A new Officer Commanding of the Red Arrows formally takes up the role today, responsible for the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team.
Wing Commander David Montenegro is in charge of the entire 130-strong team, comprising RAF regular and reserve personnel, working alongside civil service colleagues and others.
He succeeds Wg Cdr Andrew Keith, who has been Officer Commanding, Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team (OC RAFAT), since September 2017.
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A former frontline Tornado pilot, Wg Cdr Montenegro said: “I feel incredibly fortunate to be given the opportunity to command an RAF squadron that reaches out to all spectrums of society.
“Previous generations of RAF personnel have helped build and shape the Red Arrows into a globally recognisable brand – it is a great privilege to continue to develop this squadron’s rich aviation heritage in the coming years.”
It is a return to the Red Arrows for Wg Cdr Montenegro, having been a team pilot between 2009 and 2011 and then the Team Leader from 2015 until 2017.
During this three-season stint as Red 1, he led the nine-ship display during a huge global tour representing the UK and showcasing the RAF across the Middle East and Asia, including visits to Singapore, Malaysia and performing in China for the first time in the team’s history.
After leaving the Red Arrows, Wg Cdr Montenegro worked in the Typhoon Force Headquarters at RAF Coningsby, before being selected to complete a masters degree in defence and military studies at the Australian War College, Canberra.
The Red Arrows have performed almost 5,000 displays since 1965 and deliver a precise, dynamic and world-renowned ‘soft’ power capability – supporting important national interests, at home and overseas.
Last week, it was announced that, given the current restrictions in the UK and many European partner nations to contain the spread of the COVID-19 Coronavirus, the decision had been taken not to send the Red Arrows overseas for work-up training this year.
Wg Cdr Montenegro said: “When it is safe to do so and the environment allows, the Red Arrows will be ready to do what we do best – display the professional brilliance of the Royal Air Force, inspire and encourage future generations to become a part of all aspects of UK air and space power capabilities and to play our full role in representing national interests in all corners of the world.
“Until then, our personnel will be focussed on supporting all of those who are on the frontline of the present crisis.”
Wg Cdrs Montenegro and Keith have carried out a detailed handover period in recent weeks, in preparation for today’s scheduled change of OC RAFAT.
Wg Cdr Keith, who was Officer Commanding during the Red Arrows’ seasons marking the RAF’s centenary in 2018 and last year’s highly-successful tour of North America, said: “I feel extremely proud and privileged to have had this opportunity to command the RAFAT during some memorable years.
“It has been truly inspiring to be a part of an incredible team and witness the excellence and skill of all involved, creating wonderful opportunities and reaching such a diverse audience.”
Learn more about the new OC RAFAT here: Wing Commander David Montenegro
Leading the nine-ship display team this year is Squadron Leader Martin Pert and the 2020 Red Arrows team is:
Officer Commanding, Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team – Wing Commander David Montenegro
Red 1 and Team Leader – Squadron Leader Martin Pert
Red 2 – Flight Lieutenant Will Cambridge
Red 3 – Flight Lieutenant Nick Critchell
Red 4 – Flight Lieutenant James Turner
Red 5 – Flight Lieutenant David Simmonds
Red 6 – Flight Lieutenant Jon Bond
Red 7 – Squadron Leader Gregor Ogston
Red 8 – Flight Lieutenant Damo Green
Red 9 and Executive Officer – Squadron Leader Steve Morris
Red 10 and Supervisor – Squadron Leader Adam Collins
