Plymouth gets set for Armed Forces Weekend
Plymouth Armed Forces Weekend arrives to The Hoe this Saturday and Sunday (25 and 26 June).
This year’s event is set to be bigger and better than any other, a whopping 50,000 people attended last year’s event urging us to extend the event and bring you a whole weekend of thrilling entertainment, inspirational shows and intriguing displays.
The intention of the weekend for Plymouth is to say a big Thank You to the Armed Services, their families and our veterans.
The aim of the event from the MOD; is to raise awareness of and support for our Armed Forces community and celebrate the outstanding contribution it makes to our country.
Plans include:
Saturday 25 June – 10am to 10.30pm
Villages & Arena Displays:
Veterans Village Sponsored by Royal British Legion
Hidden Heritage Living History Zone
Royal Naval Village
Army Village
RAF Village
Emergency Services Displays
Event Programme:
The annual RAF and Allied Air Forces Monument Service supported by the Royal Marine Band, Plymouth in the Arena
Veterans parade on the Hoe including over 30 Royal British Legion Standards
Plymouth Youth Music Service (PYMS) Stage
Cadets Corps of Drums and Drill Display team in the Arena
HMS Raleigh Training School Arms Drill Display with the Royal Marine Band, Plymouth in the Arena
Military Kids Choir and Community Covenant Speech on the main stage
Plymouth Drake Sea Cadets in the Arena
Company B - 7 piece rowdy energetic jump jive band that bring an era of musical vintage bang up to date with their show performance on the main stage
The Rifles Freedom of the City Parade and led by The Rifles Band and Bugles
HMNB Devonport V HMS Raleigh Field Gun Competition in the Arena. Babcock Cup Presentation in the Arena
Jnr Field Gun Run. RM Volunteer cadet Corp. V Pennycross Primary School in the Arena
SW Massed Pipe Band in the Arena
RAF Air Cadets continuity drill display team in the Arena
Air Displays sponsored by UTC Aerospace Systems
Evening Stage Entertainment:
Military Wives Choir
The Function Band of HM Royal Marines Band Plymouth
Phil Collins tribute - straight out of the tribute top drawer
Red Hot Chilli Pipers – the most famous bagpipe band on the planet…it’s Bagrock!
Birmingham Blues Brothers – On a Mission in Plymouth
Sunday 26 June – 10am to 4pm
Junior Field Gun competition and competition trophy presentations
Feu de Joie from 29 CMDO Royal Artillery Citadel with Royal Marine Band, Plymouth
32nd Cornwall Regiment of Foot (Napoleonic era) drill display, marching and musket firing display
Air Displays sponsored by UTC Aerospace Systems
Other activities throughout Armed Forces Week
Armed Forces Day Flag Raising Event on Monday 20 June in front of the Plymouth Guildhall, the Royal Citadel Open Day on Saturday 25 June, 12.30 - 4.30pm and the Children and Young People's Services have planned a HMS Heroes Service Children’s Voice Awards, The HMS Heroes small marquee, a competition for art and design and much more.
For a full list of events and activities, click here
Some of the world’s greatest - and bravest - pilots will be taking to the skies over Plymouth to thrill visitors in this year’s Armed Forces Weekend Air Show.
A combination of speed, extreme manoeuvrability, synchronised air acrobatics and split-second timing will keep the crowds on the Hoe cheering for more.
Daredevil highlights include the six-aircraft Yakovlevs Team, flying authentic cold war Russian war-birds, the Muscle-Pitts aerobatic biplane and the amazing Red Devils Parachute team.
And the world-famous civilian team the Blades - which is made up entirely of former RAF Red Arrows pilots - will be roaring across the city’s skies with their breathtaking manoeuvers.
Plymouth City Council cabinet member for culture Councillor Glenn Jordan said: “We have pulled out all the stops this year and there will be almost as much to see in the air over Plymouth as there will be on the ground.
“The action will have everything from beautiful, lovingly restored and still flying vintage favourites to nail-biting, heart-stopping synchronised aerobatics.
“Many of the pilots are serving, or former servicemen, and the Armed Forces Weekend Air Show will demonstrate the flying skills that have saved countless lives all over the world.”
Vintage planes taking part include the Strikemaster Jet, the 1940’s designed Pitts biplane - used by the world-famous TRIG Aerobatics Team - and the Russian MIG-15.
It’s not just the men who will be showing us their nerves of steel with popular show favourites the Brietling all woman wing walking group making a welcome return.
And it doesn’t have to be fixed wing aircraft to make the cut with the Royal Navy’s four-man helicopter team the Blackcats showing the flying skills they have deployed in countless war zones all over the world.
The event is sponsored by Plymouth based UTC Aerospace Systems. Managing Director Kevin Pindard said: “Once again we are delighted to be sponsoring the excellent Plymouth Armed Forces Weekend air show.
“It gives us such a great opportunity to show our commitment to, and pride in, our armed forces.
“The guidance technology developed and manufactured by our 270-strong team here in Plymouth supports UK forces around the world and our TERPROM® digital terrain system makes life safer for RAF pilots in their everyday operations. We wish everyone in Plymouth a wonderful Armed Forces Weekend!
