Reflections on the Red Arrows

It is unspeakably sad that a fine young RAF pilot has died while performing with the Red Arrows, writes Peter Rhodes.

But it should focus minds on a pertinent question: what is the point of the Red Arrows?

The team was formed in 1965 in the depths of the Cold War. Conscription had ended, the RAF had no combat role and the Red Arrows helped keep the RAF in the public eye.

These days, the RAF is in daily action over Afghanistan and Libya. It does not need a pack of Hawks trailing coloured smoke over fetes, garden parties and air shows to make the point that RAF pilots are brave and hugely skilled.

The RAF waged a five-month campaign to bring down the Gaddafi regime in Libya and lost not a single pilot. But on the eve of victory Flight Lieutenant John Egging perished entertaining a crowd of holidaymakers at Bournemouth.

Ironic does not begin to describe it.