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.
Excellent. Look forward to seeing them grace our skies once more in 2026!!!
It’s always good to see a new person taking command.
I hope the Defence Equipment Investment Plan includes details for a new fast jet trainer to replace the Hawk T1/2. Time is quickly ticking on that one.
Aren’t we using Italian Air Force M346s? Wouldn’t save money to chop the Hawk T2s and replace the Red Arrows T1s with some rented M346s. Defer the purchase of a replacement indefinitely.
They are looking at 40+ for Hawk T2 replacement and for the Red Arrows. We aren’t operating the M346, but it will be a strong contender along with the T7 Red Hawk.
Politics, GCAP links, Yeovil and the relationship with Leonardo would favour M346, I think. After all, Pollard did say that Leonardo was ‘an important strategic partner’ for the MOD 🙂
The M346 is a fine jet. And would look great painted red with a union jack on the tail.
It would be clever if the govt could tempt Leonardo to assemble M346 in Yeovil, having in fact decided to buy Black Hawk.
I think UK final assembly will be at least part of the deal. Is it true about Blackhawk? Haven’t seen anything official announced?
Speculation on my part but several press reports now. Can’t tell whether they have a single source of course. I’m intrigued to read that Polish helicopter pilots and instructors are to begin training in the UK this summer…apparently we have agreed to ‘enhance helicopter training co-operation.’ Poland had a plan to order 32 locally built Black Hawks to complement their Apaches, but cancelled the order because the price went up. If the UK ordered the Polish Black Hawks one would expect the unit price to fall if both nations ordered. Just a thought.
Yeah, interesting. I guess we will find out more when the long awaited equipment investment plan finally sees the light of day. Whenever the hell that will be
I don’t think it is the minister in a question specifically said “ I discussed with Leonard the opportunity for export orders for the NMH programme” that’s a pretty clear indication that the government are planning to collaborate on the NMH and build and export them from the UK.. the only opportunity I can se for that is the AW149 and the fact Norway accidentally leaked it was making a joint purchase with the UK government for AW149 a few months back now.
I agree that is the way govt wanted things to go. I note Leonardo are also chasing AW159 orders – trying to make the numbers for their Yeovil plant add up. Polish built Black Hawks could just be a plan B to encourage Leonardo. Poland themselves seem to be vacillating between AW149 and Black Hawk.
Yes six new AW159s for the Philippines, if they can get a Norwegian and UK AW149 order they would be pretty sorted. There is also alway some good possibilities around AW101 orders.. from Norway and Poland.. the Merlin is just one of those things that keeps on ticking over.
40 plus. Which will be the usual bare minimum.
There were 28 Hawk T2s bought, and I think the Reds use 15 Hawk T1.
100 Sqn got chopped for the aggressor role, and the RAFCAM Flight lost it’s 2 Hawks as well.
Still, if it’s 40, I’ll take it. I think the military will take anything, such is the paralysis introduced by HMG regards actually buying kit.
I’ve seen 45 as the quoted requirement.
Whatever they do buy, none of them are cheap.
Think how much money could be saved by bringing back the White Helmets and disbanding the Red Arrows.
And the RN Field Gun Competition, now there’s a thought! 🙂