Cranwell Air Squadron Day
3 July 2011
The Air Squadron held its annual Fly-In to Royal Air Force Cranwell on Sunday 3rd July for the award of the Air Squadron Trophy, The Sir John Thomson Memorial Sword and the Geoffrey de Havilland Flying Foundation Medals. As the Air Training Corps arm of the Air Cadets has its own awards, the Air Squadron awards are keenly contested by the Air Sections of the Combined Cadet Forces and it was particularly gratifying to see a strong turn-out from the winning CCF Sections and their proud parents and relations. The Awards Ceremony was well-supported by Air Squadron members and associates who also generously flew cadets during the course of the afternoon, giving them an opportunity to experience aircraft other than the Grob Tutor - which many opted for as well, as 7 AEF kindly offered continued air experience flying once again.
Air Squadron members flew into RAF Cranwell in the morning, having an easy transit in good weather conditions. The CCF contingents paraded with the Air Cadet Marching Band (a first) under the command of the Sir John Thomson Memorial Sword Winner Cadet Warrant Officer Charlotte Bull of Wellingborough School. Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Graydon GCB CBE FRAeS took the salute, addressed the Parade and awarded the Air Squadron Trophy for the Best CCF (RAF) Section to King's School Grantham for the 4th time since the competition started in 1985. Lady Thomson presented the Sir John Thomson Memorial Sword for the best Cadet in the CCF (RAF) nationally, to the most impressive Cadet Warrant Officer Charlotte Bull of Wellingborough School. Air Marshal Ian McFadyen then presented the Geoffrey de Havilland Flying Foundation Awards for outstanding CCF Achievement to Cadet Flight Sergeants Tom Arscott and Christopher Bennett and Cadet Warrant Officers Charlotte Bull, Daniel Chorley, Hannah Crompton, Scott Daniel, Matthew Gill, James Howard, Benjamin Moss and James Woodward. Commandant Air Cadets, Air Commodore Barbara Cooper CBE took the final salute and March Past. The Air Cadet Marching Band were very impressive and it is hoped to have them on Parade again in the future.
Daedalus Officers' Mess once again provided an enjoyable barbeque lunch, but whilst a tour of the Royal Air Force College took place - enabling Martin Barraclough to collect some more aviation poetry for his project - the Air Squadron pilots took to the air with CCF Cadets for the remainder of the afternoon. Despite clashing with RAF Waddington Air Day and the rather excessive demands for airspace from some foreign aerobatic teams, the relatively open skies and fine conditions allowed pilots to demonstrate their aircraft to keen, aviation-minded teenagers. Most of the Cadets enjoyed several trips in a variety of steeds, but although the strongest accolades seemed to be for Rupert Clarke in his Tiger Moth and Harry Barraclough in the Piper Cub, for some reason, there is always a very keen interest in glass cockpits and computer screens! Once again 7 AEF did sterling work in support - for which we are very grateful.
The Day went off most successfully once again. Despite the effort that goes into preparation - for which we are most grateful to Wing Commander Bob Chalklin for all his work behind the scenes with organising and running the competitions, sifting the hopefuls and squaring RAF Cranwell's magnificent support - the Day really does pay dividends. Not only is the Air Squadron contribution much appreciated from the Chief of Air Staff downwards, but it takes place at the Royal Air Force's sanctum sanctorum, gives us a chance to connect with coming generations of air-minded youth, to recognise and reward their achievement and to give something back and refocus ourselves outside Squadron life. I think that is immensely worthwhile.
My thanks to all who supported this year's Fly-In and we look forward to July 2012 - see you there!
Julian Stinton
