Mirfield Cadets celebrate year of outstanding achievements

Dame Ingrid’s connections with 868 (Mirfield) Squadron span all of her 14 years in office, the Squadron having provided her with her Lord Lieutenant’s Air Cadet for 7 of those years, and to mark the occasion the first of those also attended the day: now Captain Matthew Riley RMP. Dame Ingrid was also please to be re-united with the last of her Lord Lieutenant’s cadets from the Squadron: Cadet Warrant Officer Joe Jenkinson and she happily posed for a picture with him and his family.

Parents and friends had been invited to support the cadets, and the proceedings started with Dame Ingrid inspecting the cadets on parade, before proceeding to present the various awards.

Certificates were presented covering a range of activities and achievements, including:

l BTEC Diplomas for Teamwork and Personal Development, Level 2

l Cadet classifications

l First Aid (Youth First Aid, Activity First Aid and First Aid at Work)

l Cadet Leadership (16 cadets achieved the Blue badge for Foundation level and two progressed from this to Bronze level)

l Flying (First Flight, Air Experience Gliding and 11 cadets gained Blue Aviation Wings and another Bronze Wings)

l Radio and Cyber Communications (8 Blue badge, 1 Bronze Radio)

l Representative Sports (10 cadets representing South and West Yorkshire Wing in Athletics, Football, Rugby, Netball, Hockey and Cross Country)

l Camp attendances (Basic Training Camp, Regional Activity Centre, Visitor to the Qualified Aerospace Instructors Course)

Trophies for individual achievements went to: Toby Mathews (Best Recruit); Rebecca Jagger (Best Cadet), Thomas Fedzin (Best NCO), Laila Robinson (Esprit de Corps)

Promotions were also awarded to: Flight Sergeant Thomas Fedzin, Sergeant Matthew Johnson, Corporal Rebecca Jagger.

Special presentations were also made to civilian instructors James White for 12 years long service, and to Lionel Green for an amazing 24 years.

After the presentations, cadets gave displays of Banner Drill, Band Performance and First Aid, and as this year marks the centenary of both the end of the First World War and the foundation of the Royal Air Force refreshments included sample dishes from service menus across the years

Flight Lieutenant Peter Doubell, Officer Commanding 868 Squadron, said: “The first half of this has continued to be a tremendously busy time for the Squadron, we progression in the new Progressive Training Syllabus, and we have been active in so many other areas: flying, gliding and a variety of different camps.

“Today has been an opportunity to recognise everybody’s achievements – I am immensely proud of everyone’s effort and their outstanding results.”