The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, have carried out a series of flypasts across Jordan’s historic landmarks.
The jets flew the length of the desert kingdom in a display of friendship with the Jordanian people.
Crowds watched from ancient landmarks such as Petra and Kerak Castle as the formation of Hawks flew overhead with their distinctive smoke trails. Members of the Jordanian royal family and the UK ambassador Mr Edward Oakden CMG witnessed the spectacle.
The Red Arrows play a key role as national ambassadors, supporting UK trade, business, education and industry – most recently in conjunction with the GREAT Britain campaign.
The visit to Jordan is part of a five-week tour of the Mediterranean and Middle East, following a busy domestic season.
The overseas deployment, known as Exercise Eastern Hawk, began with a flight over the Cannes Yachting Festival – highlighting British industry exhibiting at the event in the south of France – before moving on to Athens Flying Week.
Exercise Eastern Hawk now moves on to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia. After Jeddah the Red Arrows plan to fly to Kuwait for a display there then hold another show in Doha, Qatar. The team then flies to Muscat, Oman, Pakistan, Bahrain and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Wing Commander Andrew Keith, Officer Commanding, Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows said: “The Red Arrows have very much been looking forward to deploying to Jordan. Flypasts such as these are one of the key roles of the team.
“This deployment follows on from a very successful exercise in 2016 to the Asia-Pacific region and will continue to focus on objectives to build relationships with important partners and to promote the United Kingdom abroad, through the GREAT campaign, as a global brand for technology, education and innovation.
“It also provides opportunities for Defence Engagement and promoting STEM through events with students and educational institutes.”
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