The Royal Air Force Falcons welcome new team members for the 2018 display season, the year of the RAF Centenary.
Flight Lieutenant Mikaela Harrison, will be the new Deputy Officer Commanding the RAF Falcons Team. Mikaela will play a vital role as the Drop Zone Safety Officer during the 2018 display season. Where she will ensure the drop zone area is marked correctly and is safe for the parachutists to land in. Mikaela will also work alongside the Officer Commanding RAF Falcons, assisting with the management of the Team.
“Selection onto the RAF Falcons is a goal I had as soon as I joined the RAF, so I am incredibly happy to have this opportunity. It’s exciting to be able to represent Airborne Delivery Wing and the RAF, doing a job that I find so enjoyable.”
Flight Lieutenant Mikaela Harrison
Deputy Officer Commanding the RAF Falcons
Flight Sergeant Dave Worboys, joins as the Team Coach, another instrumental role within the Team. Dave will be responsible for leading the parachutists into the display arenas around the United Kingdom. The Team Coach also monitors the other members within the Team ensuring their parachuting skills are developed throughout the year.
“Being the Falcons Team Coach is an immense responsibility to ensure the training I provide to the other team members are adequately prepared as Display Parachutists and Parachute Jump Instructors for future employment.”
Flight Sergeant Dave Worboys
RAF Falcons Team Coach
Three new Falcons enter the Team this year including, Sergeant Shane Phipps, Corporal Sean Kilkenny and Corporal Chris West. All three have been specifically selected to join the Team and are looking forward to being part of the Falcons family, especially for the RAF’s 100th anniversary year.
“It has always been a career goal of mine to be part of the RAF Falcons and I feel extremely proud and privileged to be selected. I am most looking forward to spending three years doing a job I enjoy, being able to showcase what I enjoy doing and having the chance to meet a wide variety of people in a lot of different places.”
Sergeant Shane Phipps
First Year Falcon
“I feel proud to represent the RAF as an RAF Falcon as this has been a goal of mine since joining the Royal Air Force. I am looking forward to doing something I enjoy every day, improving my parachuting ability and completing displays all over the UK, especially in the North East of England!”
Corporal Sean Kilkenny
First Year Falcon
“I am really happy to have been selected for the team as it’s been an ambition of mine since graduating as a Physical Training Instructor in 2009. I am looking forward to working hard with the team and putting on some great displays over the next three years.”
Corporal Chris West
First Year Falcon
Before the display season begins, the Team will embark on their intense winter training period which takes place in the USA. Where they will undertake display leader and advanced canopy control training, all in preparation for the 2018 display season.
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