Red Arrows - toxic culture
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
https://www.skygroup.sky/article/sky...he-red-arrows1
Sky News Documentaries presents Untouchable: Inside the Red Arrows
New documentary to air Wednesday 27 December 9pm on Sky News, Freeview channel 233
For a screener of the film or interview requests please contact [email protected]
Sky News Documentaries presents Untouchable: Inside the Red Arrows, a powerful one-hour film exploring sexual harassment, sleaze and bullying in the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team (RAFAT), better known as the Red Arrows.
For the first time on camera, victims of the toxic culture speak exclusively to Sky News about the scandal that has shamed a national treasure.
The documentary, voiced by Sky News Security and Defence Editor, Deborah Haynes, hears the stories of four former members of the Red Arrows, who describe a toxic pocket of predatory behaviour in the world-famous aerobatic display squadron.
The victims, whose words are voiced by actors to protect their identities, spoke to Sky News before and after a Royal Air Force investigation found that unacceptable behaviours were widespread and normalised in the Red Arrows.
Air chiefs had hoped their non-statutory inquiry - published in November this year - would draw a line under the crisis. But the victims criticise it as a travesty of justice because of a complete lack of transparency – they have not even received an unredacted version of their own evidence.
In this film, three women and one man raise concerns that the toxic culture impacted flight safety. One victim claims the RAF even considered grounding the Red Arrows last year.
They say they have no faith in the air force to ensure promised change and are urging other victims of unacceptable behaviours across the armed forces to speak out.
The RAF inquiry looked at a period between 2017 and 2021. The air force says it is working hard to change the culture on the squadron, including with new training and leadership.
Untouchable: Inside the Red Arrows will premiere on Wednesday 27th December at 9pm on Sky News - Freeview channel 233, Virgin 603, BT 313, Sky 501.
Sky News Documentaries presents Untouchable: Inside the Red Arrows
New documentary to air Wednesday 27 December 9pm on Sky News, Freeview channel 233
For a screener of the film or interview requests please contact [email protected]
Sky News Documentaries presents Untouchable: Inside the Red Arrows, a powerful one-hour film exploring sexual harassment, sleaze and bullying in the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team (RAFAT), better known as the Red Arrows.
For the first time on camera, victims of the toxic culture speak exclusively to Sky News about the scandal that has shamed a national treasure.
The documentary, voiced by Sky News Security and Defence Editor, Deborah Haynes, hears the stories of four former members of the Red Arrows, who describe a toxic pocket of predatory behaviour in the world-famous aerobatic display squadron.
The victims, whose words are voiced by actors to protect their identities, spoke to Sky News before and after a Royal Air Force investigation found that unacceptable behaviours were widespread and normalised in the Red Arrows.
Air chiefs had hoped their non-statutory inquiry - published in November this year - would draw a line under the crisis. But the victims criticise it as a travesty of justice because of a complete lack of transparency – they have not even received an unredacted version of their own evidence.
In this film, three women and one man raise concerns that the toxic culture impacted flight safety. One victim claims the RAF even considered grounding the Red Arrows last year.
They say they have no faith in the air force to ensure promised change and are urging other victims of unacceptable behaviours across the armed forces to speak out.
The RAF inquiry looked at a period between 2017 and 2021. The air force says it is working hard to change the culture on the squadron, including with new training and leadership.
Untouchable: Inside the Red Arrows will premiere on Wednesday 27th December at 9pm on Sky News - Freeview channel 233, Virgin 603, BT 313, Sky 501.
The following 5 users liked this post by dervish:
From another RAF site:
When I read the recent history of issues on the reds I cannot help thinking, what the hell was the Sqn WO doing about it? He is the one man who could/should have put a stop to it whether it involved ground or aircrew. I wonder if the reds WO is an ex reds SNCO who is already indoctrinated to what was an ‘in house’ way of life on the squadron?
I know the WO who took up post in late 2019. he PVR'd over this behavoiur as the Sqn Execs wouldn't back himclamping down on it. It's had a very serious effect on his MH after finding out his dream job was a fvcking hellhole. He wasn't the choice of the SenGo and Wing Commander at interview but was selected by manning from the MoL post interview.
