New arrivals were put through their paces at Royal Air Force Wittering this weekend as Cambridge University Air Squadron (CUAS) welcomed its latest intake of undergraduates.
There are 15 RAF University Air Squadrons (UAS) and they offer undergraduates a chance to sample RAF life. Their main role is to attract talented undergraduates to regular and reserve RAF service, but membership of a UAS doesn’t mean students have to join the RAF after university.
Image by: Cpl Paul Robertshaw.
Fitness was the priority on Friday as the UAS Students were taken to the Station’s main gym and taught basic parachute drill before a punishing bleep test, press ups and sit ups. Leadership, management and problem-solving exercises at CUAS HQ made up the rest of the day.
Image by: Cpl Paul Robertshaw.
Ellie Brewer (20) from Norfolk is in her first year of studying medicine and aspires to a medical career in the Royal Air Force. She said: “I was looking to join a University Air Squadron because I wanted to meet interesting, determined people and have a chance to partake in adventurous training.”
Image by: Cpl Paul Robertshaw.
Adventurous training includes rock climbing, skiing and sailing – giving UAS recruits a chance to learn valuable leadership and team-building skills. As the UAS’s are part of the RAF, recruits also have the opportunity to fly. One of the first pilots to touch down at RAF Wittering when the airfield reopened in 2014 was a Cambridge UAS student.
Squadron Leader Rich Kellett is the Commanding Officer of Cambridge University Air Squadron and a former Hercules pilot. He said: “When people see ‘Cambridge’ they can get a little intimidated, but you don’t have to be a Cambridge undergraduate to join us. We take students from Anglia Ruskin (Cambridge and Chelmsford) and the Universities of East Anglia, Northampton and Essex. Regardless of what university you’re from, everyone is treated the same way and has the same amazing opportunities.”
Cambridge University Air Squadron was formed in 1925. It is an official training unit of the Royal Air Force and forms part of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. It is the oldest of the University Air Squadrons in the UK and for many years it was based at Cambridge Airport at Teversham.
Image by: Cpl Paul Robertshaw.
Most undergraduates will spend between two and three years with a UAS. The RAF website has details of each one.
The new intake has spent time learning the basics of military life at RAF College Cranwell and returned to RAF Wittering for some physical training and leadership exercises. Flying training will start later in the year; for most of the students, it will be their first time sitting in a cockpit.
Image by: Cpl Paul Robertshaw.
Group Captain Tony Keeling is the Station Commander at RAF Wittering. He said:
“Joining a UAS is a great way to enhance a university education whilst learning about future career choices. Regardless of whether students choose to join the RAF on graduation, the skills they get from two or three years with the UAS will stay with them for a lifetime.”
