And so to my reflections of 2½ years in command of this historic Squadron. Undoubtedly, the highlight was my visit to meet Henry Botterell and share in the history represented by that remarkable man. However, I am most intensely proud of the Squadron’s achievements during the period. Whilst it is perhaps disappointing that 208 is no longer operational, I do not look upon this in a negative sense. Far from it - 208 Squadron still has a vital role to play in the modem era, not just in training the quantity of last-jet pilots required by the front line, but also in ensuring that the quality of those pilots is as good as it can be, both in terms of their flying skill and in the way in which they attack their professional duties. What better Squadron than 208, therefore, to imbue the combat pilots of the future with the right ethos and fighting spirit. I am therefore very pleased to have raised the profile of the Squadron history in the modern training syllabus in many ways, including the comprehensive suite of markings on our aircraft and the inclusion of 208 Squadron’s historic exploits as examples in modern air power doctrine.
I am also very proud of the improvements we have made in the flying training process. Naval 8 / 208 Squadron has always been synonymous with excellence, from its inception on the Western Front to its final combat operations in the Gulf. Nothing of that spirit has changed: we are indisputably the biggest and the busiest fast-jet unit in the RAF and, I would suggest, the most efficient and successful Flying Training unit of the modern era as well. Long may that continue! However, whilst I have endeavoured to provide a firm hand at the tiller, I cannot take the credit for these achievements. That belongs to the pilots of the Squadron and their dedication, professionalism, indomitable spirit and overwhelming enthusiasm for flying. The experience levels on the Squadron might be at their lowest ever ebb (nearly 50% of the current staff are first-tourists) but the qualities of my young pilots are as high as they have ever been throughout the Squadron’s illustrious history.
That will be my abiding memory of 208 Squadron, which it has been a privilege and an honour to command and to share, in some small part, the pride of our first Squadron Commander, Sir Geoffrey Bromet, whose words in 1918 I dedicate with thanks to the Squadron of today:
‘The pilots needed a rest, it is true, but ..... it is to their everlasting credit that they got
through without loss of keenness or morale, and it was more apparent than ever to me
that I had the support of the finest crowd of fellows ever.’
