Two remarkable young people from Stamford and Melton Mowbray have been appointed as the RAF Wittering Station Commander’s Cadet and the A4 Force Elements Commander’s Air Cadet.
Cadet Corporal (Cpl) Evie Griffen from 2071 Stamford Squadron is the new Station Commander’s Cadet and Cadet Cpl Jessica Brown from 1279 Melton Mowbray Squadron is the new A4 Force Elements Commander’s Cadet.
Group Captain Jo Lincoln is the Station Commander at RAF Wittering and Commander of the A4 Force Elements; the specialist engineering and logistics squadrons that support RAF operations in the UK and overseas. This combined role presented an opportunity to appoint two cadets and, for the next year, Evie and Jess will be given a unique insight into the RAF, and the work of RAF Wittering and the A4 Force Elements.
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Image By: SAC Kim Waterson
Group Captain Lincoln said: “It was a tough competition. My executive Warrant Officers both scrutinized the large volume of applications we received, and many were of a very high standard, but the applications from Cadet Cpl Brown and Cadet Cpl Griffen really stood out.”
Evie and Jess were amazed to find out they’d been successful. Evie said: “When Group Captain Lincoln told me I had achieved the role I was speechless and ecstatic at the same time as I thought 'how can I have got the role, I'm only a Corporal after all.”
Jess said: “I genuinely couldn't believe it. I feel beyond honoured to think that Group Captain Lincoln, Warrant Officer Little and Warrant Officer Greening all saw something special in me to carry out such a prestigious role and I sure hope that I will go above and beyond their expectations.”
Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, an official photograph has not been possible so far, however, set with their first task, Jess, a keen photographer, with Evie, produced two terrific montage images with the help of RAF Wittering’s photographic section.
Image By: Cadet Cpl Evie Griffen
In addition to their cadet duties, Evie and Jess are expected to participate fully in their education and maintain high schoolwork standards. Both cadets have RAF career aspirations. Cadet Cpl Evie Griffen is considering a career in the RAF Police or as a photographer, and Cadet Cpl Jess Brown is interested in becoming an RAF Police dog-handler or a medic.
Image By: Cadet Cpl Jess Brown
Group Captain Lincoln said: “The way Evie and Jess reacted to the news that they had been successful told me straight away that we had chosen the right cadets. I am delighted to welcome them to the RAF Wittering and A4 Force Elements' family and can’t wait to meet them in person, once it is safe to do so.”
Group Captain Lincoln concluded: “Cadet Cpls Brown and Griffen will have this opportunity only once, so it’s really important that, together, we make the most of the next twelve months. It’s going to be a brilliant journey for them and hopefully full of experiences that will stay with them for a lifetime.”
