MOD

The Royal Air Force in Concert tour returns this autumn with a ‘Stars and Stripes’ themed music spectacular to mark the 70th anniversary of the United States Air Force.

Listen to our music sampler for a taste of what to expect!

The RAF in Concert Tour will see RAF bands visit 12 locations around the UK, starting in High Wycombe on 7th October and ending in Norwich on 3rd December.

Over the course of the past 70 years, music legends from the United States have all influenced and shaped the soundtrack to our lives with sounds from the Swing Era, Rock & Roll, Country and Motown. The RAF in Concert Tour will pay tribute to these iconic legends with numbers that are set to impress.

The band will take audiences back in time through the past seven decades – from Sinatra to Streisand, Basie to Bernstein, the programme of music includes Send in the Clowns, Hoe Down, Stars & Stripes March and I Left My Heart in San Francisco.

Tour organiser, Tina Outlaw said: “We’ve brought together a fantastic programme of music to really celebrate the great American legends and the influence their music has had on all our lives over the past 70 years. From Sinatra to Elvis and Dolly Parton, the audiences are set for a fantastic evening”.

Sponsored by BAE Systems and Lockheed Martin, the concert tour will visit:

7th October; Wycombe Swan, High Wycombe
9th October: Royal Festival Hall, London
16th October: Colston Hall, Bristol
18th October: The Anvil, Baskingstoke
20th October: Royal Hall, Harrogate
29th October: Lighthouse, Poole
18th November: Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham
22nd November: Symphony Hall, Birmingham
26th November: Sage Gateshead, Gateshead
29th November: Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
1st December: Cliffs Pavillion, Southend
3rd December: Theatre Royal, Norwich

Tickets start from £19 (for London £22) and are available to purchase now from the venues. For more information please go to: rafinconcert.com.

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Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoon aircraft from 6 Squadron, based at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland were welcomed at Azraq airbase in Jordan to celebrate a common heritage.

The RAF Typhoons were on their way to exercise in the Middle East where Azraq airbase commander, Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF) Colonel Mohammad Hiyasat welcomed them. He said: “In the 1950s the late King Abdullah the First presented the RAF No 6 Squadron with the Royal Standard. Then in 1995 Jordanian No 6 Squadron and the British No 6 squadron became sister squadrons. His Royal Highness Prince Faisal, a squadron commander, led the efforts to join the two squadrons because he knew that cooperation would benefit both air forces.”

Typhoon Force Commander, Air Commodore Ian Duguid who flew in one of the Typhoons from the UK was enthusiastic, saying: “The opportunity to come and fly into this part of the Middle East, though Jordanian airspace and land in Azraq air base provides exceptional training. I was fortunate to fly on the trail from the UK here to Azraq. In the fourship two of the pilots were on their first posting and I have seen their confidence and experience grow.”

He added: “We thought it would be an excellent idea whilst 6 Squadron was deploying for them to be able to come and base themselves at Azraq, which is the home of 6 Squadron of the RJAF, and be able to interact and rekindle those relationships and friendships we have had over the years. The UK has a great relationship with Jordan from a strategic perspective. Clearly we are working with Jordan and many others in the coalition in the fight against Daesh. The Jordanians are able to offer us support through airspace overflight and diversion capabilities.”

Lieutenant Colonel Sa’ad Shehaltogh, Officer Commanding 6 Squadron of the Royal Jordanian Air Force recognised the long heritage, saying: “For me it is an honour to be commander of a squadron that has a relationship with the RAF’s 6 Squadron that dates to the 1950s and later when HRH Prince Faisal was a squadron commander.” He continued: “This is the continuation of a legacy. It’s something we shouldn’t lose and of which we should be proud. Hopefully people will be here in the future celebrating the hundred years of the squadrons as sisters.”

Wing Commander Billy Cooper, Officer Commanding 6 Squadron of the RAF said: “One of the great things about the squadrons in the RAF is the real sense of history we engender and that really informs the ethos that we have. Our relationship with Jordan is such an important part of 6 Squadron’s history that it really is a great privilege for us to rekindle that here at Azraq.”

RJAF 6 Squadron pilot, Captain Mohammed Abu Aljazar speaking at a reception held for the visiting pilots from Lossiemouth said: “It’s a very good opportunity since we had never met before and we have an old history between us. We hope to meet and train together in the UK in the future.”

© MOD Crown Copyright 2017

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Group Captain Jim Walls DSO RAF took command of RAF Lossiemouth from Group Captain Paul Godfrey OBE on 29^th September 2017.

Group Captain Godfrey took command of the Moray base at the end of November 2015. His two years in charge of the Moray Typhoon main operating base saw significant support to oprations over Iraq, Syria and in Nigeria as well as the announcement of RAF Lossiemouth as the future base of the UK’s Maritime Patrol Aircraft. On leaving RAF Lossiemouth Group Captain Godfrey said:

“It has been an honour to have been the Station Commander at RAF Lossiemouth. Being in command of a Royal Air Force base that is charged with directly protecting the United Kingdom’s airspace and is involved with current operations around the Globe was both challenging and inspiring. The work we do can sometimes put a great deal of pressure on our people and their families, but the Whole Force here continually demonstrate excellence and a can-do attitude that is humbling; it is undoubtedly the people I will miss.

“My family and I will be sad to leave Moray, we’ve made many good friends in the local community and have made the most of the opportunities and amazing quality of life available here. We will definitely be back to visit soon.

“As RAF Lossiemouth moves into its next chapter, I’m delighted to hand command over to Group Captain Jim Walls. He has been a Typhoon squadron commander at RAF Lossiemouth so is well aware of the challenges and opportunities the Station faces as it develops to become a MPA as well as QRA base. I’m sure he will enjoy what is undoubtedly the very best job in the Royal Air Force.“

Group Captain Jim Walls was born in Australia but educated in the UK, attending Aberdeen University. He has flown Jaguar and Typhoon aircraft both as an instructor and operationally. He was also the Typhoon Display Pilot in 2007, and famously raced a Bugatti Veyron in a Typhoon. He has held roles in the Typhoon development programme, and was Officer Commanding 6 Sqn at RAF Lossiemouth between June 2014 and November 2016. Group Captain Walls is excited to be in command of RAF Lossiemouth as the Station moves towards welcoming the Poseidon P-8 to RAF Lossiemouth, he said:

“It’s an immense privilege to be taking command of RAF Lossiemouth. Group Captain Godfrey has led the Station exceptionally through a significant, and busy, few years. I would like to thank him for his dedicated service and congratulate him on his promotion.

“It is an exciting time to be commanding the station with such huge investment over the coming years. This includes the introduction of the Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft and another Typhoon Squadron. We will be reinvigorating RAF Coastal Command’s heritage with cutting edge technology while continuing to deliver QRA and global operations. I am particularly looking forward to working closely with the local community as we grow the station. It will undoubtedly be a challenging role but it is a real honour and I am ready.”

© MOD Crown Copyright 2017

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