First Official Duty as Station Commander’s Cadet for Corby Air Cadet

After receiving notification that Sgt Kamila Bell from 422 (Corby) Squadron Royal Air Force Air Cadets had been awarded the prestigious accolade of receiving this year’s appointment to Station Commander’s Cadet at RAF Wittering, it became a logistical challenge to ensure that Sgt Bell received her official Brassard in time for her to attend her first duty at RAF Wittering’s Families’ Day!

Fortunately, the Station Commander; Group Captain Richard Pratley MA*, MSc, BA(Hons) RAF, was visiting the South and East Midlands Wing Spring Camp at DTE Swynnerton where Sgt Bell was attending.  So a brief meeting and hand over of the coveted brassards was made possible and as such Sgt Bell was duly enrolled into her year-long appointment as the Station Commander’s Cadet.

On Saturday 4th June 2016, Sgt Bell arrived at RAF Wittering for the Families’ Day to be met by Squadron Leader Mary Temple (Station Executive Officer) and Warrant Officer Steven Poulton (A4 Force) who then introduced her again to the Station Commander and his team.

The day was a mostly informal event with lots of stalls and activities to entertain the families and guests in attendance but there was also a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight display, Tutor flypast and in the main arena, a polished performance by both the Queen’s Colour Squadron and The Band of the RAF College.

Sgt Bell spent time with the Station Commander and other dignitaries in the VIP tent and also got to get up close and personal with members of the Queen’s Colour Squadron, Band and behind the barriers with some of the display aircraft!

On her appointment, Sgt Bell said “I am so grateful and excited to have been awarded the role of the Station Commander’s Cadet, especially in the year of the Stations 100th anniversary and the Air Cadet Organisations 75th Anniversary.  I am especially excited by the opportunities that being in this post will afford me and realise that I am in a very privileged position indeed and one that I intend to make the very most of!”

Flight Lieutenant Kev Ritchie RAFVR(T), Officer Commanding 422 (Corby) Squadron, said on Sgt Bell’s appointment, “Sgt Bell should be very proud of her achievement in being awarded the post of the Station Commander’s Cadet.  Posts like these are not easy to achieve and being awarded it is testament to the professionalism and hard work Sgt Bell puts into the organisation and outside in her studies.  I look forward to what this year will bring for her in Wittering’s centenary year!”

If you’re aged between 12 (School Year 8) and 16 and are interested in becoming a Royal Air Force Air Cadet, 422 (Corby) Squadron are holding an Open Day on Saturday 10th September 2016 from 10am to 2pm at their Squadron Headquarters on St. Mark’s Road.

For more information, you can call the Squadron on 01536 601615 or click here.