Chinook Display

Introducing the team!

Our final member of the team, at the front of the cabin will be Sgt Joshua Lyons.

Josh, originally from Penkridge, Staffordshire, joined the RAF in 2014 as an Aerospace Systems Operator, and was posted to 1 Air Control Centre at RAF Scampton. In 2017, he re-traded to become a Weapons Systems Operator. He completed Rotary Flying Training at RAF Shawbury in 2019, flying the Juno HT1. Following this he completed his Chinook Operational Conversion Unit at 28 (AC) Sqn, RAF Benson, before being posted to RAF Odiham in Dec 2020.

In his 5 years on the Chinook Force, Josh has accumulated over 1200 flying hours on the Chinook, deployed on numerous Operational Deployments, flown on the King’s Coronation Flypast and embarked on HMS Queen Elizabeth. In addition, he has trained on overseas exercises in Sweden, Denmark, Poland, Cyprus, Jordan & the USA.

Outside of work, he enjoys travelling, skiing, and for his sins, is a season ticket holder at Wolverhampton Wanderers. He lives local to RAF Odiham with his French Bulldog, Cody.

Having grown up just 8 miles from , Josh is immensely proud to return to his home air show, on Sunday!

Introducing the team!

Joining Cal in the cockpit this year is our co-pilot, Flt Lt Jacob “CJ” Cameron-Johnson.

CJ, originally from Cottingham, East Riding of Yorkshire, joined the RAF in 2016 as a Direct Entry Pilot after a short stint as a student on Yorkshire Universities Air Squadron. After Initial Officer Training, followed by Elementary Flying Training on the Grob 120TP Prefect he was streamed rotary and, after completion of Basic and Advanced Rotary Training at RAF Shawbury, was awarded his wings in Dec 2021. He then spent 12 months flying Air Cadets and other Air Experience passengers in the Grob Tutor as part of No5 Air Experience Flight at RAF Wittering, prior to starting the Chinook Operational Conversion Unit on 28 (AC) Squadron. After finishing the OCU in Nov 23, he was posted to RAF Odiham to begin his frontline career.

Having been a part of the Chinook Force for approximately 18 months, CJ has deployed twice overseas in support of Operations, as well as multiple exercises, taking him to the USA, Sweden, Cyprus and Jordan.

A keen F1 fan and amateur golfer, CJ is immensely proud to take the role of Co-Pilot for this seasons Chinook Role Demo Team.

Big thumbs up 👍 from the Role Demo Crew, look out for them this afternoon as they arrive at RIAT!

The Role Demo goes international! Two exchange officers are joining us during at RIAT and Farnborough.

JP, from Hawkes Bay NZ, joined the RNZAF in 2013. Posted to 3 Sqn RNZAF, he undertook the Helicopter Basic Pilot Course in Aug 16 on the A109. He became a Helicopter Flying Instructor in Nov 19 and achieved over 1000 hours. He held the position of Utility Sect Commander with a focus on managing the task outputs of the A109 fleet whilst instructing until early 2021. JP was posted to the UK in 2021 to serve on 18(B)Sqn. He has been on multiple exercises and ops in Estonia, North Macedonia, and the USA. This exchange has been in existence since 2006 and has seen six Kiwis serve on 18(B)Sqn. He is due to return to NZ this December and will sadly be the final Kiwi to conduct the Chinook exchange. Being part of the 2024 role demo team will be considered the ‘cherry on top’ of an exciting and busy exchange tour. JP has enjoyed the accessibility to international travel whilst in the UK, especially the proximity of European ski fields compared to those in NZ. He has recently become a father to a beautiful baby boy.

Our international Crewman, Adc Fabien, who hails from the north of France near Boulogne-sur-mer, joined the French Air and Space Force in Sep 03 as an engineer. He worked as a mechanic on Alphajet from 2005 at TOURS Air Base. In 2010, he changed roles to flight engineer where he was posted to CAZAUX Air Base and flew the Puma and the Caracal employed as a hoist and FLIR operator and conducted fast roping and abseiling. He also specialised in Search and Rescue, Personal Recovery and Special Ops. During this period, he was posted to French Guyana and Djibouti. He has deployed on operational deployments in Mali and on exercises in the USA, Spain, New Caledonia and Martinique. Fabien has more than 2600 flying hours and was an instructor on his previous types. He started his exchange with the RAF in Aug 22 at RAF Benson where he completed the Chinook conversion, he was posted to 18(B)Sqn in March 23. Fabien enjoys running, cycling and playing squash in his spare time. He is married and is the father of 3 boys. Come say G’day or Bonjour his weekend at RIAT!