I don't know what followed him but I was told it was the Execs orginal choice.
When I read the recent history of issues on the reds I cannot help thinking, what the hell was the Sqn WO doing about it? He is the one man who could/should have put a stop to it whether it involved ground or aircrew. I wonder if the reds WO is an ex reds SNCO who is already indoctrinated to what was an ‘in house’ way of life on the squadron?
I know the WO who took up post in late 2019. he PVR'd over this behavoiur as the Sqn Execs wouldn't back himclamping down on it. It's had a very serious effect on his MH after finding out his dream job was a fvcking hellhole. He wasn't the choice of the SenGo and Wing Commander at interview but was selected by manning from the MoL post interview.
I don't know what followed him but I was told it was the Execs orginal choice.
From another RAF site:
When I read the recent history of issues on the reds I cannot help thinking, what the hell was the Sqn WO doing about it? He is the one man who could/should have put a stop to it whether it involved ground or aircrew. I wonder if the reds WO is an ex reds SNCO who is already indoctrinated to what was an ‘in house’ way of life on the squadron?
I know the WO who took up post in late 2019. he PVR'd over this behavoiur as the Sqn Execs wouldn't back himclamping down on it. It's had a very serious effect on his MH after finding out his dream job was a fvcking hellhole. He wasn't the choice of the SenGo and Wing Commander at interview but was selected by manning from the MoL post interview.
I don't know what followed him but I was told it was the Execs orginal choice.
When I read the recent history of issues on the reds I cannot help thinking, what the hell was the Sqn WO doing about it? He is the one man who could/should have put a stop to it whether it involved ground or aircrew. I wonder if the reds WO is an ex reds SNCO who is already indoctrinated to what was an ‘in house’ way of life on the squadron?
I know the WO who took up post in late 2019. he PVR'd over this behavoiur as the Sqn Execs wouldn't back himclamping down on it. It's had a very serious effect on his MH after finding out his dream job was a fvcking hellhole. He wasn't the choice of the SenGo and Wing Commander at interview but was selected by manning from the MoL post interview.
I don't know what followed him but I was told it was the Execs orginal choice.
The following 2 users liked this post by langleybaston:
"Very personally distressing."
Thanks Langleybaston. I wanted to say something but I didn't know how to respond and closed PPRuNe in despair. Your message came in to my email box and summed up my thoughts too.
There's not even a suitable emoji.
Thanks Langleybaston. I wanted to say something but I didn't know how to respond and closed PPRuNe in despair. Your message came in to my email box and summed up my thoughts too.
There's not even a suitable emoji.
Originally Posted by [email protected]
We used to have an excellent way of representing the RAF (and the RN) in the military SAR Force but this was moved out of the military and into commercial aviation.
Most people recognised either the yellow RAF aircraft or the grey RN ones and knew that the crews were military and spent 98% of their time rescuing civilians from life and health threatening situations, some very high profile.
We were sacrificed on the altar of Defence spending cuts because we weren't a 'core-military capability' despite a constant presence in the Falklands and providing our paramedic winchmen to MERT crews in Afghanistan.
Now the commercial operator is running out of rearcrew because they can't poach them from the military, where they used to be excellently trained.
A short sighted vision of the RAF/RN future by ambitious senior officers - if they had defended the SAR Force even half as much as the Reds, military crews would still be training and delivering top drawer SAR.
Those military crews who moved to the contractor have ensured the high standards remained but it would have been so much better to have kept those skills and personnel in house.
Most people recognised either the yellow RAF aircraft or the grey RN ones and knew that the crews were military and spent 98% of their time rescuing civilians from life and health threatening situations, some very high profile.
We were sacrificed on the altar of Defence spending cuts because we weren't a 'core-military capability' despite a constant presence in the Falklands and providing our paramedic winchmen to MERT crews in Afghanistan.
Now the commercial operator is running out of rearcrew because they can't poach them from the military, where they used to be excellently trained.
A short sighted vision of the RAF/RN future by ambitious senior officers - if they had defended the SAR Force even half as much as the Reds, military crews would still be training and delivering top drawer SAR.
