Air Cadet Graduation Link at RAF Halton
Television personality and Air Cadet Ambassador, Honorary Group Captain Carol Vorderman, attended the latest graduation parade at RAF Halton as the guest of the Reviewing Officer and Officer Commanding the Air Cadet Organisation; Air Commodore Dawn McCafferty.
With no less than twelve ex-Air Cadets graduating on the regular RAF recruit graduation parade, Air Commodore McCafferty expressed great pride and welcomed all on parade into the Royal Air Force family.
As a pilot herself, with two sons who were Air Cadets and a daughter having just spent four years on a University Air Squadron learning to fly; Group Caption Carol Vorderman said she was thrilled to be asked to be a spokesperson for the organisation. Both Air Commodore McCafferty and Group Captain Vorderman spent time after the parade meeting with the graduating RAF personnel and their families along with Air Cadets on their summer camp at RAF Halton.
Although the Air Cadet Organisation is not a recruitment organisation for the RAF, approximately 50% of the RAF officer intake comprises of former Air Cadets with around 30% of airmen and airwomen also former cadets and at least half of the Red Arrows.
Chief of the Air Staff, Sir Andrew Pulford is also a former Air Cadet along with former 007 actor Timothy Dalton, late actor Richard Burton and actor Robson Green to name but a few.
The RAF Air Cadet Organisation comprises the Air Training Corps and the Combined Cadet Force (RAF) and has approximately 1,200 squadrons and sections across the UK in communities and schools.
The aim is to promote and encourage among young people a practical interest in aviation and the RAF; provide training useful in the Services and in civilian life, to foster a spirit of adventure and to develop qualities of leadership and citizenship.
The RAF Air Cadets is one of the finest youth organisations in the UK and held in very high regard by foreign cadet forces. Creating good citizens of the future is their business.