Students paraded at RAF Wittering yesterday (4th August) as the Commandant of Royal Air Force College Cranwell inspected the University of London Air Squadron and No 115 Squadron.
Image By: SAC Kimberley Waterson
The visit began with a formal parade outside RAF Wittering’s Campbell Building, where the University of London Air Squadron (ULAS) is based. During the visit, Air Commodore Suraya Marshall inspected the students’ parade, reviewed their military presentation skills and held an informal Q & A session.
Image By: SAC Kimberley Waterson
University Air Squadrons offer undergraduates a unique chance to sample RAF life. They attract ambitious and intelligent students to a Royal Air Force career but joining a UAS doesn’t necessarily mean joining the RAF. As well as specialist training and the chance to fly, undergraduates learn valuable leadership and team-building skills.
Image By: SAC Abigail Drewett
Squadron Leader Chris Pearson is the Commanding Officer of ULAS, he said: “It was a pleasure to welcome the Commandant of the Royal Air Force College to ULAS today. Not only did it give the students the opportunity to showcase the squadron’s achievements in what has been a very challenging 18 months, it also allowed the new students to informally meet a senior Royal Air Force Officer for the first time.”
Image By: SAC Kimberley Waterson
ULAS and the 14 other University Air Squadrons belong to No 6 Flying Training School, which is part of the Royal Air Force College. After speaking with the ULAS students Air Commodore Marshall spent time with the flying instructors of No 115 Squadron, and then met with Wing Commander Jez Case, Station Commander at RAF Wittering.
Air Commodore Marshall is one of the Royal Air Force’s best known and most respected officers. She joined the RAF as a navigator in 1994 and is currently the most senior serving female aviator. Since 2019 she has been Commandant of the Royal Air Force College Cranwell.
Students are taught to fly in Grob Tutor aircraft and the University Air Squadrons rely heavily on their corps of flying instructors. No 115 Squadron at RAF Wittering teaches already qualified pilots to become instructors on the Grob Tutor. No 115 Squadron is a world leading organisation, which delivers an excellent syllabus and first-class tuition to its students.
Image By: SAC Kimberley Waterson
Kevin Mason (21) from Grantham, is an Acting Pilot Officer with ULAS and their Senior Student for 2021/22. He said: “It was fantastic to be able to meet such a high-ranking officer in person and discuss what the Sqn has been up to in the past year. As an ex-member of the UAS system herself, the Commandant embodies what is achievable for us within an RAF career; acting as a true role model for the students.”
Image By: SAC Kimberley Waterson
Five flying units are based at RAF Wittering. Cambridge and London University Air Squadrons, No 115 Squadron, No 5 Air Experience Flight which offers Air Cadets their first taste of flying, and No 16 Squadron which trains aspiring RAF pilots.
RAF Wittering Station Commander, Wing Commander Jez Case, said: “It has been an honour to welcome Air Commodore Marshall to RAF Wittering and I know that the students and instructors have enjoyed meeting and speaking with her. The University Air Squadrons and 115 Sqn are part of the Station fabric and we are enriched by the diversity that students bring to our Station.”
