RAF Chinook Role Demo Team

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RAF Chinook Role Demo Team

The Official Facebook of the RAF Chinook Role Demo Team based at RAF Odiham. Follow us for news, photos and messages from the team for the 2026 season!

11/05/2026

That's it for this year's flying team, but there's so much more to the Chinook Role Demo than just the aircrew - we'll be introducing our engineering, operations, survival equipment and media support teams throughout the season, and we'll also be announcing soon who else we're partnering with this year. 👀

Today marks the start of our training work-up period, this week using the simulator, and next week we'll be starting our live flying in preparation. 👊🎉

We'll be announcing information on our shows soon, so watch this space! 👐

10/05/2026

Introducing the Team! 👏

Finally, overseeing the delivery of a safe and exciting flying demonstration, is the 2026 Chinook Role Demo Supervisor - Squadron Leader Matt Bridge. 👐

Bridgey was born and raised in Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire, and after studies at Loughborough University he joined the RAF in 2007.

Bridgey was posted to the Chinook Force in 2012 and has served on all three Operational Flights on 18 Squadron. During this time, he has deployed overseas to Afghanistan, the Falklands, Mali, and the wider Middle East. Last year he commanded 1310 Flight in Cyprus providing Aerial Firefighting capability; leading the team who fought the first live fires since Chinook took on the role. Within the UK he has supported efforts to save the Whaley Bridge Dam, firefighting on Manchester Moorlands, and the early days of military assistance to the COVID 19 pandemic. Having completed two and a half years as Officer Commanding C Flight, he is now the second-in-command of 18 Squadron, alongside his duties supervising the Role Demonstration Team. As the senior member of the team he is most likely found boring the rest of the team with increasingly irrelevant dits of times gone by.

Married to Helen, Bridgey has two young daughters and, when time allows, enjoys increasingly slow efforts at swimming and cycling. Breaking with the canine tradition of this year’s Role Demo Team, he has two cats and a flock of chickens, affectionately known as 'The Peckers'.

09/05/2026

Introducing the Team! 👏

Managing the Role Demo Team for 2026 is Flt Lt Seán Ahearne. 🧑🏼‍✈️

Born and raised in Poole, Seán completed a degree in English Literature at the University of Manchester in pursuit of a career in acting, but committed an abrupt U-turn to join the Royal Air Force in 2014.

Seán completed flying training on the Tutor, Squirrel and Griffin aircraft before converting to fly the mighty Chinook. Posted to 27 Squadron in 2018, Seán completed two operational deployments to Mali and two to the Middle East, before transferring to 18 Squadron in 2024. He is second-in-command of C Flight, the Squadron's lead war-fighting element working closely with the British Army and NATO allies, and looks forward to demonstrating the capabilities Chinook can provide in defence of Europe's Eastern flank.

Outside of work, Seán and wife Clementine live in Dorset with their two young children; in the quiet moments Seán enjoys tinkering with old cars and motorcycles, and relaxing in lay-bys waiting for the AA.

08/05/2026

Introducing the Team! 👏

Completing the flying crew for the 2026 season is Sgt Liam Mannion. 🤘

Born in Uxbridge to serving RAF parents, Liam spent his childhood growing up in Lincolnshire. He joined the RAF in 2019 straight after school as a Weapon Systems Operator, commencing his training at RAF Halton, before progressing through flying training on the Juno and Jupiter at RAF Shawbury. Liam spent 18 months flying as a Staff Winchman with 202 Squadron at RAF Valley, including being winched to assist a kayaker in distress whilst returning from a routine training sortie off the coast.

Liam completed the Chinook Operational Conversion Unit in 2025, and was subsequently posted to A Flight, 18 Squadron at RAF Odiham. He has been deployed with the Chinook Force to the United States, for desert landing environmental training, and Norway, to train for operations in arctic conditions.

Liam lives with his partner, Emma, and in his spare time enjoys Brazilian jiu-jitsu, watching football, and supporting local public houses.

07/05/2026

Introducing the Team! 👏

Our next Crewman for the 2026 season is Sgt Cameron ‘Cammy’ Torrance. 🔥

Born and raised in East Lothian, Scotland, Cammy worked in the M&S food hall after leaving school. He then spent time working in America, followed by a gap year travelling around Asia, Australia and New Zealand. In 2019 Cammy joined the RAF as a Weapon Systems Operator and undertook flying training on the Juno and Jupiter at Shawbury, interspersed with time at Halton, Cranwell, Leeming, Odiham and Boulmer. He completed the Chinook Operational Conversion Unit in 2024 and was posted to A Flight, 18 Squadron at RAF Odiham. Since joining the Chinook Force Cammy has deployed on operations and exercises in Estonia, America, Norway and Cyprus.

Cammy lives with his partner, Rachel, and the two enjoy travelling whenever they can find the time. In his spare time, he enjoys playing golf and skiing, both to a questionable standard, and is a Hibernian fan, against his better judgement. He is delighted to be part of the 2026 Chinook Role Demonstration Team!

06/05/2026

Introducing the Team! 👏

Selected for the role of Lead Crewman for the 2026 season is Sgt Mark ‘Stretch’ Armstrong. 💪

Growing up in Milton Keynes, Stretch joined the RAF Reserves at the age of 17 while at sixth form. He spent five years serving with 501 Squadron as an RAF Regiment Gunner, continuing to serve while studying Sports Development at the University of Gloucester.

