Beckett Intake Brave the Snow
Beckett Intake, Flights 3 and 4 have Graduated from Recruit Training Squadron after ten weeks of Basic Recruit Training at RAF Halton. Reviewing Officer was Air Vice-Marshal Waterfall, Chief Of Staff for Operations at Permanent Joint Headquarters, PJHQ.
Musical accompaniment was by The Band Of The Royal Air Force Regiment with Band Master Warrant Officer P Craggs and the fly past was by a Chinook from 28 Squadron based at RAF Benson due to a last minute change as the expected Hawk from RAF Leeming was grounded due to snow. The cancellation came from Operations at roughly 08:30hrs. Following that time Fg Off Kyle Sugden was in constant contact with RAF Benson Operations to try and get a flypast.
At 1240hrs (t-minus 50mins to flypast), RAF Benson confirmed that a Chinook flown by 28 Sqn was available, this aircraft was flown by the following people,
Captain – Wg Cdr Martin Lock
Co-pilot – Flt Lt Stephen Dunbar
Lead crewman – MACR Mark Alden-Court
Crewman – Sgt Smith
AVM Waterfall praised the recruits for their determination to maintain the very highest standards of dress and deportment throughout their graduation parade, despite the challenging weather conditions and in the finest traditions of the Service. As a military force we must overcome adversity to achieve our aims, and Beckett Intake showed that ability in spades.
He presented presented trophies and awards to recipients who were:
AC Isabelle Pettit was awarded The Halton Aircraft Apprentice Shield. Awarded to the recruit who has displayed the highest overall standard of effort, determination and achievement in physical education.
AC Liam Sarah Bracey – The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund Trophy, awarded for displaying the greatest effort and determination on Number 3 Flight.
AC Heather Young – The Station Commander’s Cup, awarded for displaying the greatest effort and determination on Number 4 Flight.
AC Lydia Gojke – The Mayor Of Aylesbury Trophy, awarded for the best overall performance in all aspects of training on Number 3 Flight.
AC Siobhan Mundy – The Rothschild Trophy, Awarded to the recruit who achieves the highest overall standard in Initial Force Protection Training.
AC Lilly Holford – The Lord Lieutenant Of Buckinghamshire’s Trophy for the best overall performance in all aspects of training on Number 4 Flight.
AC Gary Metcalfe – The Dusty Miller Trophy, as voted for by their fellow recruits.
AC Nathan Bates – The Halton Aircraft Apprentice Trophy, awarded to the recruit who achieves the highest overall standard in drill and deportment.
Finally The Lord Trenchard Trophy awarded to the Flight whose performance has been the best overall in general service training and general service knowledge. It was awarded to No. 4 Flight and collected on their behalf by AC Joseph Daniels.
The Station Commander, Group Captain James Brayshaw, invited guests to have lunch with him, for this Graduation Parade he had heritage experts, Group Captain (Retd) Steve Lloyd and Aldon Ferguson. Extra guests were Ben Glazier and his wife Angela. Ben was invited to design a stamp by the post office on the Isle of Man to commemorate RAF 100. After lunch he presented a framed memento of the stamps to the Station Commander.
All images are Crown Copyright.