The Royal Air Force's world-renowned aerobatic display team, the Red Arrows, has entered a new era with the appointment of its first-ever female commanding officer. Wing Commander Sasha Nash has taken over the role of Officer Commanding (OC) of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team (RAFAT), marking a historic first in the team's six-decade history.
A Landmark Appointment for the Red Arrows
Wg Cdr Nash, who began her first full week in command in mid-January 2026, succeeds Wing Commander Adam Collins. She now leads the 150-strong team of RAF and civilian personnel based at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire. Expressing her pride, Nash described the position as the "opportunity of a lifetime."
"If someone had told me 20 years ago that, one day, I'd be Officer Commanding of the Red Arrows, I don't think I would have believed it," she stated. Her appointment follows a period of scrutiny for the team after a 2023 inquiry uncovered a culture where predatory behaviour towards women was 'widespread and normalised', with the RAF admitting women had been viewed as 'property'.
From Childhood Dream to Fast-Jet Command
Nash's aviation passion was ignited in childhood. "I was a six-year-old little girl when I decided to join the Royal Air Force and to fly fast jets – inspired by air shows," she recalled. That ambition led her to secure a sixth-form scholarship and a university bursary before joining the RAF.
An experienced fast-jet pilot, her operational background includes flying the RAF's Tornado GR4 on the frontline, including in Afghanistan. Beyond aviation, she has represented England in lacrosse at both junior and senior levels. Prior to this command, she worked with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at RAF Coningsby.
Her primary goal is to inspire future generations. "I'm incredibly proud and excited to now, as OC RAFAT, be commanding a team whose aim is to represent the UK and help inspire future generations of aviators from all backgrounds," Nash said.
Looking Ahead to a New Season
The new commander takes charge as the team prepares for its busy display season, which typically begins in late May. She paid tribute to her predecessor, Wg Cdr Collins, who completed a "hugely successful" three-year tour that included the team's 60th-anniversary season and a major tour of Canada.
Collins expressed confidence in his successor, stating, "I am confident that, under her leadership, the Red Arrows will continue to demonstrate our recipe of precision, excellence and teamwork across the globe." In 2024, Collins had asserted the team had moved on from past harassment claims, emphasising his focus on making people feel "included, valued and respected"—a legacy Nash is now tasked with continuing and building upon as the Red Arrows' first female leader.
