Cadet Warrant Officer (CWO) Sam Page, 19, has recently received the accolade of being awarded his Gold Glider Wings, the first set to be issued to any cadet at 1279 (Melton Mowbray) Squadron. Sam has previously seen a wealth of aviation success from being awarded a Flying Scholarship through the Royal Air Forces Association and then completing a Silver Wings Gliding Scholarship over the past few years. On completion of his Silver Wings training, the CWO was invited to remain with the team at 644 Volunteer Gliding School (VGS) as a Flight Staff Cadet (FSC) and to begin his Gold Wings Glider Training. The Gold Wings syllabus continues the ground school that the CWO learnt during his Silver Wings Training, a written exam and gliding sorties under instruction. The intense course culminates in five assessed solo sorties. Undertaking his training for almost a year, due to training being on hold… Read More »
South & East Midlands Wing adult volunteer, Squadron Leader Alyn Thompson RAFAC, has received an MBE in the Queen’s birthday honours list. Squadron Leader Thompson commissioned into the RAF Volunteer Reserve (Training) Branch 40 years ag o, four years later becoming the 7th Officer Commanding of 1211 (Swadlincote) Squadron. Following Squadron Leader Thompson having been at the helm for 35 years, Swadlincote is a jewel amongst the Corps’ 950 units, having attracted multiple awards for excellence. Swadlincote won the Morris Trophy for best large unit in the Corps in 2009 and then replicated this feat in 2017, an unprecedented achievement. During his time in charge of 1211 (Swadlincote) Squadron he has been heavily involved in supporting a variety of local, national and international projects. This notably includes setting up a partnership with an African orphanage in Burundi and supporting Aqua Boxes, water purification systems for Third World Countries. As part… Read More »
