What do we know about UK Armed Forces involvement in US 250th celebrations?
From wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and alliances like Aukus and Nato, to generation-defining exercises like Purple Star and modern-day special operations exercises like Trojan Footprint, the US and UK have a long and storied joint military history.
Now, the UK Armed Forces, led by the RAF's Red Arrows, will take part in a calendar of celebrations in the US this summer to help mark 250 years of American independence.
The Armed Forces will send the RAF's aerobatic team, Royal Navy ships, and the Band of His Majesty's Royal Marines across the pond this summer.
It follows King Charles' four-day state visit to the US last month, where the head of state spoke to Congress and met US president Donald Trump to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Red Arrows lead the delegation
The Red Arrows' visit to the US, named Operation Eagle Hawk, will combine aerobatic displays at established airshows and set-piece flypasts over big occasions during a month-long tour.
During the tour, the iconic Hawk T1 red jets will soar through the skies at 13 events across New York, Washington, Wisconsin, Maine, Maryland and Michigan between 27 June and 26 July.
On 4 July, Independence Day, the jets will take part in a major international flypast over New York, performing in front of tens of thousands of people.
The Red Arrows last toured the United States in 2019.
The group are gearing up for their US tour with pre-season training, Exercise Springhawk, in Greece, refining their manoeuvres ahead of a busy summer.
Flying the flag for Britain
"The whole Red Arrows team are greatly looking forward to visiting the United States – the tour is a fantastic opportunity to display the best of British, at significant events and occasions marking the 250th anniversary, alongside friends, allies and international counterparts," Officer Commanding the Red Arrows Wing Commander Sasha Nash said.
Air Officer Commanding No.1 Group Air Vice Marshal Mark Jackson said that the RAF were "honoured" to accept the invitation to participate in the commemorations.
"The Royal Air Force has a long, proud history of working side-by-side with the Armed Forces of the United States, whether that be on operations and exercises or by joining with other allies as part of Nato," AVM Jackson said.
"I hope the Red Arrows' trademark combination of close formation flying, speed and world-class precision will excite and inspire hundreds of thousands of people attending these shows."
Navy also sending ships
Alongside the air force, the Royal Navy's ships will dock in New Orleans later this month and attend the US Navy's International Naval Review 250 in the port of New York and New Jersey in July. It's not yet clear which ships will be attending.
The Band of His Majesty's Royal Marines will also fly to the States to perform at the celebrations and commemorate the close military relationship.
"I offer our sincere congratulations to the United States as it celebrates 250 years of independence," defence minister Lord Coaker said.
"The defence relationship between our nations is built on unparalleled trust, professionalism and shared purpose.
"British and American forces have served together with distinction for generations, and our alliance remains vital to the security of our countries and our allies around the world."
Here is the full list of Red Arrows displays for 2026:
24 May – 85th anniversary of the Battle of Crete, Old Harbour of Chania, Crete, Greece
29 – 30 May – English Riviera Airshow, Torbay
30 – 31 May – Midlands Air Festival
4 June – Isle of Man TT Races
6 June – Gassed on Track, Silverstone
13 June – HM The King's Official Birthday Flypast, London – flypast
14 June – RAF Cosford Airshow
27 – 28 June – Sail 250 Maryland & Airshow, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
4 July – International Aerial Review, New York City, United States – flypast
5 – 6 July – FourLeaf Air Show, Jones Beach, New York, United States
11 – 12 July – Great State of Maine Airshow, Brunswick Executive Airport, Maine, United States
17 – 19 July – Thunder Over Michigan Air Show, Willow Run Airport, Ypsilanti, Michigan, United States
24 – 26 July – EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, Wisconsin, United States
14 – 16 August – Airbourne – Eastbourne International Airshow
15 August – Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo – flypast
16 August – Lyme Regis RNLI Lifeboat Week
19 August – Cromer Carnival and Air Display
22 – 23 August – Swedish Air Force 100-Year Anniversary Show 2026, Linkoping, Sweden
27 – 28 August – Clacton Airshow
28 August – Sidmouth Regatta and Airshow
29 – 30 August – Southport Airshow
4 – 5 September – International Ayr Show Festival of Flight, Ayr
9 September – Guernsey Air Display
10 September – Jersey International Air Display
12 September – IWM Duxford Battle of Britain Air Show
13 September – Activity to be confirmed (TBC)
19 – 20 September – Nato Days in Ostrava, Czech Republic
27 September – Le Touquet Airshow, France
4 October – IWM Duxford Flying Finale
You can find more information about the events and locations for the Red Arrows summer schedule here.
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