Red Arrows' leader steps down after three years, 29 countries and 20 different aircraft
The RAF pilot who's stepping down after leading the Red Arrows for the past three years and flying with them for eight has said there have been too many iconic moments for him to pick a favourite.
Wing Commander Jon Bond, who as team leader has the callsign Red 1, flew his last display with the team and their Hawk T1 jets at Duxford.
He was asked whether anything stuck out as a memory that he'd cherish during his time with the aerobatic display team.
Too many memories
"See, everyone asks me this," he told BFBS Forces News. "There's just too many incredible memories, experiences that I've had over my eight seasons with the team.
"You know, I think I added up the other day, I've visited 29 countries with the team. I've flown with over 20 different types of aeroplanes in mixed formation.
"And there's just been so many iconic moments. It's so difficult. I mean, I've probably got five hands to count all the amazing experiences on. So it'd be really hard to pick.
"I know I've completely copped out of that answer, but it's been an amazing journey over eight years. I'm incredibly proud of what the team have achieved in those eight years. And how long may we continue."
Duxford first – and last
Speaking at Duxford ahead of his last flight as Team Leader, Wg Cdr Bond said the Reds' 2026 season had been both busy and rewarding.
"This season's been another really busy one for the team," he said. "We finished our winter training in May, went straight into a busy couple of weeks in the UK and then went off to America to celebrate USA 250, which was a great event for us.
"[We did] some iconic flypasts – probably people have seen them over social media – and then it's been great to come back to the UK to finish off the season here.
"Lots of displays, lots of flypasts over the last couple of months, and what a place to finish here at Duxford – the home, many say, of aviation in the UK."
Wg Cdr Bond was born and brought up in Essex, attending Chigwell School, and has a lifelong affinity with Duxford's airshows and its museum.
"I grew up watching airshows here, my hometown. So to finish here is the perfect way for me to finish my time as leader."
The final display
Despite being his last display with the Red Arrows, he said it was still like any other he'd flown.
"I can't be thinking too much that it's my last one until we've kind of landed and shut down at Waddington," he explained.
"So I'll be doing everything that I've been doing for the last three years. We'll be checking the weather, making sure the jets are good to go.
"It'll be the same routine as we've always done, and then hopefully I can breathe a nice sigh of relief when we land."
Wg Cdr Bond said the team appreciated the number of people who'd come to Duxford to see them – which was the perfect way to end the 2026 season.
That's why we do it
Wg Cdr Bond joined the RAF and it was clear he was going to be among the cream of the crop.
Following advanced flying training, he was selected to be a "Creamie" – a qualified flying instructor on the Tucano at RAF Linton-on-Ouse.
He was the Tucano display pilot in 2012 and was then posted to RAF Coningsby, where he flew the Typhoon FGR4 with 3(F) Squadron.
During his frontline tour, he flew various operations, including providing Quick Reaction Alert to safeguard the skies in the UK, Lithuania and the Falkland Islands.
During a previous period with the Red Arrows, Wg Cdr Bond led the Synchro Pair and completed tours to the Gulf region, mainland Europe and North America.
He said of his departure: "I think I'll just miss the team being together to achieve the goal of flying the red, white and blue across the country, across multiple continents, that whole team spirit ethos.
"And I miss meeting the public like we are today and seeing how highly regarded the team are still held – 60 years later people still have that same affection for the team.
"And for us, that's really warming. And that's why we do it."
When asked what was in store for him next, he replied: "Not sure yet. I've got plenty of opportunities I'm sure that will come up over the next couple of weeks.
"But I think firstly I'm just going to have a couple of weeks off with my family and chill out for a bit, relax – and then we'll see what's next."
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