A NEW voice will be heard commentating during the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team’s displays this summer.
Squadron Leader Graeme Muscat is taking over as Red 10 – the Red Arrows’ safety supervisor and, while on the ground at events, also the person who talks the watching crowd through the show.
This week, he succeeds Wing Commander Adam Collins, who has carried out the role for the last four seasons and is now leaving the team having recently been promoted.
Sqn Ldr Muscat, who flew the Tornado GR4 on the frontline earlier in his RAF career, said: “The Red Arrows are the best at what they do, they are a UK icon and are one of notable facets that standout when you think of Britain.
“Being part of this fantastic organisation is a boy hood dream and one which I can hopefully use to provide that inspiration to young people and also be an ambassador for the UK, both at home and abroad.”
Born in Great Sutton, Cheshire, Sqn Ldr Muscat was an Air Cadet with 1074 Ellesmere Port Squadron when he was teenager, before joining the RAF in 1995 as a Communications System Analyst (Voice).
In 1998, he became Non-Commissioned Aircrew as an Air Signaller and progressed through training to eventually join 51 Squadron, RAF Waddington, on the Nimrod.
Five years later, Sqn Ldr Muscat was selected for a Commission and pilot training, starting Initial Officer Training in 2004. He subsequently flew the Tutor, Tucano and Hawk respectively, before the Tornado operationally and then the Hawk T2 as a Qualified Flying Instructor.
Over the last few weeks, he has been gradually learning about the various aspects of the Red 10 role from his predecessor.
Sqn Ldr Muscat said: “The handover has been very thorough, as expected, coming from Wg Cdr Collins, covering a wide range of areas from the display supervision right down into liaising with the various safety and regulatory agencies as well as RAF senior officers.”
One of the key tasks for Red 10 is to be in place at an event location well in advance of the team’s planned performance time and arrival of the Red Arrows display team.
From a position on the ground, the supervisor checks for potential hazards and – during the Red Arrows’ show – maintains radio contact with Red 1, the Team Leader, and the formation flying above.
This means Red 10 is at every event, allowing the pilot to meet countless people as well as commentating to millions each year.
Sqn Ldr Muscat said: “Being Red 10, the Team Supervisor, not only puts you at the forefront of ensuring the team’s operations are safe and fit to display but also allows you to engage directly with the public – helping to influence and inspire those I will meet at the various displays.
I think inspiring the next generation is a key element of what the RAF and the Red Arrows do.
“It’s very much part of why I was interested in the role.”
Although not a pilot in the main display formation, the Red 10 role is among the most prominent and dynamic in the team.
In addition to being the supervisor for all practices and displays plus commentating at shows, they coordinate the season and fly the team’s photographers – being responsible for many of the Red Arrows’ striking, widely-shared images from across the globe.
Wg Cdr Collins said photo-chasing – flying alongside or above the main formation of jets to get the pictures – is one of the most exciting parts of the job he’s leaving.
He said: “The images we produce can be very powerful, especially given the team’s online presence. Capturing a stunning picture is a real team effort between the photographer and pilot, balancing achieving the desired image with safety, our number one priority.
“The image I’m most proud of is from San Francisco, flying over the Golden Gate Bridge in 2019.
“Positioning of the aircraft and timing were both critical, in order to be far enough away from the bridge and aircraft to have the right perspective just as they crossed the bridge. It’s not always the case, but this image worked out exactly as planned!”
As a Squadron Leader, Wg Cdr Collins’ first season as Red 10 was in 2018.
The former Tornado pilot, who’s originally from the West Midlands, said: “Being Red 10 has been a unique opportunity and a real career highlight.
“The role is extremely varied, which is what has made it so interesting. The public know Red 10 as the commentary voice of the team but that is actually just a small part of the job.
“Red 10 is responsible for everything from supervising practices and public displays, through to liaising with the regulators, planning the display season and flying the spare jet between displays. It’s the sheer variety of the job that has made it so satisfying.”
From taking part in successful tours to North America and the Middle East, as well being Red 10 for the RAF’s centenary year, Wg Cdr Collins said there had been many standout moments during his time with Red Arrows.
He said: “It’s hard to narrow them down.
Being able to display to the British public, inspiring the next generation through our flying and engagement is a privilege but being able to represent the UK on a global stage is a real honour.
“It’s the international engagement and being an ambassador for the UK that has stood out for me.”
The Red Arrows are preparing for the team’s 2022 display season, with a busy schedule of UK shows in store for the summer – beginning with the Midlands Air Festival on June 2 and running through to September.
Meanwhile, Wg Cdr Collins is getting ready for his next role in the RAF.
He said: “I’m shifting my focus back to operations, which involves spending some time overseas. Following that, I’ll be back to the UK ready to take on a new challenge in 2023.”
