GAZELLE SQUADRON - Key Persons
Anthea joined the Gazelle Squadron Display Team in 2018 as volunteer ground crew and doesn't regret it.
As volunteer ground-crew her role is varied including marshalling the helicopters and helping out and assisting where needed. Anthea excels at interacting with the public at the shows, with a ready smile she ensures that the team is more accessible to the public and willingly shares the history and information of these fantastic helicopters with anyone who dares to listen!
So come and say hello to her and introduce yourself, she's looking forward to seeing you there and sharing stories.
Bruce is the boss - Nobody argues with him, not even Tim Peake or Sir David Jason!
Jim Richards who is currently flying Gazelle No 3 joined the Army straight from school at the age of 18. He was commissioned into The Royal Artillery in 1991 - the same regiment as his Grandfather, Father and Uncle served in. He completed the Commando course after his officer training and served with the Royal Marines in 29 Commando Regiment RA during which time he completed tours in Norway, Belize, Kuwait and Cyprus. He then signed up for the Army Pilots Course, which he completed in 1996 and was posted to 1 Regiment AAC where he served in Germany, Canada, Belize and Kenya. He was selected to fly with the Blue Eagles Helicopter Display Team in 2000. With over 1,200 hours on the Gazelle, Jim is now a business man working across Europe and fly's in his spare time.
Mitch is one of the longest serving members of the current team and has been with the Squadron since its inception over 10 years ago.
He set out as an Army apprentice avionics technician responsible for keeping these wonderful machines in the air but soon decided that flying them was more fun so transferred to the Army Air Corps where he spent his career flying the Gazelle and Westland Lynx.
He flew with the Army during the first Gulf War and later in Kosovo and Albania as part of the NATO peace keeping mission.
After leaving the services at the age of 40 he continued to fly the Gazelle as a reservist and now plies his trade as a commercial airline pilot for Virgin Atlantic flying the airbus A350.
Paul is a fixed wing pilot he pays the bills and makes sure that the aircraft are ready for the shows.....
Ray is our very own Father Christmas / Easter Bunny.
Famed for his Quartermaster skills, Ray is one of only two ex Navy members of the Squadron and has the rather useful skill of being able to navigate the UK's airspace by Pub names!
We tend not to annoy Ray because his specialist skill is explosives and he can easily create an explosive device from some sticky backed plastic and a couple of pairs "of Val's old knickers!" He's a tremendous ambassador for Naomi House and a very willing and capable member of the Squadron.
Wilf is the Squadron's grandee, he's got a million miles on the clock but he's an eminent aviator and respected by all.
It is rumoured that Wilf was Pontius Pilot's instructor, but with umpteen thousand hours on the sticks he's been there, seen it and has, most definitely got the tee shirt.