Those military crews who moved to the contractor have ensured the high standards remained but it would have been so much better to have kept those skills and personnel in house.
Back on topic this is a very difficult and delicate situation and i do not envy those in the team be it new pilots or ground crew selected, I do not envy those who have not been in the accusation crosshairs either., the scandal and then there is the technical side - of whats after the Hawk T1?
However lets look at past display teams personnel who have ended up in hot water legally wise in the past
- AAC Blue Eagles pilot (one of the 90s teams) i believe was stripped of everything and prosecuted for some crimes of a sexual nature so i heard..
- former Chinook display pilot recently has been done for sexual assault of another female officer.....the anti mil brigade, couple with the media will start painting the RAF in a very bad light....
I am all for due process, careful investigation and innocent till proven guilty but look at society as it is, be it woke, PC or what not....in their eyes (and I am quoting from the excellent Joss Wheddon series The Dollhouse here) "That all men are guilty proven dead" pretty much isn't it?
Taking into account, that the Reds displays bring value not just from joe public for support and recruiting tool, I have to admit when the RoKAF Black Eagles (on their first ever Uk visit) turned up at Waddo Air Show 2012, they kind of beat the Reds at their display was something a lot of peeps said after the show. I was very impressed, with their black and yellow T-50, Looking at the global pictures what will be the Patrouille de France's next mount after Alpha Jet, the Frecce Tricoleri have the MB345 to replace their MB339 and the spanish Patrula Aguila probably get the Pilatus Pc-21 replacing their C-101 Aviojet.
btw is anyone watched the documentary earlier tonight on sky?
Cheers
Poorly produced programme with a political context albeit dealing with a highly sensitive and important issue. It seems apparent that the concept of a rank structure providing discipline and authority has been diluted over the last few years.
As an aside I was surprised to find that neither the Chief of the Air Staff nor his Deputy were aircrew - competent chaps I'm sure but just seems wrong somehow but then I am very old school !
As an aside I was surprised to find that neither the Chief of the Air Staff nor his Deputy were aircrew - competent chaps I'm sure but just seems wrong somehow but then I am very old school !
I don't know about the style or production values, but it was valuable seeing the cases gathered together. It gave the subject more substance, although disappointing they concentrated on just a few short years as if that were the beginning and end of it. I didn't expect them to target one named individual so strongly. Looks like they have a lot more evidence that's been held back. Sweaty collar time. Wonder if the victims are considering further action?
Any truth in the rumour this is the first in a series?
Nor should it be. It's clear that the victims haven't had satisfactory closure, which they rightly deserve.
The following 3 users liked this post by BEagle:
Absolutely correct BEagle - that was my takaway as well. I just watched the program and as someone who was associated with the Red's over many years (but was never on the team in any way!), the allegations against them were kind of a 'no $hit - everyone knows they are a poisionous bunch'. What really struck me was the way in which it is crystal clear that the RAF, to the very highest level in the form of CAS Wigston, did everything they could to disregard the victims and protect the boys in red/blue. The RAF were never going to allow an outside investigation because they knew what it would discover. I promise you that the outcome of the NSI was predetermined by CAS - he told the team what an acceptable result would be.
There has always been a huge element of hypocrisy around the team. When RAFAT gained their first female pilot, she was paraded around the media, on Loose Women, GMTV and everything else, extolling the merits of the female who 'made the team'. A few years later, after she had an affair with the Boss and destoyed his marriage, where were those shows to tell us how it had worked out? Radio silence. Pure hypocrisy.
People often talk about the recruitment pull of the Reds. Those days are now dead I am afraid. What self-respecting father would allow his daughter to join an organization that victimizes victims and covers up it's own internal investigations? I would urge anyone to boycott any airshow in which the Reds are appearing - why encourage their behaviour - stay away and let the airshow organizer know you will only be coming if the Red's don't appear. They definitely have an effect on recruiting - they make people stay away in droves.
The best recruiting tool the RAF could have would be to disband the Red Arrows, and state clearly and unequivocally that it has done so to ensure fairness and equality at all levels within the service- - that would encourage young people to join. They should use it as a statement about how seriously they take this situation. But they won't, and the next time a Red's member is abused, I hope that the entire command chain goes to prison - they will deserve it.
