Red Arrows fly past marks 'virtual' Armed Forces Day as Queen pays tribute to veterans

Charlie Duffield27 June 2020

The Red Arrows have performed a flypast in Scarborough for Armed Forces Day, as planned events had to be cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Hawk jets took to the skies above the coastal town in North Yorkshire, flying over the Army's Catterick Garrison and RAF Leeming, while the Queen and Boris Johnson led tributes to veterans and serving military personnel.

The monarch said in a statement: "Having had members of my family serve in each of the armed services, I know only too well of the pride service personnel take in their duty.

"As your commander-in-chief, I send my warmest best wishes to you all, your families, and the entire armed forces community."

Normally the week-long event is held across the country, but lockdown has caused most celebrations to move online this year.

Commodore Phil Waterhouse, naval regional commander for the north of England for the Royal Navy, described the cancellation as a “huge disappointment but totally understandable”.

The armed forces have been involved in the UK's response to Covid-19 by helping to repatriate British citizens from abroad, designing and distributing PPE and constructing hospitals.

The Red Arrows performing a flypast over the British Army Catterick Garrison, RAF Leeming and the coastal town of Scarborough in North Yorkshire
SAC Hannah Smoker/MoD/PA Wire

Marking the occasion with a Twitter video message, the Prime Minister said: "Whether you're a regular, a reservist, a civilian contractor, a veteran, or the family and friends who support our military in so many ways, we as a nation salute you.

"We know that - day and night, at home and abroad, at sea, on land, in the air and even in space and online - our fantastic armed forces are there for us."

The Red Arrows perform a flypast over Scarborough Castle in North Yorkshire
Danny Lawson/PA Wire

Instead of the usual parades, military bands commemorated the day with performances streamed on the armed forces' Facebook and Twitter pages, where behind-the-scenes views of the Royal Navy's HMS Queen Elizabeth and the Red Arrows were shown.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: "The armed forces community cannot celebrate in person this year, so we are doing our best to show you through social media who our people are, what they do, and how you can show your support."

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer also shared his thanks to military personnel "for the role they play both at home and abroad".

Steve Siddons, leader of Scarborough Borough Council, said the original plans for 2020 included flypasts, over 1000 people marching along the seafront, and ships in the harbour, which were expected to attract over 100,000 visitors over the week.

However, The Ministry of Defence has already announced that next year's Armed Forces Day will take place in Scarborough.

Mr Siddons said: "What we’re looking forward to now is next year... it’s going to be an even bigger and better event."

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