Page 17 - issue05.04.2019

Royal Air Force News Friday, April 5, 2019 P17

News

Cyber ace joins

top apprentices

Staff Reporter

HIGH-FLYING RAF trainees
have been honoured at the
Service’s annual Apprentice of the
Year ceremony.
Joined by their proud families
at Wittering, 11 award recipients
can now look ahead to careers
in specialist trades ranging from
engineering to firefighting,
human resources and cyberspace
communications.
Presenting the awards, the
RAF’s head of training Air Vice
Marshal Warren James, said: “We
are proud of all our apprentices.
Those receiving awards have been
recognised by both their instructors
and colleagues for going that extra
bit further.”
Apprentices have formed the TOP TRAINEES: AVM James joins winners across Air Force trades at Wittering, inset
backbone of the RAF for 99 below,cyberspace specialist SAC Niraj Gurung, right, SAC Megan Hubbard
years and some of the latest the RAF as an Apprentice apprentices also enjoy the financial
intake have already served can seem quite daunting, but and social benefits of being full-
on operational deployments when you are in it is great. I time members of the Service.”
overseas, including the would recommend it.” Award recipient Lossiemouth- Apprentice of the Year winners
Falkland Islands, and on RAF Head of based engineer SAC Megan
exercise in the USA. Apprentices Alan Hubbard said: “l love being in
Odiham Cyber Moss said: “The RAF Scotland but hope my service in the SAC ALISTAIR McKie (Aircraft Benjamin Savill, (Firefighter),
Protection Team is one of the UK’s RAF takes me around the world. Technician – Avionics) SAC SAC Mollie Lambert, (Flight
Member SAC Niraj largest apprenticeship Cyprus would be a good start.” Gabriella Watt (Survival Operations Assistant), SAC Beth
Gurung won the providers delivering The RAF currently has 2,700 Equipment Specialist), SAC Niraj Roberts, (Photographer) SAC
Apprentice of the training at 17 schools apprentices enrolled on 21 different Gurung, (Cyberspace Comms Emma Nelson, (Human Resources
Year award in the followed by workplace skills and trades, and a completion Specialist), SAC Megan Hubbard, Specialist), SAC Kai Nudds,
Communications and experience at units in rate of 97 per cent. (Vehicle and Mechanical Tech), (Logistics Chef), SAC Thomas
Ground Engineering the UK and overseas. Since 2002, more than 27,500 SAC Dale Nuttall, (General Burley, (Aircraft Technician –
category. With a guaranteed job RAF entrants have completed an Technical Workshops), SAC Mechanical).
He said: “Joining on completion, our apprenticeship.

Association builds on Middle East legacy
News bulletin

Chocks away Simon Mander help keep the Airfield Construction
“We felt strongly that we could
for race day RAF PERSONNEL responsible Branch legacy going and expand
for building air bases in some the Association if possible.”
of the world’s most extreme The new 5001 Airfield
locations are to be united in a new Construction Branch Association
association formed at Wittering. and is open to serving personnel
Boasting 39 squadrons and and veterans.
nearly 30,000 personnel at its height Association secretary Geoffrey
the Airfield Construction Branch Chesher-Brazier (pictured below
was one of the largest units in the with Sqn Ldr Davies) worked as a
Air Force. Its mission was to build, field surveyor in Aden and Salalah.
extend and maintain runways and He said: “I’ve been involved with
airfields in Africa, Europe, the ACBA for eight years and I still see
Middle East and Far-East. one or two familiar faces that were
The Branch was disbanded in 1966 in Aden and the other bases.”
THE POPULAR annual Spitfire and its responsibilities transferred 5001 Squadron WO Darren
10K returns to the RAF Museum to the Royal Engineers with 5001 Thomas said: “It’s the shared
Cosford on September 1 giving engineering support unit the experiences that matter
runners the chance to race across only airfield construction here.
the airfield and down the runway at branch squadron still in service. “Airfield construction
RAF Cosford. OC Sqn Ldr Gareth Davies, was a very specific career
Following a sell-out five months said: “For many years the experience for all our
ahead of race day, organisers have Airfield Construction veterans and having
just released 300 more places. Branch Association a chance to be with
Runners are given the name of a kept veterans in touch people who have
Battle of Britain pilot to wear with with one another and worked in the same
their race number and organisers provided an important branch is invaluable,
are encouraging participants social outlet, but a lot of you can see how
to dress in wartime garb. Go to the members are now in much it benefits the
rafmuseum.org/Cosford to register. their 70s and 80s. veterans.”