RAF Section Report – Sqn Ldr Charlie Ryan
RAF Section Report
Charlie Ryan
Sqn Ldr RAF VR(T)
For a relatively small section we have achieved very much over the past year and MTS RAF cadets have taken the opportunity to become involved in a wide range of activities both at home and overseas.
During the year MTS RAF cadets have attended three overseas camps; two in Cyprus (one at Easter and the other during the summer) and one in Gibraltar. Sgt John Ball was fortunate enough to be given a place on an International Air Cadet Exchange (IACE) in Canada (see his report below) while I was delighted to be granted an IACE escort role in the USA. On the domestic front, our summer camp was spent at RAF Spadeadam in Cumbria.
The section continues to be blessed with cadets of outstanding calibre. It was a great honour and achievement for the section to have CWO George Apel selected for a De Havilland medal in 2014, and to have CWO Danny McKay reach the interview stage for the award in 2015.
Problems with aircraft have seriously restricted GIC places and gliding scholarships but this has been offset by regular AEF flights from RAF Woodvale.
The range of activities undertaken by cadets simply could not occur without the assistance and support of our RAF Area Training Evaluation and Support Team (TEST) namely Sqn Ldr Roger Taylor and Sgt Graeme Bell. We are also indebted to staff at HQ Air Cadets – Wg Cdr Robert Chalklin, Sqn Ldr Graeme Johnston, Administrative Officer Sarah Hobster and Rachael Rich in Flying Administration for their help, guidance and diligent hard work on our behalf.
Nor could the opportunities afforded to cadets have occurred without the input and commitment shown by my fellow RAF Section Officers Sqn Ldr Mark Stanley, Flg Off Helen Scott and Flt Lt Jonathan Green and I thank them sincerely for their invaluable help in providing training for our cadets.
Flg Off Helen Scott assumed command of the RAF Section in September and I wish her every success for the future and urge cadets to give her the same level of support, enthusiasm and commitment they gave me.
