See Britain’s Royal Air Force celebrate its 100th birthday with this huge flyover
By Andrew C. Jarocki
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LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 10: In this handout image provided by the Ministry of Defence, Typhoon aircraft forming "RAF100" over the Mall and Buckingham Palace during RAF 100 celebrations on July 10, 2018 in London, England. A centenary parade and a flypast of up to 100 aircraft over Buckingham Palace takes place today to mark the Royal Air Forces' 100th birthday. (Photo by Ministry of Defence via Getty Images)
Royal Air Force (RAF) Chinooks from RAF Odiham flew in the lead formation, along with Pumas from RAF Benson, for the RAF100 flypast through London during RAF 100 celebrations. (Photo by Ministry of Defence via Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 10: In this handout image provided by the Ministry of Defence, a trio of F-35B Lightning II aircraft of 617 Squadron taking part in the RAF100 parade and flypast over Buckingham Palace during RAF 100 celebrations on July 10, 2018 in London, England. A centenary parade and a flypast of up to 100 aircraft over Buckingham Palace takes place today to mark the Royal Air Forces' 100th birthday. (Photo by Ministry of Defence via Getty Images)
A Second World War Lancaster bomber and Spitfires fly in formation on the centenary of the formation of the RAF on the eighth day of the 2018 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 10, 2018. (OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images)
Military aircraft form a tight formation over the Queen Victoria Memorial (QVM) on the Mall outside Buckingham Palace in London. The Queen and members of the royal family took part a series of engagements on July 10 to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force. (TOLGA AKMEN/AFP/Getty Images)
The Red Arrows take part in a fly-past over Buckingham Palace, leaving colorful smoke trails. Photo by Paul Grover - WPA Pool/Getty Images)
The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team joins the nearly 100 other planes in marking a century of RAF service. (Photo by Ministry of Defence via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON ― The British Royal Air Force celebrated a century of service with a skilled flyover of London on July 10, demonstrating formations and showcasing dozens of current and historical aircraft.
One hundred aircraft with nearly 200 aircrew from 25 different squadrons, operating from 14 military stations and two civilian airfields, took part, according to an RAF publication.
Participating planes included the F-35B Lightning II and World War II-era planes like the Lancaster bomber and Spitfire fighter.
The RAF earned high praise from the queen during the festivities, who noted the RAF’s “remarkable contribution to defense” of the nation.
As the RAF prepares for the next 100 years, modernization programs like the F-35 acquisitions are sure to shape the force.
About Andrew C. Jarocki
Andrew is a student in the class of 2020 at the University of Notre Dame.
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