The Royal Air Force had the honour of parading a wide range of RAF aircraft for His Majesty King Charles III to celebrate His Official Birthday.
34 RAF aircraft took to the skies above the crowds on The Mall and over Buckingham Palace watched on by Their Majesties’ The King and Queen, alongside other members of The Royal Family.
The formation, led by Chinook helicopters from No. 7 Squadron of RAF Odiham, flew over Buckingham Palace as the Royal Family watched on from the balcony at 13:00 on Saturday 15 June 2024 following the King’s Birthday Parade (Trooping the Colour).
“It is a great honour to be part of His Majesty the King’s Birthday celebrations, where the Flypast is an opportunity for us to showcase aviation excellence to our Commander-in-Chief, on this very special occasion.
“The flypast consisted of 34 aircraft, including rotary assets from Joint Aviation Command, training aircraft from No.22 Group, in addition to No.1 Group aircraft from the Air Mobility, ISTAR and Combat Air Forces, immediately prior to the iconic Red Arrows in their 60th year.”
Air Vice-Marshal Mark Flewin
Air Officer Commanding 1 Group
The aircraft were from eight different RAF stations, and 15 Squadrons participated, with two thirds of the Squadrons involved in D-Day 80 years ago.
Leading and co-ordinating the whole flypast, the Mission Commander for all the aircraft, was Typhoon pilot and Officer Commanding 29 Squadron, Wing Commander Andy Shaw. Today marks the culmination of months of planning that he has orchestrated and led, with a team of other very experienced aviators.
“It is an honour to be involved in delivering an airborne spectacle worthy of His Majesty the King’s Birthday. I am grateful to have had the chance to work with so many outstanding aviators to make today safe and fit for the King.”
Wing Commander Andy Shaw
Officer Commanding 29 Squadron
The aircraft highlighted the wide range used by the RAF to secure our skies and protect our people both at home and abroad. This included helicopters, training, air transport, air-to-air refuelling, maritime, ISTAR, and fast jet combat aircraft.
At the front of the flypast were three Chinook helicopters and the event culminated in a spectacular show of red, white and blue from the pilots of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows.
“It was my privilege to be part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Flypast in June 2022, this June it is again an honour to be part of and assist making a successful flypast for our King.”
Flight Sergeant Flood
Mission System Operator on the Voyager
The aircraft of the Armed Forces have a long and proud history of taking part in this occasion, with the first King’s Birthday Flypast taking place in 1913 and most recently formed part of Their Majesties’ Coronation in 2023 and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
The King’s Birthday Flypast concluded Trooping the Colour which took place on Horse Guards Parade, a ceremony dating back to the reign of King Charles II, becoming an annual event in 1760. Over 1,400 officers and soldiers form the parade, together with two hundred horses; over four hundred musicians from ten bands and Corps of Drums march and play in unison.
“I gave my Oath of Allegiance to HM Queen Elizabeth and to her successors and I will always hold a distinct sense of duty to our Commander-in-Chief. I am proud, alongside many of my comrades, to play a small role in celebrating this special occasion and to help contribute in showing the best parts of my Great Britain.”
Flight Sergeant McDonald
Air Traffic Controller, RAF Brize Norton
