Cyprus - Akrotiri - Rescue at sea training

In a red helmet, Squadron Leader Spike Jepson, team leader of the elite 'Red Arrows', Britain's prestigious Royal Air Force aerobatic team, plunges into the blue Mediterranean waters for his annual Wet Drill exercise during Spring training in Cyprus. We see the pilot, small in the picture surrounded by frothing, blue water that engulfs his small body making him look vulnerable. There are lines attaching him to a boat ensuring his safety. The rehearsal is to practise a helicopter recovery after a fast-jet ejection over the sea. His RAF-issue life vest (containing a vital life-raft) has inflated when in contact with the salt water and helps him stay afloat in the cold water. This yearly event is required of all flying personnel to ensure that any accident over water can reach a positive outcome - by the rescuing of an expensively-trained pilot or navigator. .

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Filename: Red_Arrows039_RBA.jpg
Image Size: 3725x3663 / 5.9MB; adventure red arrows RAF reds blues landscape aerobatics aerobatic squadron military squadron leader flight lieutenant precision excellence trainer flying aircraft jet team teamwork official authority pilot pilots air crew eclat elite best performance plane planes perfection pattern shape manual skill skilled talent aviation class distinction eminent excellent fine good great high quality merit pure quality superb supreme worth prestige prestigious symbol Britain British year defence defense MoD loved iconic red Richard Baker photographer ultimate pinnacle absolute control perfect trail Royal Air Force recruitment entertainment airplane aeronautical flight lieutenant institution Cyprus RAF Akrotiri Limassol training ditching wet drill practice rehearsal survival mediterranean ocean life vest rescue ejection recovery afloat leader example vulnerable aviator exceptional highy-skilled akrotiri disbandment air boss
Contained in galleries: Red Arrows (Best 100), Red Arrows (Full edit)

In a red helmet, Squadron Leader Spike Jepson, team leader of the elite 'Red Arrows', Britain's prestigious Royal Air Force aerobatic team, plunges into the blue Mediterranean waters for his annual Wet Drill exercise during Spring training in Cyprus. We see the pilot, small in the picture surrounded by frothing, blue water that engulfs his small body making him look vulnerable. There are lines attaching him to a boat ensuring his safety. The rehearsal is to practise a helicopter recovery after a fast-jet ejection over the sea. His RAF-issue life vest (containing a vital life-raft) has inflated when in contact with the salt water and helps him stay afloat in the cold water. This yearly event is required of all flying personnel to ensure that any accident over water can reach a positive outcome - by the rescuing of an expensively-trained pilot or navigator. .