Summer 20101 ROYAL FLYPAST Cadet150 Celebration Highpoint LEADING THE WAY Are you getting the most out of your DofE Expedition? REMEMBERING ‘THE FEW’ The Battle of Britain’s 70th Anniversary 2 air cadet // summersummer 20102010 COVER PHOTO: RICHARD PAVER 3 7 A Message From The Editor ... CADET150 The Air Cadet Organisation has a new boss. this issue: Air Cdre Barbara Cooper makes history CELEBRATIONS as the Organisation’s first ever female MARCH ON Commandant. You can meet her on pages 4 and 5 and find out more about the RAF’s First Lady. Another first for this issue is the new, educational feature ‘Download’ where we hope you will be informed and entertained all at the same time! In this issue we unveil the mysterious world of unmanned aviation … Cadets from every corner of the country continue to celebrate the 150th 26 anniversary of the cadet movement. The national and regional events – some of LEADING THE WAY which are captured in this issue – truly Getting the most reflect the spirit of fun, excitement, out of your DofE Exped adventure and community service at the heart of the cadet movement. Finally, as we enter expedition season for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Sqn Ldr Helen Gerrish, the Corps’ Duke of Edinburgh’s 14 Development Officer, offers a step-by-step ONWARDS guide to getting the most out of your DofE 18 & UPWARDS expedition. Essential reading for both What drives cadets and adult volunteers. REMEMBERING THE FEW 70 Years On ... mountaineer Can’t wait for the next edition of AIR Jake Meyer ? CADET? Well, now you don’t have to – there’s more of your news and views in an exclusive, online version of the magazine – AIR CADET Xtra – on www.raf.mod.uk/ aircadets Carol McCombe Editor, AIR CADET AIR CADET Is Sponsored By: 11 COUNTDOWN TO RIAT Managing Editor Denise Parker Housby email [email protected] Editor Carol McCombe email [email protected] Sales Manager Anthon Linton, Ten Alps Media, One New Oxford Street, High Holborn, London, WC1A 1NU Tel: 020 7306 0300 Design Steve J Davies, Air Media Centre, HQ Air Command AIR CADET is printed by Warners Midlands plc, The Maltings, Manor Lane, Bourne PE10 9PH Tel: 01778 391000 Every care has been taken in the preparation of this magazine, but neither Warners plc nor the ACO can be held responsible for the accuracy of the information herein, or any consequence ImaGE: Kats TokUNAGA arising from it. Views expressed by contributors and customers might not reflect the views of the ACO. 4 air cadet / spring 2010 Air Cdre Barbara Cooper has made From 1998-2000 she A new history as the first ever female commanded the administrative Commandant of the Air Cadet wing of RAF Lyneham in Commandant Organisation – which comprises Wiltshire and was appointed as the ATC and the Combined Cadet an Officer of the Order of the Force (RAF). She took over from British Empire (OBE) for her work has taken over Air Cdre Ian Stewart who is posted there. to NATO. the baton of Among other postings she The most senior female officer was Deputy Director Service in the British Armed Forces, she Personnel Policy (Operations and command at takes up the reins of the post in Manning) at the outset of the charge of the 60,000-strong ACO last Gulf Conflict, which included the Air Cadet and is also believed to be the responsibility for operational first female Commandant in 150 welfare policy. QUICK FIRE QUESTIONS Organisation. years of the Cadet Forces. FOR THE NEW BOSS: She also ran the UK’s She will launch herself into Prisoner of War Information a packed programme of Bureau, liaising with the YOUR FAVOURITE POSTING TO DATE?: events celebrating the 150th International Committee of anniversary and will have the Red Cross. I have been an audience at Buckingham lucky in that I Palace with HRH The Duke of In 2003 in support of the operation, she was recognised have enjoyed all of my postings. One of the most interesting was Edinburgh, who is the ATC’ Air as Staff Officer to CAS, but I suspect my tour as Commandant of Cdre-in-Chief. in the Iraq Operational Honours List as a Commander of the the Air Cadet Organisation will be my absolute favourite. I can’t Air Cdre Cooper, the longest Order of the British Empire (CBE). wait. serving of four female one star Emily Pankhurst – officers in the RAF, is a highly In 2005, she assumed the appointment of Director she showed experienced Personnel Officer. what can be Royal Air Force Division PERSON WHO INSPIRED YOU MOST?: She was a keen aviator at the within the Defence Academy achieved against start of her career and also held at Shrivenham, Wiltshire. strong opposition. a Private Pilot’s Licence. She She was selected as a member