There has always been a huge element of hypocrisy around the team. When RAFAT gained their first female pilot, she was paraded around the media, on Loose Women, GMTV and everything else, extolling the merits of the female who 'made the team'. A few years later, after she had an affair with the Boss and destoyed his marriage, where were those shows to tell us how it had worked out? Radio silence. Pure hypocrisy.
People often talk about the recruitment pull of the Reds. Those days are now dead I am afraid. What self-respecting father would allow his daughter to join an organization that victimizes victims and covers up it's own internal investigations? I would urge anyone to boycott any airshow in which the Reds are appearing - why encourage their behaviour - stay away and let the airshow organizer know you will only be coming if the Red's don't appear. They definitely have an effect on recruiting - they make people stay away in droves.
The best recruiting tool the RAF could have would be to disband the Red Arrows, and state clearly and unequivocally that it has done so to ensure fairness and equality at all levels within the service- - that would encourage young people to join. They should use it as a statement about how seriously they take this situation. But they won't, and the next time a Red's member is abused, I hope that the entire command chain goes to prison - they will deserve it.
FB
I was going to stand off on this subject because of the volatile emotions already over boiling. However, I would ask one question, when did this all start? One presumes that it wasn't present at the start, Lee Jones and Ray Hannah would never have known any such thing, nor one imagines would much later members, so I imagine. So where's it all gone wrong?
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A culture of harassment grows from somewhere. I’m not talking about the people that you’ve mentioned however, in an RAF where this behaviour is absolutely abhorrent and is now unacceptable, it doesn’t suddenly start. It’s been there for a long time but was so part of the culture, that new members, as part of the minority, grew to acccept the culture of the majority and so became part of the problem.
The recent reports of inappropriate behaviour, in addition to change of personnel, should lead to a change in culture and hopefully this will never happen again.
The Red Arrows never stopped being good at what they do; they are excellent, and have had outstanding personnel, mostly. As a recruitment tool however, a culture change which is acknowledged would be a good start if the Red Arrows are believed to be a recruitment asset.
Last edited by Toadstool; 28th Dec 2023 at 16:29.
FB
A culture of harassment grows from somewhere. I’m not talking about the people that you’ve mentioned however, in an RAF where this behaviour is absolutely abhorrent and is now unacceptable, it doesn’t suddenly start. It’s been there for a long time but was so part of the culture, that new members, as part of the minority, grew to acccept the culture of the majority and so became part of the problem.
The recent reports of inappropriate behaviour, in addition to change of personnel, should lead to a change in culture and hopefully this will never happen again.
The Red Arrows never stopped being good at what they do; they are excellent, and have had outstanding personnel, mostly. As a recruitment tool however, a culture change which is acknowledged would be a good start if the Red Arrows are believed to be a recruitment asset.
A culture of harassment grows from somewhere. I’m not talking about the people that you’ve mentioned however, in an RAF where this behaviour is absolutely abhorrent and is now unacceptable, it doesn’t suddenly start. It’s been there for a long time but was so part of the culture, that new members, as part of the minority, grew to acccept the culture of the majority and so became part of the problem.
The recent reports of inappropriate behaviour, in addition to change of personnel, should lead to a change in culture and hopefully this will never happen again.
The Red Arrows never stopped being good at what they do; they are excellent, and have had outstanding personnel, mostly. As a recruitment tool however, a culture change which is acknowledged would be a good start if the Red Arrows are believed to be a recruitment asset.
FB
Indeed, but calls by Lucifer, for example, for people to boycott air shows if the Red Arrows are on the billing is quite unnecessary. This is going down the road of running away from Police "men" as some advocated in the light of the Derek Cousens rape/murder of Sarah Everard, its over emotional. As I believe you're suggesting, this needs to be dealt with and assigned to history while hopefully the more Gentlemanly culture, which I thought was largely there in my time, comes to the fore again. Although to give weight to your point there certainly was a rather more familiar carry on between men and women some years ago, and swung both ways, although nothing to get upset about. As best as I can recall.
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CG