Wing Commander Jon Bond, who served as Red 1 for the Red Arrows for the past three years, concluded his tenure on Friday. Speaking on his final day, Bond stated there will "always be a place" for the aerobatic team, adding, "I'm sure we'll see the red, white and blue for many years to come."
His departure occurs amidst ongoing discussions about replacing the Red Arrows' Hawk T1 jets, which have been in use since 1980 and are scheduled for retirement in 2030. The government announced in June an increase in military spending, which included plans for new jets for the fleet.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has committed £360m as part of plans to introduce new Red Arrow jets, following the administration of British aerospace company Aeralis, which had been developing a replacement. The MoD stated this investment is for a new fast-jet training system, enabling the Red Arrows to replace the Hawk aircraft.
Squadron Leader Chris McCann and Flight Lieutenant Dustin Wales have also left the team after the 2026 season. The replacement for Bond has not yet been announced.