THORNBURY flying ace Jason Hawker is back home after leading the Red Arrows display team on a goodwill tour of the Middle and Far East.

The former Castle School pupil, who has commanded the crack RAF aerobatic team since last year, said the six week, 16,000 mile tour of 14 countries had been a demanding but satisfying experience.

"Bearing in mind the busy schedule and the distances involved the tour was quite a challenge," he said.

"We had to contend with some last minute changes to the schedule due to events beyond our control in certain countries, but overall it went extremely smoothly."

The displays were watched by literally millions of people including royalty government ministers and military chiefs.

The 36-year-old RAF Squadron Leader, known as Jas, added: "We have seen some amazing sights and the task of acting as ambassadors for the UK overseas has been a great privilege."

During the tour the team performed 16 displays with their Hawk jet aircraft in countries including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia.

"We've been away since the beginning of November so it's good to be back home," said Jas.

"We shall have short break and then it will be back to training again for the 2008 display season."

The Squadron is based at RAF Scampton, near Lincoln.

A former cadet with Thornbury Air Training Corps (2392 Squardon), Jas gained a Royal Air Force Sixth Form Scholarship and joined up immediately after completing his A-Levels.

During his RAF career he has been involved in military exercises all over the world, notching up well over 4,000 flying hours.

He joined the Red Arrows in 2000, flying with them for three years. After a break for other duties, he became Leader and Officer commanding the team in October 2006.

Jas is married to Cath, a midwife, and they have two daughters. His hobbies include all water sports, especially kite-surfing and windsurfing, golf and occasionally playing the piano.

"Commanding the Red Arrows is a huge privilege and a challenge that I am thoroughly enjoying," he said.