This Is Your Life: John Rands

Squadron Leader John E RANDS OBE, RAF (1959-)

THIS IS YOUR LIFE - John Rands, Royal Air Force Officer, was surprised by Michael Aspel after leading his Red Arrows team back to base at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire, from where the programme was then recorded.

John, who was born in Scunthorpe, developed an early interest in aeroplanes and learnt to fly as a teenager. At 14, he joined the Air Cadets 119 Squadron and, in November 1978, joined the Royal Air Force - signing up for 20 years. Following his officer cadet training at Henlow, Bedfordshire, he had various postings to RAF bases, including York and Anglesey, where he earned his wings in 1981.

After some time in operations in the Falkland Islands, he was promoted to flight lieutenant. He then spent two years with the famed aerobatics team, the Red Arrows, making his first sortie in April 1987 before returning to regular duties in Germany. In 1993, after some high-risk policing mission over Iraq, he was invited to return to the Red Arrows as leader, and having led them through the busiest year in their history, which included a six-month world tour over four continents, was just about to retire from the position.

"Blimey!"

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