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_1.jpg
Copyright: Richard Baker
Image Size: 3072x3021 / 1.3MB; red arrows RAF reds landscape military precision excellence team teamwork eclat elite performance manual skill talent aviation class distinction eminent excellent quality prestigious symbol Britain British year loved iconic red control entertainment airplane Cyprus RAF Akrotiri Limassol training ditching wet drill practice rehearsal survival mediterranean ocean life vest rescue ejection recovery afloat leader example vulnerable aviator exceptional akrotiri MoD squadron pilot
Contained in galleries: Red Arrows - Richard Baker, Richard Baker - All pics

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.