On 12 January 2026, Wing Commander Sasha Nash began her service as the new Officer Commanding of the Royal Air Force Red Arrows Aerobatic Team (OC RAFAT), taking over the role from Wing Commander Adam Collins, who had successfully commanded the team for the previous three years.
Wing Commander Nash is now in charge of the entire 150-strong unit, comprising both flying and ground personnel. She is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, covering everything from safety, through flying displays to engineering and public engagement.
“This is a career opportunity of a lifetime – if someone had told me, 20 years ago, that one day I’d be Officer Commanding of the Red Arrows, I don’t think I would have believed it. This is a team of dedicated, diligent and enthusiastic people – exemplifying the ethos and values found in units right across the RAF – and I’m excited to work with them to continue to deliver the levels of excellence the Red Arrows are globally renowned for.” – said Wing Commander Nash.
Sasha Nash, from Surrey, joined the RAF in 2005. The following year, she graduated from Initial Officer Training, completing training with a Tucano and Hawk T1 aircraft in preparation for flying supersonic jets. After being selected as a Tornado GR4 pilot, she completed the Operational Conversion Unit and was assigned to No. 31 Squadron at RAF Marham station. While serving with this unit, she completed operational tours in Afghanistan and participated in numerous exercises worldwide.
Subsequently, she became a Qualified Flying Instructor, training new generations of fast jet pilots on the Tucano aircraft at RAF Linton-on-Ouse. Subsequently, Nash was posted to the Combat Air desk at Air Command and served as a Squadron Commander at the Royal Air Force Officer Training Academy.
After being promoted to Wing Commander, she was appointed as the Chief of Staff in the Display Wing Headquarters, working closely with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and the Red Arrows — the team which she now has the honour to command.
“I was a six-year-old little girl when I decided to join the Royal Air Force and to fly fast jets – inspired by air shows and seeing the speed and excitement of aircraft displaying at those events. That ambition stayed with me throughout school, where I achieved a sixth form scholarship and subsequent university bursary to join the RAF. Two decades later, I am still thoroughly enjoying everything I do and seizing all of the opportunities and experiences a career in the Armed Forces provides.” – said Wg Cdr Sara Nash about how her interest in aviation began and developed throughout the years.
“I’m incredibly proud and excited to now, as OC RAFAT, be commanding a team whose aim is to represent the UK and help inspire future generations of aviators from all backgrounds. This is a great time to be joining the Red Arrows, as we prepare for a busy season and plan for the future. I can’t wait to work alongside team members and have the opportunity to meet people at air shows and events this year.” – added the new Officer Commanding of the Red Arrows.
Although the year has only just begun, preparations for the new season are already underway, supervised by the new Red 1 – the pilot who leads the team in the air and is responsible for designing the display. The first public appearances of the Red Arrows in the season usually take place in late May or early June.
“I’ve worked alongside Adam over the last couple of years and witnessed, first-hand, his utter dedication to both the team and the RAF as well as his immense wealth of display knowledge and commitment to all that the Red Arrows represent. He has earned deep respect from those in the team and the wider display community, across the UK and far beyond. I know we all would like to congratulate him on such a successful time with the Red Arrows, an exemplary RAF career and wish him the very best for the future.” – said Wg Cdr Sasha Nash, paying tribute to her predecessor.
Wing Commander Adam Collins was associated with the Red Arrows team for seven years. He was initially the Red 10 pilot, safety supervisor and ground commentator of the team’s displays. From 2023 to 2025, he served as the Officer Commanding of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team.
Under his command, the Red Arrows celebrated their 60th anniversary in 2024 and undertook a high-profile tour of Canada in the same year.
“Despite having had many amazing experiences flying a red jet all around the world, taking part in some incredible events and meeting everyone from young aviation enthusiasts to royalty, the highlight of my time on the team is working with the most professional, dedicated and hardworking people in my career. The challenges of maintaining and operating the Red Arrows’ Hawk T1 are very different from that of an F-35 or an A400. Whether we are training or displaying for the public, we are routinely launching nine or more aircraft simultaneously, three or four times per day, often away from our home base. From pilots to engineers and the many support roles on the team, everyone goes the extra mile to ensure that as many of the public as possible are able to be entertained and inspired by both watching our displays and flypasts and engaging with our personnel on the ground.” – said Wg Cdr Collins himself an experienced former frontline Tornado pilot.
“As I hand over command to Sasha, I would like to wish her all the very best for the future and I am confident that under her leadership, the Red Arrows will continue to demonstrate our recipe of precision, excellence and teamwork across the globe. Éclat.” – he added.
Cover photo: The new Officer Commanding of the Red Arrows, Wg Cdr Sasha Nash, among the team’s aircraft. Photo: AS1 Lisa Coulston RAF / UK MOD © Crown copyright 2026
All photos and quotations were used under the UK Ministry of Defence © Crown copyright Editorial License