fulfils a dream in being selected FAVOURITE AUTHOR?: Shakespeare. for the appointment. of the 2007 entry of the Royal College of Defence Studies She said: “I am absolutely thrilled and completed six months Anything by Shakespeare. with this fantastic opportunity to before being promoted to Air FAVOURITE PLAY?: lead the ATC and the Combined Cdre and being posted into Cadet Force (RAF). the post of Assistant Chief of David Tennant – not only Staff Manpower & Personnel FAVOURITE ACTOR?: was he the best ever Dr Who “I have always had a great deal Capability at HQ Air Command, but he made an amazing of respect and admiration for High Wycombe. Hamlet in a recent modern both cadets and adult volunteers version of the play. who give up their valuable time For Air Cdre Cooper this is not as well as the permanent staff her first involvement with the who work so hard to deliver a ACO, she has undertaken the role ANY PETS?: None, I like cats, but I am allergic! complex programme.” of reviewing officer at a number of Combined Cadet Force Born in Canada, Air Cdre Cooper biennial inspections over a Raw carrots, but my favourite moved to the UK aged 11 number of years. vegetable to grow is the potato and attended Evesham High FAVOURITE VEGETABLE?: – you just pop one into the School, Worcestershire. She was Air Cdre Cooper is also ground, cover it up and a couple commissioned in the RAF in 1978 president of the RAF Netball of months later you have a whole as an air traffic control officer. Association and president of crop of them – magic! the RAF Theatrical Association. She enjoys gardening, walking, After a seven-year short service cycling and the theatre. Very mixed, depending on my commission she left and gained FAVOURITE MUSIC?: mood. Anything from classical qualifications in property She is married to William, a to modern. management but missing retired RAF officer, their home is RAF FIRST Lady Service life she regained her in Cirencester. commission in 1987 this time Horseriding … I have taken choosing the Administrative FAVOURITE SPORT?: too many falls to ride these Branch. days, but I enjoy watching eventing and polo. Making ACO History She had several personnel I will soon be on Facebook as the tours in the UK and in Germany, SOCIAL NETWORKING?: new Commandant. including a post as staff officer to the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS). 6 air cadet / summer 2010 7 VIPs have seen what incredible cadets and staff we have in the Thames Valley! As the band passed the saluting base they started playing the RAF March Past - that was an incredible moment I will remember for many years.” There then followed a service at St George’s chapel which is situated within the Castle grounds where the Lord Lieutenant’s Cadets read prayers in front of the 500-plus- strong congregation. Wg Cdr Chris Fisher of Thames Valley Wing said: “The service was amazing. You could feel the hairs stand up on the back of your neck when the Armed Forces Cadets enjoying cadets read the prayers amongst the Edinburgh event at Princes the back drop of heraldry and Street Gardens. splendour.” Following the service, the parade Celebrating in spectacular drill demonstrations, CADET150 TAKES retraced its steps and performed all in front of hundreds of an immaculate march past before Scotland spectators and a VIP audience, WINDSOR BY STORM a celebration photograph of all Armed Forces cadets from across including former Scotland rugby Thames Valley Wing Cadets have 350 VIPs cadets and staff involved Scotland threw an open invitation star, Gavin Hastings, Honorary celebrated Cadet150 in style with with the day and a chance to view to the people of Edinburgh to join Colonel of the Lothian and a massed parade through the displays including the latest ACE them for the day to help celebrate Borders Army Cadets. streets of Windsor together with platform which drew big crowds their 150th anniversary. Sea and Army Cadets drawn from from the gathered cadets and across Berkshire. parents of all three services. Cadets join Queen’s Official Birthday Celebrations The cadets took over part of Princes Street Gardens offering On Parade The parade marched through Speaking to the staff and cadets The pilot was Wg Cdr Al Green, people a chance to scale the Windsor town centre, ending at after the parade, the Lord Fifty air cadets from across the “It’s a brilliant opportunity to take Air Cadets from Devon & Somerset boss of 216 Sqn and a former air heights of the massive climbing the magnificent and historic King Lieutenant said: “I am extremely UK have shared in the thrill of Her part today. I was really pleased to Wing, together with their cadet himself.