Red Arrows grounded by low cloud cover for RAF Lossiemouth friends and family event

CLOUD cover prevented the Red Arrows performing at the RAF Lossiemouth friends and family afternoon.

The famed display team held on as long as possible for conditions to improve but simply ran out of time to safely take part in the event at the Moray base.

It was a real blow to large crowds which had gathered around the base and along the west beach looking to catch a glimpse of the team.

A typhoon was able to perform a fast speed solo display later in the afternoon.

The Red Arrrows had flown into RAF Lossiemouth earlier in the day in a formation flight.

Flanked by the distinctive Hawk jets of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Poseidon MRA1 (P-8A) carried out a flypast.

RAF Lossiemouth is benefiting from a massive growth and multi-million pound investment programme. It is currently home to five Poseidon MRA1 aircraft with another four due to arrive by the end of 2021.

The RAF’s new Wedgetail aircraft, successor to the current E3 Sentry airborne early warning and command and control fleet, will also be based at the Station.

Group Captain Chris Layden, Station Commander RAF Lossiemouth, said: “RAF Lossiemouth is delighted to welcome back the Red

Arrows."

This was the first time since 2019 that the Red Arrows had been lined up for a display, with the runway undergoing resurfacing since that time.

Added Gp Cpt Layden: "The annual Friends and Family Day is an important opportunity to say thank you to all station staff and their families for their support. It has been run as a drive-in air display for 2021, to ensure it is fully compliant with Scottish Government COVID regulations for large events."

The Red Arrows are due to perform a show at Peterhead this evening as part of Scottish Week.

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