A NEW officer commanding the RAF Falcons, based at RAF Brize Norton, for the 2021 display season has been announced.

Flight Lieutenant Chris Wilce has taken on the role commanding the parachute display team from Flight Lieutenant Ash Grey-Smart.

This year’s display season was cancelled due to coronavirus, however the team has been conducting essential military parachute training for the 2021 season.

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Flt Lt Wilce said: “It is an honour and a privilege to become the officer commanding of the RAF Falcons. I hope that 2021 will be full of exciting opportunities for the team and our supporters, and together we can bounce back with the rest of the nation from what has been a difficult 2020.”

Flt Lt Grey-Smart added: “To have been a part of the Falcons has been a dream come true, working with some of the most talented members of the defence community has been a privilege and my time on the team has been another small highlight in a career of many.

“I wish Chris and the team every success going forward and hope that they can continue to showcase the vital contribution parachute jumping instructors play in the defence output.”