RAF fly in to give Wales v New Zealand a lift and celebrate historic ties

THE RAF Centenary will kick-off this weekend when airmen and women provide the pre-match build-up to the Wales v all Blacks clash.

The RAF’s world-renowned Queen’s Colour Squadron elite drill team will take to the pitch at Principality Stadium as part of the pre-match entertainment when they perform their drill to music by the Central Band of the RAF.

To give the crowd some ‘hwyl’ before the game the RAF musicians will then accompany massed choirs with some Welsh classics such as Cwm Rhondda, Sospan Fach, Delilah and of course, Hymns and Arias.

Before the kick-off, they will be joined by RAF personnel, many from Wales, with a number playing rugby for the senior RAF men’s or women’s teams. Also on the pitch will be Air Cadets, from cities, towns and villages across Wales and members of the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

A video featuring the RAF’s story, past and present, will be played on the stadium’s big screens before the kick-off.

Spectators are encouraged to arrive early and not miss what will be an afternoon of pre-match entertainment.

There are strong links between Welsh rugby and the Royal Air Force. When Wales beat the All Blacks in 1953, their 13-8 win in Cardiff saw the RAF feature strongly.

The captain on that day was Bleddyn Williams. The ‘Prince of Centres’ was a former RAF glider pilot, while the scorer of the winning try was ex-Flight Sergeant and wing Ken Jones.

Today Sian Williams is a Wales Women’s international and Wales Sevens captain She won her first international cap against Scotland in the 2011 Women’s Six Nations Championship.
She joined the RAF in 2008 and holds the rank of Senior Aircraftsman, serving as a logistician at MoD St Athan near Cardiff.

Saturday’s game also comes at another special time for the RAF, for it was on 28 November 1917 that the Act of Parliament creating the RAF received Royal Assent.  A key architect in setting up the RAF, the world’s first independent air force, was Prime Minister Lloyd George.   One hundred years on, the RAF is honoured to be in the Welsh capital to salute David Lloyd George, a great wartime Prime Minister and a great Welshman.

Various RAF personnel are available for interview during the Wales Captains Run Friday 11-12

Wing Commander Andrew Keith – The Kiwi who is the Red Arrows’ boss

Wg Cdr Keith is a former Royal New Zealand Air force pilot who joined the RAF in 2001 after fast jet flying came to an end in that country. He completed three operational flying tours flying Harriers and was also detached onboard HMS Invincible. He became the commanding officer of the Red Arrows in September 2017.

In this role Andrew is responsible for the Squadron’s flying, engineering, administrative and safety matters and he ensures that the Red Arrows operate in a safe and effective manner, during both practice and displays.

Mike Bowden – Newport boy and Red Arrow
Mike grew up in Newport and his passion for flying grew while he was a pupil at St Joseph’s High School in the city. Mike studied at Cardiff University, sponsored by the RAF where he also completed Elementary Flying Training with the University of Wales Air Squadron. He joined the RAF 2002 and flew Harriers and Tornados before joining the Red Arrows in 2015.

Squadron Leader Caitlin Wroe
Caitlin is an RAF doctor and sportswoman who represents the RAF and tri-service teams at Alpine skiing and Equitation. She has been crowned Combined Services Champion in both sports. She is a fluent in Welsh speaker.

Senior Aircraftsman Sian Williams
Sian is a Wales Women’s international and Wales Sevens captain She won her first international cap against Scotland in the 2011 Women’s Six Nations Championship. She joined the RAF in 2008 and holds the rank of Senior Aircraftsman, serving as a logistician at MoD St Athan near Cardiff.