The Irish Air Corps’ Silver Swallows and the Royal Air Force’s world-famous Red Arrows have shared the skies in a unique display of military aviation cooperation, flying together at RAF Waddington in what may be the first publicly documented formation involving the two national aerobatic teams.
Visitors attending RAF Waddington’s Friends and Families Day on 26th September were treated to a rare sight as the Silver Swallows joined the Red Arrows for a combined flypast. According to the RAF, the formation was a highlight of the day’s flying programme and showcased the strong relationship between the Irish Air Corps and the Royal Air Force.
Photographs released this week by the Defence Forces show the distinctive red BAE Hawk jets of the Red Arrows flying alongside the Irish Air Corps’ PC-9M trainers, creating a striking image that has generated considerable interest among aviation enthusiasts. While both teams have appeared at many of the same airshows over the years, a joint formation of this nature is believed to be exceptionally rare and may well be the first time the two display teams have flown together in an organised public flypast. No previous examples could be readily identified from publicly available records.
The appearance came during a busy international season for the Silver Swallows. The Irish Air Corps display team, re-established in 2022 during the Air Corps Centenary celebrations, has become a regular feature on the European airshow circuit. Drawn from instructors of the Flying Training School at Casement Aerodrome, the team combines its display commitments with its primary role of training the next generation of Irish military pilots.
Flying the Pilatus PC-9M, the modern Silver Swallows carry forward a tradition that dates back to the 1980s when the original team flew the Fouga Magister jet trainer. The team achieved international recognition in 1997, winning the prestigious Lockheed Martin Cannestra Trophy for Best Overseas Display at the Royal International Air Tattoo before being disbanded following the retirement of the Fouga fleet in 1998.
The current iteration has helped raise the profile of the Irish Air Corps internationally, appearing at major events throughout Europe and demonstrating the high standards of airmanship developed within the Flying Training School. RAF Waddington described the team as one of the Irish Air Corps’ most recognisable ambassadors and highlighted the professionalism and precision demonstrated by its pilots.
For the Red Arrows, the formation was equally symbolic. The RAF Aerobatic Team, based at RAF Waddington, is among the world’s most recognised military display teams and represents the United Kingdom at events around the globe. Their decision to fly alongside the Silver Swallows reflected the close links that exist between the neighbouring nations’ air arms
The joint flypast also comes at a time of increasing engagement between the Irish Air Corps and international aviation partners. Although Ireland remains militarily neutral, cooperation in training, aviation safety, air surveillance and professional military development with other European air forces continues to grow. Events such as this provide an opportunity to showcase those relationships while giving aviation enthusiasts a memorable spectacle.
Whether it was indeed the first-ever formation flight between the Silver Swallows and Red Arrows remains to be conclusively established. However, the images from RAF Waddington have already secured a place as one of the most memorable aviation photographs of 2026 and a proud moment for Irish military aviation.
If any readers are aware of an earlier occasion when the two teams flew together, Flying in Ireland would be delighted to hear from them.
