Cadets and staff from No.2 Overseas (Gibraltar) Squadron where on parade on Thursday evening for their Annual Formal Inspection by Wing Commander David Miller.
The evening got off to a late start due to two C130 Hercules aircraft landing, which the cadets and their parents got to see close up before the parade got under way outside the Squadron Headquarters at South Dispersal.
“The cadets where immaculately turnout” said Wing Commander Miller, OC Norfolk and Suffolk Wing “and I was very impressed by the parade and march past.”
Flt Lt Ivan Caward, Officer Commanding of No 2 Gibraltar Squadron, added “the Squadron, its staff and cadets is inspected twice a year by our Wing Headquarters in Norwich, with the September Inspection being the formal inspection. This year’s inspection was definitely different with the Hercules aircraft arriving and departing”.
Escorting the Wing Commander was Squadron Leader Nathan Wilks, Deputy Regional Commandant. “This has been my first visit to Gibraltar, and I hope it won’t be my last!” he said “It good to see the squadron being so well supported by the parents, civilian committee and the station staff. Even though they are located in Gibraltar the squadron offers nearly everything that a UK based squadron does, and it’s great to see!”
On Saturday the Wing Commander joined the cadets on the range at Buffadero Training Area where newly qualified cadets got to fire L98 A2 Cadet GP Riffle for the first time. “After weeks of training on the rifle, learning about safety and how to strip and clean and passing a weapons handling test it was good to finally fire the weapon” added Cadet Drury “not only that, but I also manage to hit the target with every round!”
Wing Commander Miller said “It has been a very good day on the range, the cadets clearly know what they are doing and they also had to the opportunity to complete Heartstart training while not firing, and to round up my visit I had the pleasure of promoting Cadets Sergeant Rachel Bees to Flight Sergeant.”