|
Visit to RAF Scampton - Red Arrows_____________________________________________________________________ |
| WO Mick Forsyth arranged a visit for up to 20 cadets and
accompanying staff to both RAF Waddington and RAF Scampton,
for the 24th and 25th November 2010. In the end 15
cadets from 499 (Port Talbot) and one each from 360
(Llwchwr), 621 (Carmarthen), 1429 (Cardigan) and 2227 (Mid
-Gwendraeth) Squadrons actually attended, together with Flt
Lt Kay John, Sgt Ian Holt, Sgt Jane Sanders, and Sqn Ldr
Jeremiah, together with WO Forsyth, the latter of whom was
the driving force for the tours. Without his efforts
and hours of conversations with the cadets would not have
seen, or been allowed access to, behind the scenes
activities at both stations. |
| After a very long and cross country journey due to the
closure of the M5 and M42, the party arrived at RAF
Waddington at about 15.30. This meant that the
scheduled visit to 8 Squadron was scrapped and the cadets
went straight to 5 Squadron and their Sentinal Aircraft.
These carry out highly classified surveillance so no
photography was allowed, but they were given a brief on of
the capabilities of the equipment and also toured the ground
training modules which duplicate the airborne devices.
This visit was co-ordinated by the DACLO MACR (Master Air
Crew) Jim Adair who gave many hours of his time and to whom
great gratitude is due. |
| An early night was the order and the cadets were
allocated to accommodation and a short tour of Lincoln
undertaken with a visit to Pizza Hut for R & R |
| After clearing the accommodation and breakfast the group
departed for RAF Scampton, the home of the RAF Aerobatic
Team - The Red Arrows. |
| This was an excellent visit which lasted 6 hours, during
which the cadets were given a presentation on the history of
the display teams; the current role of the RAFAT (RAF
Aerobatic Team); how it was formed; its recruitment and
training ethos, and strength down to the accompanying PR
Team Member SAC Gemma Summerfield. This lady has also
arranged a hanger visit to see the scheduled 2011 singletons
doing their training, and a photo opportunity with the whole
of the expected 2011 team out on the pan. |
| SAC Summerfield also arranged for the group to sin-in on
the rehearsal debrief which gave an insight into how much
time and effort goes into each and every display, with
pilots being super critical of the very smallest of errors
in the show routine. |
| Two cadets were chosen for their behaviour during the
two days and also interest in the visit, to receive signed
prints from the Team, and these were Cdt Cpl Schelbie Forgan
and Cdt Quade Boal |
| An enormous thank you is given to Miss Summerfield who
stayed with the cadets for the whole time and her liaison
gave them more than just a straight tour around. |
| All RAF personnel tasked during the two days gave a lot
of time and effort, answered many questions patiently and in
a manner which every cadet could understand and all deserve
praise, but unfortunately are too many to list.... |
