It strikes me that running a free-standing, non-operational display team is a peace-time luxury that we can't afford any more. I realise that the Reds are not, in the big order of things, hugely expensive, but I'm still unclear why the RAF can run a display team, and not the Royal Navy or the Army.
The idea that some of our most talented pilots get rewarded with two years away from the front line seems to be a kick in the face for the SH and AT lads/lasses who are working very hard without enough resources.
Admittedly the Army have the Household Division, but they get to go to sandy/rocky places in between their ceremonial duties in London/Windsor.