Blue Eagles

Associated sites:
Army Historic Aircraft Flight | The Museum of Army Flying | Army Air Corps Recruiting

The Blue Eagles 2004 at the 60th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings

All pictures on this page by WO2 Steve Prendergast RLC, Army Photographer

The Team departed on their first official outing over the Weekend (04 – 06 June 2004) to display at Chateau Benouville near Caen, France as part of the commemorations for the 60th Anniversary of D-Day. It was a huge honour for us to be a part of the weekend’s events and the display was watched and enjoyed by HRH Prince Charles and various senior military personnel and dignitaries who have helped support the D-Day events over the years. We were due to lift at 1000 hrs on Friday 04 June but fate had it, as was the case 60 years ago, that the weather in France delayed our departure until later in the day. Immersion suits were eventually donned and we finally got away and made the short trip across the water from Bournemouth to Cherbourg before landing at Ranville, our home for the weekend.

"Where are we supposed to stay?" I asked. "See those canvas mounds over there? Those are 2 tents – bye" was the distressing reply. The Team promptly arranged a quick exit left to carry out a recce of the display area, leaving yours truly and the technicians to muddle through putting the tents up. In our defence, they remained standing for the duration but I think we were lucky there was no wind or rain! (Photographic evidence required of the team manager with dirty, blistered hands exists to show that he is capable of hard work – when pushed – Ed).

We were happy to live under these fairly luxurious Army field conditions because of the nature of the event and the fact that we were supporting our own – the Glider Pilot Regiment was the forerunner of the present day Army Air Corps – and it is vitally important for all of us to appreciate the history surrounding events such as Normandy. Glider Pilot Regiment Association (GPRA) members were present in large numbers over the weekend and it was a proud and humbling experience to talk to them about their experiences. [I don’t want other show organisers to think they will get away with accommodating us in tents, because they won’t!]

The airspace in the Caen area had been designated a Restricted Operating Zone (ROZ) by the French Air Force which made any flights particularly difficult to clear and coordinate. We never the less managed to conduct two good rehearsals at midday on 05 June before the actual display at 1945 hrs at the chateau. I would like to thank Sqn Ldr Guy Pickett, the Strike Command French Liaison Officer (LO) for all his work in making our sorties happen.

The HQ Director of Army Aviation’s French LO, Lt Col Guillame Saint-Jean, deployed with the Team (as he had done to Dax – the home of the French Army Air Corps – a few weeks ago, obviously not one to shy away from volunteering for overseas trips!) to commentate in French along side me. Following the parachute display by the Red Devils, the Blue Eagles display was extremely well received and the numerous positive comments made included a personal one from HRH Prince Charles to me, thanking and congratulating the team on their performance.

Saturday evening was spent at Café Gondrée on Pegasus Bridge with a multi national gathering of several thousand who were in Normandy for the commemorative event. The Vets, as ever, were on great form and the venue was the perfect place to spend time with old friends.
We departed for Middle Wallop at 1030 hrs on Sunday 06 June – just avoiding becoming embroiled in the arrival of Air Force 1 amongst other high powered visitors. Our route back to Middle Wallop took us past the Isle of Wight and we were able to take the opportunity to conduct a fly past for the air show taking place at Sandown.

A Palmer
Team Manager

(PS. I was the commentator at Sandown on Sunday, the kind gesture by the Blue Eagles thrilled the crowd there so much that the air show organisers asked me to pass on their sincerest thanks the Team for their efforts. It also highlighted the role of Army pilots in the Normandy operations, as the Sandown airshow theme this year was the 60th anniversary of D-Day. Good job all round! – Ed.)

7 June 2004

Archived news is available by clicking here.

[ Home ]