Letter from the Squadron - 2004
As part of the Dinner it was my pleasure to read the citation for the Geoffrey Bromet Memorial Trophy, which was presented to Flt Lt Steve Kenworthy by the Guest of Honour, Air Vice-Marshal David Walker, in recognition of his achievements as the aerobatics display pilot. Overall it was an excellent evening rounded off by some late night revelry in the West End!
Flying continued at a high rate through the winter months and we received several high ranking visitors, including the Chief of the Air Staff. In March we held a Squadron Dining-In Night with more than 100 attendees where we dined out seven of the staff. At the end of March I spent 5 days in Delhi visiting the IAF Training Headquarters with a team from BAE Systems to provide advice on the detail of the training package that we will be providing. The Squadron was again chosen to provide the RAF Valley aerobatics display pilot and we spent many weeks from February to March working up the selected candidate - Flt Lt Jon Killerby. The work culminated in March with a successful display in front of AOT - Air Vice-Marshal Walker - and the award of Public Display Authority. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the first flight of the Hawk aircraft and we are hoping to apply a special paint scheme to 2 of our aircraft and use them on the display circuit this year. As I write, the first display of the season - in Cyprus - has just been completed and we look forward to another safe and successful season.
Overall it has been a hectic, but enjoyable and productive period. We have seen some major changes to our tasking and to our support arrangements out, as the dust begins to settle, we hope to enter a more stable period. We face some significant new challenges with the advent of IAF training and the potential for further changes in the wider RAF. However, I strongly believe that the Squadron can reflect on a job well done and am in no doubt that we will be able to cope with whatever is thrown at us. Morale is high and the flying is still great fun; we are confident of maintaining our positive approach and carrying forward the traditions and reputation of the Squadron.
- Wing Commander Nigel Clifford
Letter from the Squadron - 2004 Page 1 2 3