The Royal Air Force Air Cadets is celebrating a remarkable testament to long-standing voluntary service, as two dedicated and long serving volunteers, Wing Commander Colin McCrae and Reverend James Pitkin, have both been awarded the prestigious Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). These esteemed honours underscore their profound and lasting impact on the lives of countless young people and adult volunteers across the UK. The MBE recognises outstanding achievement or service to the community, characterised by long-term, significant impact and standing as an inspiring example to others.
Wing Commander Colin McCrae: A Lifetime of Leadership and Inspiration in Scotland
Wing Commander Colin McCrae's MBE, announced in the King's Birthday Honours list, is a testament to his exemplary voluntary service and unwavering loyalty to the Royal Air Force Air Cadets in Scotland since August 1976.
Group Captain Sohail Khan, Regional Commandant for Scotland & Northern Ireland Region RAF Air Cadets, expressed his delight: "I was absolutely delighted to see Wing Commander Colin McCrae appointed as a Member to the Military Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. Wg Cdr McCrae’s voluntary service with the RAF Air Cadets has been an exemplar of outstanding dedication and loyalty, and over the last 48 years, he has contributed magnificently to a wide range of training, command and staff appointments."
Wg Cdr McCrae's citation highlights his pivotal role in leading the formation of the newly created South-East Scotland Wing, where he served as its inaugural Officer Commanding. In this demanding new role, he travelled extensively, personally engaging with every volunteer in the Wing to focus collective efforts on delivering a high-quality cadet experience.
The countless thousands of Air Cadets he has inspired bear witness to Wg Cdr McCrae's unwavering commitment, fostering their passion for aviation, adventurous training, sport, and music, including careers in the Armed Forces. A shining example of his extraordinary initiative is the establishment of the Scotland and Northern Ireland Pipes and Drums Band. Through first-class organisational skills and sheer hard work, he secured National Band status for the group following brilliant performances at significant events like the Lord Mayor's Show in the City of London, the Air Training Corps 75th Anniversary parade, and Beating the Retreat for Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Balmoral. In early 2024, Wg Cdr McCrae was also selected as the Scotland & Northern Ireland Region Senior Staff Officer, bringing "huge energy and purpose to the role."
Upon hearing the news, Wg Cdr McCrae expressed his deep gratitude. "I am extremely honoured to have been considered worthy of the award and grateful for your support," he said. "I can't repay the organisation for what it's done for me since I was persuaded to join by a friend at school. Its impact on my life has been immense." He cherishes the friendships made as a young cadet, the support from CFAVs and staff, and the rich experiences that have enriched his life, work, and family.
Reflecting on what this recognition means, Wg Cdr McCrae shared,
"I am humbled by the award which reflects the commitment and dedication of those who inspired me and all of our CFAVs who continue to inspire the next generation." His proudest achievement remains "meeting the many cadets who have gone on to achieve their ambitions, whatever they might be, and who fondly remember their experience as cadets." To current and aspiring cadets, his advice is clear: "Anything is achievable if you are determined and have self-belief. Aim high and don't give up."
Reverend James Pitkin: Guiding Hearts and Modernising Chaplaincy
Reverend James Pitkin's MBE acknowledges his lifelong dedication and profound influence as the Corps Chaplain within the RAF Air Cadets. His extensive journey with the organisation began as a cadet in 1975. After a distinguished career as an RAF Engineering Officer from 1980 to 1999, he was ordained and felt a calling to return to the Air Cadets.
Rejoining in 2000 as a chaplain in the Air Training Corps (ATC), he served as Wing Chaplain and Regional Chaplain before his appointment as National Chaplain in December 2015. In this crucial voluntary, unpaid role, he is responsible for chaplaincy provision across over 1,000 units, overseeing more than 500 chaplains who serve a community of over 43,000 Air Cadets (aged 12-21) and 10,000 volunteer staff. This is a considerable commitment, undertaken without any administrative assistance, alongside his busy duties as a Church of England Vicar in the Diocese of Winchester and Area Dean in Romsey since 2017.
Reverend Pitkin has thoroughly improved and modernised ATC chaplaincy from Aberdeen to Belfast and London to Gibraltar, leading a wide variety of chaplains from diverse Christian denominations and other world faiths. His efforts have ensured that Cadets and adult leaders consistently receive well-trained and appropriate pastoral care delivered by professional chaplaincy teams. He has significantly engaged with the increasingly diverse cultural and ethnic communities in which ATC squadrons are located, ensuring that chaplaincy has been at the forefront of change, creatively responding to challenges and opportunities for appropriate pastoral care.
Under his leadership, the chaplaincy has played a key role in ceremonial and liturgical activities, delivering moments of meaning and reflection through ritual and ceremony. Notably, Reverend Pitkin has served as a crucial sounding-board for senior leaders within the ATC, offering discreet advice and the ability to "speak truth to power" when required, executing his role with integrity and earning the respect of those he serves.
He has shown himself to be consistently positive and well-informed, particularly in the vital areas of recruiting, training, and retaining civilian chaplains. Under his stewardship, the number of female chaplains has increased significantly from 10% to 30% of the total, with signs of further growth. Likewise, he has significantly added to the number of chaplains from non-white ethnic backgrounds in the ATC, better reflecting the diverse background of the cadets they serve.
For nearly a quarter of a century, Reverend James Pitkin has voluntarily served as an ATC chaplain, dedicating the last 10 years as National Chaplain. He has truly embodied the RAF core value of "Service Before Self." "It has been a real joy to help make the Air Cadet Chaplaincy more diverse, and more reflective of the cadets and adult volunteers," Reverend Pitkin shared. His unique background, encompassing experiences as a cadet, RAF officer, and now a Chaplain, has given him a profound ability to connect with and guide young people.
A legacy of inspiration and service
Commandant RAF Air Cadets, Air Commodore Lewis said:
"To see two of our most dedicated and long-serving volunteers, Wing Commander Colin McCrae and Reverend James Pitkin, recognised with MBEs is a source of immense pride for the entire RAF Air Cadets family. Their combined decades of unwavering commitment, inspirational leadership, and profound impact on countless young lives truly embody the very best of our organisation. They are shining examples of the dedication that makes the Air Cadets such a powerful force for good in communities across the UK," said the Commandant of RAF Air Cadets.
Both Wing Commander Colin McCrae and Reverend James Pitkin epitomize the spirit of the RAF Air Cadets. Their MBEs are not just personal accolades but a recognition of decades of selfless dedication, impactful leadership, and an unwavering commitment to shaping the lives of young people across the United Kingdom. Their legacies will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations within the Corps."
Air Commodore Lewis
Commandant RAF Air Cadets
In addition to the the two MBEs, three volunteers and one team have been recognised with commendations from Air Officer Commanding 22 Group.
Air Officer Commanding No 22 Group Commendations
Squadron Leader J Blackie (North Region)
Squadron Leader R Jones (Central & East Region)
Flight Sergeant T Elton (2 FTS)
Team Commendations
Essex Wing Warrant Officer's Team