New officer takes command of the Red Arrows

Wing Commander Sasha Nash has taken command of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, becoming the new Officer Commanding of the Red Arrows as the display unit prepares for the 2026 season.

Wg Cdr Nash has begun her first full week leading the 150-strong team of pilots, engineers and support staff, succeeding Wing Commander Adam Collins, who has completed a three-year tour in command. As Officer Commanding, she is responsible for all aspects of the team’s activity, including safety, engineering, public displays and engagement in the UK and overseas.

Describing the appointment as a career milestone, Wg Cdr Nash said it was an opportunity she would not have imagined when she first joined the Royal Air Force two decades ago. She said the Red Arrows represented the values and professionalism found across the RAF and that she was looking forward to leading the team through a busy season.

Originally from Surrey, Wg Cdr Nash joined the RAF in 2005 and is an experienced fast-jet pilot. She previously flew the Tornado GR4 on frontline operations and international exercises and most recently served as Chief of Staff in the Display Wing Headquarters, working alongside both the Red Arrows and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. She said her ambition to fly for the RAF was sparked at an early age after attending airshows as a child, adding that she remained motivated by the opportunity to represent the UK and inspire future generations of aviators. Training for the forthcoming display season is already under way and is overseen by Red 1, the pilot who leads the team in the air and designs the aerobatic display.

Paying tribute to her predecessor, Wg Cdr Nash praised Wg Cdr Collins’ leadership and contribution to the team, noting his experience and commitment during a period that included the Red Arrows’ 60th anniversary season and a high-profile tour of Canada in 2024. Wg Cdr Collins spent seven years with the Red Arrows across two periods, first as Red 10, the team’s safety supervisor and ground commentator, before returning to command the unit in 2023. He said the highlight of his time with the team had been working with its personnel, describing them as the most professional and dedicated people he had served alongside in his career.

The Red Arrows, officially known as the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, are among the world’s best-known display teams. Flying the BAE Systems Hawk T1, they have completed nearly 5,000 displays in 57 countries, showcasing RAF capability and representing the UK at home and abroad.