When I was given the opportunity to attend Exercise WYVERN CYMRU 2026 on the Isle of Wight, my mission was simple: to tell the story of the people taking part and show the valuable contribution made by the Part-Time Volunteer Reservists (PTVRs) across the Royal Air Force.
As a full-time reservist, the exercise also had a personal meaning for me. I served in the Regular RAF for 10 years, then had a 16-year break before returning in May 2025. Coming back into uniform reminded me that service is not only about the role you do, but the people around you, the skills you gain and the sense of purpose that comes with being part of something bigger.
Exercise WYVERN CYMRU brought together reservists from three Royal Auxiliary Air Force squadrons: 505 Squadron at RAF St Mawgan in Cornwall, 611 Squadron in Merseyside and 614 Squadron in Cardiff. Personnel from a range of trades took part in the Exercise which included fieldcraft, ranges, force development, adventurous training and wider military skills. For many, this meant time away from civilian careers, families and everyday responsibilities. Yet what stood out most was the enthusiasm, professionalism and positive attitude of everyone I met.
The average age of those taking part was 44, demonstrating that it is never too late to challenge yourself, learn new skills, meet new people and contribute to Defence. The RAF Reserves attract people from all walks of life, with opportunities ranging from Chef and Intelligence Analyst to People Operations, Supply and many more. Some reservists use skills from their civilian careers, while others choose a completely different role; for example, you do not need to be a chef in civilian life to train as a Reservist Chef.
What struck me most was the commitment. These are people who already have busy lives, yet they choose to give up their spare time to develop themselves, support their units and make a difference. They train hard, support each other and bring a huge amount of energy to everything they do. To me, they were nothing short of inspirational.
One reservist I interviewed described how Reserve service complemented both a demanding civilian career and his continued connection to the RAF. “In my day job I work as an IT Project Manager with Lloyds Banking Group, delivering a strategic backup and disaster recovery solution for critical banking systems. The Reserves give me continuity, purpose and the chance to keep contributing to my RAF experience while still developing personally and professionally. Exercise WYVERN CYMRU was intense, tough and demanding, but genuinely enjoyable. Working alongside reservists from other squadrons reinforced how important teamwork, communication and mutual support are in achieving the exercise objectives. I came away with renewed confidence, improved field skills and a strong appreciation for the capability and professionalism across the Reserve force”.
Another reservist explained that his civilian role also supports Defence, but that his decision to join the Reserves was driven by a personal sense of service. “In my civilian role, I work in Defence as a Commercial Manager supporting military capability. Becoming a Reservist was a quick and straightforward decision for me. The invasion of Ukraine made me reflect on global security and the world my daughter’s generation may face. As a father, I wanted to contribute towards protecting those who cannot protect themselves, and I am proud to serve as an active PTVR. Exercise WYVERN CYMRU was an excellent experience, with eight days of immersive training alongside fellow reservists. The field training was a particular highlight, especially the final exercise, which reinforced the importance of teamwork and what can be achieved when everyone works together towards a common goal. The survival briefing was also memorable - engaging, insightful and, thankfully, on this exercise, worms and snails were off the menu”.
During the exercise, I learned new skills, refreshed old ones and experienced first-hand the camaraderie that makes the RAF so special. What will stay with me is the teamwork, humour, resilience and trust: knowing someone has your back, working through difficult moments together and remaining committed to a shared goal.
For anyone thinking, “I would love to do something different, but I am not sure if it is for me”, my message is simple: find out. The RAF Reserves offer the chance to serve alongside motivated people, gain confidence, develop leadership skills, travel, train and be part of a team with a real sense of purpose.
I came away from Exercise WYVERN CYMRU reminded that people are at the heart of the RAF. It was a great experience, and I would recommend Reserve service to anyone seeking a challenge, new friendships, a sense of belonging and the opportunity to contribute alongside their civilian life.
