Red Arrows need to get to US but Hawks can only fly 750 miles – so what happens next?

The Red Arrows are travelling to the United States to take part in a series of celebrations marking 250 years since the declaration of independence – but getting there is a bit of a challenge.

With the Reds' Hawk T1 jets only able to fly 750 miles in one bound – weather permitting – they cannot fly to their destination direct.

Squadron Leader Stu Roberts – Red 10 in the team aerobatic display team's line-up – fronted a video explaining how the team will make their way to the States in a number of separate bounds.

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A real challenge

Their US tour, Operation Eagle Hawk, will see them feature in a series of displays, flypasts and public engagement events.

However, Martin States Airport in Maryland – the Reds' destination – is a long way from home at around 3,500 miles, and the Hawks' range of 750 miles is the maximum they can achieve in good weather conditions.

In addition to that, the jets have no air-to-air refuelling capability.

"It is an undertaking – it's a real challenge," Sqn Ldr Roberts pointed out.

Mutual support

Red 10, who acts as the team's supervisor, monitoring safety from the ground and providing public commentary at every display, said the team would be setting off from their home base of RAF Waddington.

From there, he said the team would be flying a staged ferry route with stops in Stornoway, Iceland, Greenland and Canada before arriving in the United States.

The Reds will be flying 11 Hawk T1s to the US, but they won't be alone.

The jets will be supported by two A400M Atlas transport aircraft, carrying the team's engineers and support equipment.

They will also have a P-8 Poseidon for overwatch and search and rescue – should the need arise – and an Envoy IV CC1 providing communications relay.

Eleven Hawks, eight legs

:: RAF Waddington to Stornoway Airport

:: Stornoway Airport to Keflavik Airport in Iceland

:: Keflavik Airport to Kangerlussuaq Airport in Greenland

:: Kangerlussuaq Airport to Iqaluit International Airport in Canada

:: Iqaluit International Airport to CFB Goose Bay in Canada

:: CFB Goose Bay to CFB Greenwood in Canada

:: CFB Greenwood to Long Island MacArthur Airport in the United States

:: Long Island MacArthur Airport to Martin States Airport in the United States

UK and Europe too

Fans of the Reds who won't be in the US won't miss out, as the team have a busy schedule.

They'll be seen at Airbourne Eastbourne, Southport Airshow and Clacton Airshow through August, and IWM Duxford in September and October.

International appearances will include the Swedish Air Force 100-Year Anniversary Show in Linköping, Nato Days in Ostrava in the Czech Republic and Le Touquet Airshow in France.