I agree,seems rather contradictory to go all that way,the transits etc and back again.
To be honest I don`t think it`s to do with conserving the airframes and engines at all, I think it`s simply a cost cutting excercise and the MOD want the teams costs reduced.

The Hawk is still in production in several different versions,powered by various types of the Adour engine.
I think the RAF would be wise to retire the Reds T1/T1A`s at the end of this season,and re-equip with one of the more modern variants.
The team exist to promte the RAF and also the British Aerospace Industry, so it makes little sense to keep using the older model.Supposedly the T2 isn`t suitable for the Reds role,something about the different wing on the T2.Not sure if that is entirely accurate,but I recall reading something about it a while back.
Surely something could be worked out for the Reds to use a modern variant?

We don`t need to be buying any more US built aircraft for our military in my view.

Reds have set off on their US tour today according to FB.

I question why, if they have dropped to 7 to preserve airframes and old engines, why would they instantly go on a US tour, covering many thousands of miles there and back as well as transits to US airshows.

I saw them twice at the weekend, Kings flypast was good with 4x F35s in formation with them. Cosford was my first chance to see their display this year, pretty much the same as every year but the "Cascade" to close the show was actually pretty good along with the double Goose this year.

1535 Noticed a group of five aircraft heading SW from Inverness,passing west of Lough Neagh.OTT Sperrins.
Possibly for St.Angelo Enniskilen.

JMB VL-3TE Evolution F-JFNJ, JMB Aircraft VL3 Evolution F-JIXV, JMB VL-3 Evolution F-JFVB, JMB VL-3TE Evolution  OK-ZUG04 and finally JMB VL-3 Evolution F-JGKE

Eight people, including two Boeing employees, have been killed after a US Air Force B-52 bomber crashed immediately after take-off from Edwards Air Force Base in southern California.

The incident occurred at 11:20 local time (19:20 GMT) on Monday while the aircraft had been on a routine test mission. The crash sent a huge plume of black smoke into the air that could be seen for miles.

Link to article: B-52 Crash In California

There was a singer, Oliver Tree, on board that died in this accident. I feel saying I hadn't heard of the guy.

RIP

Another fatal accident, this time in Brazil involving two helicopters that collided.
A Bell 206B JetRanger III (PP-MAC) and an Aerospatiale AS 350B2 Ecureuil (PR-DJJ), crashed at Recreio dos Bandeirantes, RJ, Brazil, following the collision.
At least 6 people have died.

https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/572385

A skydiving plane ( a Pacific Aerospace 750XL ) N221BN crashed under unknown circumstances in Butler, Missouri. All 11 skydivers and the pilot died in the crash. The airplane was destroyed.

https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/572392

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c74ym4j40gpo

Talks on collaboration`s to stage a show or two is probably the best way forward. Venue wise I would favour Newtownards and or Newcastle.
Portrush latest attempt at a show was lame to say the least,and the new display line did nothing to enhance the overall experience.

The Reds display at Newtownards was very far out from the airfield. I think it`s high time the CAA revised the overly restrictive regulations at UK airshows.At all but a very few,aircraft are so far away you either need a good pair of binoculars or a 500mm to 600mm+ lens, other than that aircraft are just specks in the sky.

Atlas Air Boeing 747-46NF due into Aldergrove at midday.

There seems to have been alot of work going on in the background with the NMD council regarding Newcastle's return. Obtained from a FOI.

11 March 2025  -Meeting with Causeway Coast and Glen re Air Show collaboration/opportunity
18 April 2025   Meeting with Ards and North Down Council re Air Show collaboration/opportunity
13 May 2025  Internal staff meeting
13 May 2025 Meeting with Mournes Councillors
17 May 2025  Meeting with Bray Airshow re Air Show collaboration/opportunity
3 June 2025  Meeting Causeway Coast and Glen re Air Show collaboration/opportunity
2 July 2025   Internal staff meeting
18 July 2025  Internal staff meeting
18 July 2025   Engagement with / attendance at Portrush Open to review Airbourne Pyrotechnics
19 September 2025 Engagement with MOD re logistics and costings
6 October 202 Engagement with Flight Director re logistics and costings
12 November 2025    Internal staff meeting
20 November 2025    Request to Causeway Coast and Glen re follow up discussions
1 December 2025 Meeting with Members on events including discussion on Festival of Flight.