On Tuesday 26th May, six Air Cadets from Sandy got opportunity to fly with 22 Squadron RAF, who share an affiliation with 22 (Sandy) Squadron.
The Squadron were invited to fly in the Sea King helicopter, being operated by B Flight of 22 Squadron based at Wattisham Airfield, Suffolk, where they provide search and rescue cover for East Anglia and part of South East England, until the end of RAF search and rescue operations this year.
During the visit, the cadets were shown around one of the search and rescue helicopters that have regularly saved lives around the country, before undertaking the pre-flight safety briefing and being kitted out for the flight.
The flight lasted 40 minutes, taking the cadets around Suffolk, with some of the cadets getting the chance of being connected to the aircraft’s intercom, allowing the cadets the opportunity to talk to the aircrew inflight, and listen the crew at work.
22 Squadron RAF turned 100 this years, having been formed on the 1st September 1915. This is also the 70th, and final, year that the Squadron will be providing search and rescue flights in the UK.
With the near end of the Squadron’s flying operations, 22 Squadron RAF B Flight Commander, Squadron Leader Jon Hill, used the opportunity to present to Sandy Squadron with a painting of a Wessex helicopter once flown by the Squadron, and to return a glass painting of both our Squadron crests, which was gifted to them a decade ago.
Flight Lieutenant Brian Storey RAFVR(T), Officer Commanding 22 (Sandy) Squadron, commented, “We’re very grateful to be invited for our cadets to some of the last to fly in the aircraft, and for the presentation of the two pictures, which we look forward to displaying them at our Squadron”.