Painting the sky red, white and blue
UK’s Red Arrows, Pakistan Air Force JF-17 Thunder aircraft perform air show at Sea View
This is the first time the Red Arrows have performed in Pakistan in 20 years. PHOTO: ATHAR KHAN/EXPRESS
KARACHI:
To mark 70 years of friendship between Pakistan and Britain, the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, Red Arrows, and Pakistan Air Force's JF-17 Thunder aircraft thrilled Karachiites with a display at Sea View on Thursday.
The air show featured fighter jets that soared to incredible heights, leaving behind streams of coloured smoke in their wake. The acrobatic stunts performed by the Red Arrow pilots left onlookers stunned and cheering.
Senior officials of the Pakistan Air Force and British Council, including British High Commissioner Thomas Drew, attended the event, along with a multitude of Karachi residents. This is the first time the Red Arrows have performed a full display in Pakistan in 20 years.
The British Council also set up a pop-up library at Sea View, which included a digital wall with a curated collection of e-books and an information booth.
Speaking at the event, the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team’s supervisor, Squadron Leader Mike Ling, who is known as Red 10, said, “The strength of the UK-Pakistan relationship is highlighted by this joint airshow by the Red Arrows and Pakistan Air Force’s JF-17 Thunder aircraft”. He said the visit by the Red Arrows this year is also historic as it marks 70 years of UK-Pakistan relations.
“We are thankful to the officers and men of Pakistan’s Southern Air Command for their generosity and support in hosting us for this visit,” he added.
Earlier in the day, the Red Arrows visited Pakistan Air Force’s Masroor Base where they were welcomed by senior officials of the Pakistan Air Force. In addition to ministers and dignitaries, schoolchildren from the PAF Saleem Nawaz Fazaia College had the opportunity to interact and engage with the Red Arrow and JF-17 Thunder pilots.
This Pakistan Day, Karachi gets its own air show
“The British Council is delighted to have such a strong partnership with the Pakistan Air Force in education supporting its schools and colleges,” said Country Director for the British Council in Pakistan Rosemary Hilhorst. The Pakistan Air Force and British Council jointly organised the event.
“Today is a very special day which represents the excellence of the aerobatic teams, both the Red Arrows and the JF-17 Thunder display teams, and the strong relationship between the UK and Pakistan which has held steadfast these past 70 years,” she said.
With the message of ‘Shared History, Shared Future’, the British High Commission’s 70th anniversary celebrations consist of a year-long series of activities and events that celebrate UK-Pakistan relationship over the last 70 years. This year also marks 70 years of the British Council working in Pakistan, which is being celebrated through diverse activities and programmes ranging from cultural festivals to alumni events.
The Red Arrows are one of the world’s premier aerobatic display teams. Flying British-built fast-jets, they have performed more than 4,800 times in 57 countries. The team is carrying out a five-week tour of the Middle East.
To mark 70 years of friendship between Pakistan and Britain, the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, Red Arrows, and Pakistan Air Force's JF-17 Thunder aircraft thrilled Karachiites with a display at Sea View on Thursday.
The air show featured fighter jets that soared to incredible heights, leaving behind streams of coloured smoke in their wake. The acrobatic stunts performed by the Red Arrow pilots left onlookers stunned and cheering.
Senior officials of the Pakistan Air Force and British Council, including British High Commissioner Thomas Drew, attended the event, along with a multitude of Karachi residents. This is the first time the Red Arrows have performed a full display in Pakistan in 20 years.
The British Council also set up a pop-up library at Sea View, which included a digital wall with a curated collection of e-books and an information booth.
Speaking at the event, the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team’s supervisor, Squadron Leader Mike Ling, who is known as Red 10, said, “The strength of the UK-Pakistan relationship is highlighted by this joint airshow by the Red Arrows and Pakistan Air Force’s JF-17 Thunder aircraft”. He said the visit by the Red Arrows this year is also historic as it marks 70 years of UK-Pakistan relations.
“We are thankful to the officers and men of Pakistan’s Southern Air Command for their generosity and support in hosting us for this visit,” he added.
Earlier in the day, the Red Arrows visited Pakistan Air Force’s Masroor Base where they were welcomed by senior officials of the Pakistan Air Force. In addition to ministers and dignitaries, schoolchildren from the PAF Saleem Nawaz Fazaia College had the opportunity to interact and engage with the Red Arrow and JF-17 Thunder pilots.
This Pakistan Day, Karachi gets its own air show
“The British Council is delighted to have such a strong partnership with the Pakistan Air Force in education supporting its schools and colleges,” said Country Director for the British Council in Pakistan Rosemary Hilhorst. The Pakistan Air Force and British Council jointly organised the event.
“Today is a very special day which represents the excellence of the aerobatic teams, both the Red Arrows and the JF-17 Thunder display teams, and the strong relationship between the UK and Pakistan which has held steadfast these past 70 years,” she said.
With the message of ‘Shared History, Shared Future’, the British High Commission’s 70th anniversary celebrations consist of a year-long series of activities and events that celebrate UK-Pakistan relationship over the last 70 years. This year also marks 70 years of the British Council working in Pakistan, which is being celebrated through diverse activities and programmes ranging from cultural festivals to alumni events.
The Red Arrows are one of the world’s premier aerobatic display teams. Flying British-built fast-jets, they have performed more than 4,800 times in 57 countries. The team is carrying out a five-week tour of the Middle East.