NEW COMMANDANT AIR CADETS ANNOUNCED

BY LINZ WILLIAMS
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Air Commodore Ian R W Stewart BSC RAF has been announced as the next Commandant Air Cadets, succeeding Air Commodore Gordon Moulds as the Air Training Corps' top officer.

Air Cdre Stewart left school in 1976 as a Cadet Warrant Officer and following university education, completed his Officer Training in 1980 before embarking on the basic and advanced flying training courses at RAF Cranwell and RAF Valley.

In 1983 he was appointed as a flying instructor at RAF Linton-on-Ouse where he flew over a 1,000 hours on the Jet Provost basic trainer. In 1986, he converted to the Phantom FGR2 and served on 92 Squadron as the Squadron qualified flying instructor. In 1989, he moved back to the United Kingdom to join 228 Operational Conversion Unit at RAF Leuchars as a Phantom FGR2 instructor.

After this tour he converted to the Tornado F3 and remained in Scotland serving on 111 (F) Squadron as an Air Defence pilot, instructor and instrument rating examiner. In 1992 he moved from Leuchars to RAF Coningsby and joined the Tornado F3 Operational Conversion Unit 56 (R) Squadron as a flight commander. He remained there for 2 years and then joined the staff at 11 Group Headquarters at RAF Bentley Priory, serving on the Air Defence training desk.

He left Bentley Priory at the end of 1996 and completed the Joint Service Defence College course at Greenwich. He then went on to command the Flying Training Development Wing at RAF Halton where he was responsible for devising a training strategy for fast jet pilots. In 1999 he served in the Defence Crisis Management Centre in MOD as a Kosovo briefing officer and completed a short tour within the former Directorate of Public Relations (RAF).

From April 2000 to October 2002 Air Cdre Stewart was the Officer Commanding 56 (R) Squadron at RAF Coningsby. After achieving over 1,000 flying hours on the Tornado F3 he then joined the UK Permanent Joint Headquarters at Northwood as the J5 Plans SO1 Deployable Liaison Officer and was a member of the Operation TELIC planning staff responsible for the UK’s contribution to Coalition operations in Iraq. He was then posted to Rammstein, Germany in 2003, where he served as the A3 Division Head and United Kingdom Senior National Representative within the NATO Component Command-Air Headquarters.

In early 2004 he served as Assistant Chief of Staff Air within the International Security Assistance Force in Kabul, Afghanistan and was awarded the NATO Meritorious Service Medal in 2006 for services to NATO. His last assignment was as the head of the Officer and Aircrew Cadet Training Unit at RAF Cranwell from 2006 until May 2008.

Air Cdre Stewart is the Chairman of the 56 Squadron Association and the Chair of Trustees of the RAF Cranwell Kidzone Childcare Centre. He has been married to Rosemary since 1981 and they have 3 children; Chris, Mike and James. His interests include skiing, foreign travel and singing.

EXPEDITION CHALLENGE FOR CADETS

BY CDT DAISY BUCK
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Cadets from 1066 (Hitchin) and 248 (Letchworth) squadrons have recently undertaken and passed a two day bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expedition. After months of planning and training it was finally time for the cadets to set off on their expedition. The cadets were assessed by staff members from both squadrons. Five groups of cadets spent two days walking around the North Herts area. The weather was good and for many cadets this was their practice expedition and their first experience of undertaking their own expedition. Those on a qualifier found that their navigation and camp-craft skills had improved greatly since their practice expedition last year. The cadets camped overnight at the Henlow Boyd Scout campsite, a site that has been used for many years by 1066 (Hitchin) squadron.

Cdt Daisy Buck (14) of 1066 Sqn said ‘overall this was a great achievement for me. As a team we all learned to work well and how to overcome difficult situations. We all helped each other out which made the expedition very enjoyable. This was a fantastic experience! I can’t wait to participate in the Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s award!’ The cadets are looking forward to completing their qualifying expedition in the summer. Those that are old enough will move onto their silver awards and may complete their silver practice expedition in North Wales this August.

AWARDS GALORE FOR HITCHIN

BY FLT LT ERICA VEY
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Friday 18th April 2008 was a busy night for 1066 (Hitchin) Squadron. It was its annual awards evening which provides the cadets, staff, committee members, family and friends the opportunity to look back on achievements over the past year by the squadron and individual cadets. 2007 saw 1066 being crowned as best squadron in Herts & Bucks Wing, winners of the Wing aviation day competition and April 2008 saw the squadron representing the Wing as the Lee’s trophy inspection nomination.

The reviewing Officer for the awards evening was the Squadron’s President Air Vice-Marshal Alan Merriman. Wing Commander David Henson was also in attendance. Upon AVM Merriman’s arrival at the squadron he inspected all of the cadets on parade escorted by Flt Sgt Lewis Stockwell (17) and Sqn Ldr Paul Mimpress, WSO for the squadron who was also presenting the evening. This was on behalf of 1066 Sqn Commanding Officer Flt Lt Erica Vey who is recovering from her third lot of surgery this week following her injury at annual camp. The inspection was followed by a march past and band display led by Drum Major Flt Sgt Lewis Stockwell (17).


