Armed Forces Day 2024 Jordanstown, Newtownabbey: Red Arrows team to perform maneuvers 'not seen for a generation' in first nine-jet display since 2021

By Philip Bradfield
Published 19th Jun 2024, 17:20 BST
Updated 21st Jun 2024, 17:00 BST
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This weekend's Armed Forces Day in Newtownabbey is expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors - with a special expanded Red Arrows team performing maneuvers "not seen for a generation".

Armed Forces Day was last hosted in Newtownabbey in 2016 when over 15,000 people attended - but this time the council is expecting "tens of thousands" to attend, with various attractions raised a notch even higher than usual.

The day will have a unique carry-over from D-Day celebrations only a few weeks ago, with the unveiling of a D-Day memorial and hopes that D-Day Veteran George Horner will attend.

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It will also be the only appearance in Northern Ireland this year of the RAF Red Arrows display team, who will headline the event with a special 20-minute aerobatic display. This will be the first nine-aircraft show since 2021 and will feature manoeuvres not seen for a generation.

The Red Arrows with a Typhoon FGR4 aircraft perform a flypast during the UK national commemorative event for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, held at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer, Normandy, France. A nine-jet formation will perform a display not seen for a generation in Jordanstown this weekend. Photo: PAThe Red Arrows with a Typhoon FGR4 aircraft perform a flypast during the UK national commemorative event for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, held at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer, Normandy, France. A nine-jet formation will perform a display not seen for a generation in Jordanstown this weekend. Photo: PA
The Red Arrows with a Typhoon FGR4 aircraft perform a flypast during the UK national commemorative event for the 80th anniversary of D-Day, held at the British Normandy Memorial in Ver-sur-Mer, Normandy, France. A nine-jet formation will perform a display not seen for a generation in Jordanstown this weekend. Photo: PA

An additional bonus this time around will be the appearance of an iconic WWII plane, the Lancaster Bomber.

Plus, after an unusually cold and wet June so far, the Met Office is predicting temperatures reaching 18C without rain for the area.

Over 600 military personnel will take part in a Drumhead Service at Whiteabbey War Memorial before parading to Jordanstown Loughshore Park.

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Past, present and future military personnel and will feature the Bands of HM Royal Marines and the Royal Irish Regiment. The Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank and Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicle will also be making special appearances.

From left, Lt Col Kevin Thomas, Lt Cdr Mark McCrea and Wg Cdr Jacqueline Rankin help launch Northern Ireland Armed Forces Day 2024 which will take place at Jordanstown Loughshore on Saturday 22 June.From left, Lt Col Kevin Thomas, Lt Cdr Mark McCrea and Wg Cdr Jacqueline Rankin help launch Northern Ireland Armed Forces Day 2024 which will take place at Jordanstown Loughshore on Saturday 22 June.
From left, Lt Col Kevin Thomas, Lt Cdr Mark McCrea and Wg Cdr Jacqueline Rankin help launch Northern Ireland Armed Forces Day 2024 which will take place at Jordanstown Loughshore on Saturday 22 June.

The Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Councillor, Neil Kelly, said: “It is an honour for the council to once again host Armed Forces Day in our Borough. We welcomed over 15,000 visitors to Antrim when we hosted this prestigious event in 2016.

“There is a sterling line-up planned for Armed Forces Day 2024 including a special aerobatic display by the Red Arrows as part of their diamond season.

“I would ask all visitors to carefully plan their journey in advance and check out the Council website for travel arrangements that have been put in place for the event.”

The free event takes is 10am-6pm this Saturday at Jordanstown Loughshore Park. For Park and Ride routes see: www.antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/armedforcesday

Related topics:Red ArrowsNewtownabbeyArmed ForcesMet OfficeAntrim

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