If you’ve been seeing a Facebook post about the Red Arrows stopping on their way to America, you are looking at live updates from their massive transatlantic journey that just kicked off today (Wednesday, June 17, 2026)!
The Royal Air Force’s aerobatics team has officially begun Operation Eagle Hawk, a month-long summer tour across the United States to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence.
Because the iconic Hawk T.1A jets have a limited flying range of about 700 miles and cannot refuel in mid-air, they have to “island hop” across the Atlantic.
The Transatlantic Pit Stops
The team set off from their home base at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire and are making six crucial refuelling stops on their grueling three-day trek to Martin State Airport (near Washington, D.C.):
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Stop 1: Stornoway, Scotland (They landed here this morning around 10:00 AM and departed later in the afternoon)
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Stop 2: Iceland
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Stop 3: Greenland
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Stop 4: Canada
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Stops 5 & 6: Final legs into the USA
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