After briefly working as a teaching assistant at a Pupil Referral Unit, Stretch joined the RAF Regulars in 2011, initially to pursue a career as an Air Traffic Controller. He quickly realised his calling in life was not inside an ATC tower and, after attending Initial Officer Training, commissioned as an Operations Officer. He completed tours on 33 Squadron at RAF Benson with the Puma, in the Falklands, and on Joint Helicopter Support Squadron. In 2019, Stretch resigned his Commission to become a Weapon Systems Operator. After training on the Juno and Jupiter, he completed the Chinook Operational Conversion Unit in 2023 and was subsequently posted to C Flight, 18 Squadron at RAF Odiham.

Highlights of his 20 years’ service include working through the night to save the dam at Whaley Bridge, conducting Aerial Firefighting in Cyprus, and briefing two prime ministers.

In his spare time, Stretch enjoys playing volleyball and triumphing over ‘The Sams’ in the Squadron Fantasy F1 league. Married to Clare, who also serves in the RAF, they live in Reading with their one-year-old son and Finn, their fox red Labrador. Particular fans of a ‘buy one, get one free offer’, Stretch and Claire are delighted to be expecting twins later this year.

05/05/2026

Introducing the Team! 👏

Flying as Co-Pilot and making up the second half of the infamous duo of ‘Sam’s’ for the 2026 season is Flt Lt Samuel ‘Sam’ Randle. 🤘

Born in the Isle of Man, Sam was educated at Ballakermeen High School in Douglas, prior to continuing his studies at Brunel University, and then further at the University of Law (Moorgate).

Sam joined the Royal Air Force in 2017 following his 6-year stint as a professional student, and, after a slightly extended tour on Initial Officer Training, completed flying training on the Grob Prefect, Juno and Jupiter. He completed the Chinook Operational Conversion Unit in 2024 and was posted to 18 Squadron to become a proud member of the mighty B Flight.

Since joining the Chinook Force, Sam has deployed on operations and exercises all over the world, including the US, Norway, Eastern Europe and Cyprus. He is exceptionally excited to be a member of the Demonstration Team this year and looks forward to reminding crowds why the answer to almost all of life’s problems is “two chinooks”.

Outside of work, Sam spends his time in Hampshire with his wife, Luce, and their diabetic Labrador, Goose. His hobbies and interests revolve largely around combatting a healthy addiction to all things calorie-based by way of running, the gym, and any other fitness fad that might be fashionable at the time.

04/05/2026

Introducing the Team! 👏

The Lead Co-Pilot for the 2026 season is Flt Lt Samuel ‘Sam’ Soroya. 😁

Proud to be part of the “Sam and Sam” co-pilot duo, Sam comes from eclectic beginnings. Always on the move, he lived in Bradford, Glasgow, Oxford, and Nottingham, while exploring careers in physiotherapy, outdoor activity instructing, and retail, before finally finding his niche in the RAF as a Chinook pilot.

Sam joined the RAF in 2016 and, with the Chinook his aim, completed his flying training on the Grob Tutor and Juno. He graduated from the Chinook Operational Conversion Unit in 2023 and was subsequently posted to C Flight, 18 Squadron at RAF Odiham. During his time in the RAF, Sam has embedded with various Army units, worked in mountain rescue, and deployed on operations and exercises across the globe. He has also been selected for an exchange with the Royal New Zealand Air Force later this year, operating the NH90 helicopter.

Sam and his wife have recently become parents, although he remains adamant that his spaniel is his first child. In his spare time, he enjoys rugby, Formula 1, Lego, and all things cheese-related, both food and music. His selection to the 2026 Chinook Role Demo Team is a huge personal privilege, and he looks forward to seeing you from both the air and on the ground at this year’s air shows.

03/05/2026

Introducing the Team! 👏

The 2026 Chinook Role Demo Captain is Flt Lt Matthew Wehrle. 😁

Born and raised in South London, Wehrley was educated at The Judd Grammar School in Kent, where he was an air cadet in the Combined Cadet Force. He went on to study Electronic Engineering with Avionics at the University of York, graduating with a Master’s degree, and during this time was a keen member of Yorkshire Universities Air Squadron.

Wehrley joined the RAF in 2014 and, after a protracted period on Initial Officer Training, undertook flying training on the Grob Tutor, Squirrel, Juno, and Jupiter. After graduating from the Chinook Operational Conversion Unit in 2022, he was posted to C Flight, 18 Squadron at RAF Odiham.

Since joining the Chinook Force, Wehrley has deployed on several operations and exercises, including conducting Aerial Firefighting in Cyprus; he has over 950 flying hours, including more than 550 hours on the Chinook. He is a Qualified Synthetic Helicopter Tactics Instructor, Electronic Warfare Instructor, Air Safety Officer, and is currently completing his Training Captain upgrade.

Having attended airshows at Biggin Hill from a young age, he is delighted to have been selected as the Chinook Role Demonstration Captain for the 2026 display season. In his spare time, he enjoys spending quality time with his wife, their daughter, and their cockapoo, as well as iOS app development, skiing, and cooking, ideally accompanied by a glass or two of the finest quality white wine.

01/05/2026

From Operations to Air Shows - you can meet the cab, and meet the crew. This is the 2026 Chinook Role Demonstration. 👊🏻🚁😁

We're so excited to be working with .kodak again this season, and thanks to for our amazing new logo! 🤩👏🏻

15/08/2025

And that’s a wrap. Role Demo Season 2025 complete ✅

Time to start thinking ahead to 2026 💭

Address

Chinook Display Team, RAF Odiham
Odiham
RG291QT

Website

https://www.raf.mod.uk/display-teams/chinook-role-demo-team/

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