Flight Lieutenant Russ Norman - Captain
Flt Lt Russ Norman is 29 years old and was born in Manchester. He spent 3 years at the University of Sheffield, graduating with a BSc(Hons) degree in Chemistry and he was also a member of the Yorkshire University Air Squadron. Joining the RAF in 2000, Flt Lt Norman was posted to the Defence Helicopter Flying School at RAF Shawbury. Streamed to fly the Chinook, he was posted to RAF Odiham in late 2002, graduating from the Operational Conversion Flight in 2003. Beginning his operational career on 27 Sqn, Flt Lt Norman has operated around the world, including deployments to the Falklands and Iraq. In November 2005 he deployed to Pakistan as part of the UK Earthquake Relief mission. Having now moved to 18(B) Sqn, he has just completed his third detachment in Afghanistan. Flt Lt Norman has recently taken over as the 18(B) Sqn Standards Pilot and has 1700 hours total flying.
Flight Lieutenant Matt Evans - Co-Pilot
Flt Lt Matt Evans is 24 years old and was born in Pembroke, Pembrokeshire. He joined the RAF in Apr 2002 as a direct entrant after completion of A Levels. Following his commissioning in 2002 he undertook basic flying training on the Tutor at RAF Cranwell. He was selected to fly helicopters and was posted to RAF Shawbury to undertake his rotary training. In 2005 Flt Lt Evans was selected to attend 18 (B) Squadron’s Chinook OCF at RAF Odiham before beginning his operational career in 2006 with 18 (B) Squadron. Since then he has completed Operational Detachments in Northern Ireland and more recently Afghanistan. Other exercises and detachments include the Falkland Islands and Morocco.
Flt Lt Evans has so far amassed around 1000 hours total flying. In his spare time he enjoys rugby, golf and swimming.
Flight Lieutenant Rob Paul - Co-Pilot
Flt Lt Rob Paul is 27 years old and was born in Brighton, Sussex. He joined the RAF in Oct 2002 following 3 years at Swansea University, and was a member of Wales University Air Squadron. Following his commissioning in 2003 he was posted to the DHFS at RAF Shawbury. In 2004 Flt Lt Paul was selected to attend 18 (B) Squadron’s Chinook OCF at RAF Odiham before beginning his operational career later that year with 27 Squadron. Since then he has completed Operational Detachments in Northern Ireland and more recently 3 detachments to Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Other exercises and detachments include the Falkland Islands and Morocco. Flt Lt Paul is now an Air-test Captain and has so far amassed around 1000 hours total flying. In his spare time he enjoys windsurfing, surfing, and playing tennis and squash.
Sgt Darrell Harding - Crewman
Sgt Harding is 39 years old and was born in Southend-on-sea; he joined the Royal Air Force in 1986 and has served at RAF Odiham for the last 4 years. He is currently serving on 18 (B) Sqn, B Flight and returned from his fourth detachment to Afghanistan in April of this year. He was a member of the last 18 (B) Sqn crew to operate the Chinook in the Falkland Islands prior to its withdrawal in 2006. He is a Crewman Trainer with over 1000 hours on type and this is his first year as part of the display team.
Sgt Scott Todd - Crewman
Sgt Todd is 32 years old and is from Portadown, Northern Ireland. He joined the Royal Air Force in May 2004 having previously served 9 years with the Royal Irish Regiment. After completing flying training and Operational Conversion to the Chinook, he was posted to 18 (B) Sqn where he is nearing the end of his first tour. With 18 (B) Sqn he has served in Northern Ireland, Morocco and has recently returned from his fourth detachment to Afghanistan. In his spare time he enjoys playing rugby and skiing. This is his first year as part of the display team.
Flight Lieutenant Rich Simpson - Captain
Flt Lt Rich Simpson is 30 years old and was born in Bridgend, South Wales. He joined the RAF in 2000 following 3 years at Portsmouth University, and was a member of Southampton University Air Squadron. Following his commissioning in 2001 he was posted to the DHFS at RAF Shawbury. In 2002 Flt Lt Simpson was selected to attend 18 (B) Squadron’s Chinook OCF at RAF Odiham before beginning his operational career in 2003 with B Flight, 27 Squadron. Since then he has completed Operational Detachments in Iraq and more recently 3 detachments to Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Other exercises and detachments include the Falkland Islands, Northern Ireland, Norway, USA, Poland, Morocco, Cyprus, Europe and the Middle East. More recently Flt Lt Simpson has held the role of OC HQ Flight on 18 (B) Sqn.
Flt Lt Simpson is now an Air-test Captain and Deputy Flight Commander of B Flight 18 (B) Sqn and has so far amassed around 1500 hours flying. He was the 2007 Chinook display Co-Pilot and this year takes on the role of Display Captain for the first half of the season.