Cox was posted to RAF Lossiemouth to fly the Tornado GR4. As a member of 617 Squadron (The Dambusters), he flew missions over Iraq. In 2010 he was chosen to become a Qualified Flying Instructor and returned to 72(R) Squadron to fly the Tucano.

He said: “There are many aspects that have inspired me to join the Red Arrows but the biggest is simply the flying. The type of flying the team does is like no other and I consider it to be the pinnacle of aviation."