The King Hussein Memorial Sword (Best Overall Flying Demonstration):
Krila Oluje Aerobatic Team
The 'As the Crow Flies' Trophy (FRIAT Trophy):
USAF F-22A Raptor Demo Team
The Steedman Display Sword (Best Flying Demonstration by a UK Participant):
Nat Makepeace - BAE Systems Typhoon FGR4
The Paul Bowen Trophy (Best Solo Jet Demonstration):
French Air Force Rafale C
The Sir Douglas Bader Trophy (Best Individual Flying Demonstration):
Swedish JAS-39C Gripen
The RAFCTE Trophy (Best Flying Demonstration by an Overseas Participant):
French Air Force Ramex Delta Mirage 2000N Display Team
Best Paint Scheme Award:
French Air Force Ramex Delta Mirage 2000N Display Team
2016..The F-35 Year!!..Finally the long awaited F-35 Lightning II made his debut this summer in UK. RIAT 2016 will surely be remembered for this for long time. Raf Fairford hosted not only the F-35B from the US Marine Corps together with the first RAF F-35 B which showed the STOVL skills of that aircraft and performed a vertical landing, bringing memories back to the Harrier times, but also the USAF was able to bring to RIAT the Air Force version of the type (F-35A) with the Heritage flight Demo Team, showing formation flights with the F-22 and the P-51 Mustang.
It is true..the F-35 is what majority of people will remember about this year edition, but many many other quality displays were present as well. USAF F-22 Raptor, Italian Air Force Frecce Tricolori and EF-2000, French Rafale and the Ramex Delta Display with Mirage 2000N. Ramex Delta were unfortunately on their last display season and one of the two Mirage had a beautiful paint scheme remebering the 100 years of the Lafayette squadron.
Many F-16s displays..Polish, Belgian, Turkish and Greek, USAFE MV-22 Osprey, Airbus A-400, Bae Systems Typhoon, Polish Mig-29, Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet, Red Arrows and many other displays made RIAT the best military airshow in europe for sure!…. It will be difficult for organizers to do better for next year..but we all are confident they will do their best for another spectacular unique airshow!