A review of the past year presented by Sqn Ldr Mimpress followed and also a short talk by Martin Vey, Treasurer of the Civilian Committee and Flt Sgt Stockwell spoke about the band. Refreshments were then provided by the Civilian Committee and this gave parents and family the opportunity to look at the static displays produced by the cadets.

Wing Commander Henson then presented a host of certificates including eight wing blues, seven examination certificates, three bronze and two silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards, one Air Cadet Pilot Scheme certificate to Sgt Emilie Pearson (17) and seven bronze National Navigation Awards. Sgt Samuel James (17) was awarded a Diana Award for his hard work and effort at the squadron above and beyond that expected of a cadet.

Annual awards were presented by AVM Merriman. The Warrant Officer’s Award for highest uniform inspection scores for the year went to Cdt Oliver Martin (15), The High Flyer Award for examination results was awarded to Sgt Michael Page (17) who achieved the equivalent of six GCSE A*-C grade with the squadron during the last year. Cdt Charlotte Hunt (14) was presented with the Freddy Petch Endeavour Shield. The Erica Vey Award for the cadet(s) that helps others to further achieve went to Sgt Samuel James (17).

The Marksmanship Award was presented to Cpl Matthew Woodward (15) for the highest shooting scores over the past year. The Cadet of the Year award based on monthly scores went to Cdt Emiko Kemp (14). The highest points for sporting event attendance, medals and wing blues for the title of Sports Cadet of the Year was awarded to Cpl Mariko Kemp (16). Best NCO of the year was presented to Sgt Benjamen Reed (16). Flt Sgt Lewis Stockwell (17) was awarded the Merriman Cup for Commitment. Commanding Officer’s Commendations were awarded to Flt Sgt Lewis Stockwell (17), Cdt Meredith Orman-Brown (16) and Cdt Daisy Buck (14).

When Cdt Tom Young died in 2000 his parents donated a trophy in his memory. The trophy is awarded annually to the most improved cadet of the year. This year it was presented to Cdt Henry Wisdom (15).

Flt Lt Tony Farrell RAFVR(T) Retd, Chairman of the Civilian Committee sadly died in April 2007 after a short illness. His family have kindly presented an annual award in Tony’s memory. The award is the Tony Farrell Musician of the Year award. Tony originally set up the band in the 1980s and assisted Flt Lt Erica Vey to re-form it again in 2005 when she took command of the squadron. The first presentation of the special award went to Cdt Gary Pestell (15) who in the past year has worked extremely hard during practices, parades and competitions. He plays bugle in the 1066 band and trombone in the Wing band.

DIANA AWARD FOR HARD WORKING CADET

BY FLT LT ERICA VEY
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1066 (Hitchin) Squadron Air Training Corps is delighted to announce that Sergeant Samuel James (17) has been awarded the Diana Award for his outstanding contribution to the squadron. The award was presented at the squadron’s annual awards evening on Friday 18 April 2008.

The Diana Award is a living legacy to the late Princess which recognises and celebrates the outstanding qualities and contributions made by many young people to their schools and communities.

Sgt James was selected for the award for his inspirational qualities that are demonstrated through his commitment and work at the squadron since 2005. He has continued to work hard teaching junior cadets, helps manage the squadron’s marching band, designs & maintains the unit’s website in addition to holding the role of cadet media communications officer.

Sgt James said ‘It is an amazing honour to receive this award for doing things that I enjoy doing. I would also like to thank those people who have helped me get this far, because without them I wouldn’t be receiving this award!’

Other achievements with the squadron include attending camps in the UK, Cyprus and Germany, a BTEC in Aviation Studies, bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, young lifesaver plus award, flying solo on his gliding scholarship, band badge, Millennium Volunteers award, staff cadet classification and a distinction in his BTEC First Diploma in Public Services (4 GCSEs A*-C grade). He has been selected to complete a twelve hour air cadet pilot scheme course in the summer which will include him flying solo. He has also enrolled to complete his BTEC First Diploma in Music.

HARD WORK FOR HITCHIN

BY CDT FS LEWIS STOCKWELL
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After weeks of preparation, Thursday 3rd April and the Lee’s trophy inspection of 1066 (Hitchin) Squadron finally arrived. Hitchin squadron is the Wing’s nomination for the Lee’s inspection to find the best squadron in the Corps.

The Inspecting Officer’s from Region, Sqn Ldr Shorter and Sqn Ldr Wiggins arrived promptly at 19.00 hrs. They inspected all the cadets on parade escorted by Fg Off Elizabeth Fox and the senior cadet at the squadron Flt Sgt Lewis Stockwell (17) and this was followed by a march past.

The remainder of the evening consisted of a full marching band display, leadership tasks, lectures, first aid and flight simulator. The Inspecting Officer’s met all of the cadets, staff and Civilian Committee representatives and enjoyed participating in some of the leadership tasks themselves. This was followed by the checking of all aspects of the squadron including records, accounts, achievements, security, building and training.

At the end of the evening the Inspecting Officers’ addressed the squadron on final parade and presented 1066 with a Lee’s trophy Wing nomination certificate. They also presented a number of Duke of Edinburgh’s and National Navigation awards.

Flt Sgt Stockwell said ‘It is great to think 1066 has been put forward for the award, even through it was a great task to get everything sorted, it was also a great achievement for the cadets and staff and on the night everyone was on top form.’