The four cadets with Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier
Four members of the RAF Air Cadets were proud to attended the official Launch of RAF 100 including a Central & East Region cadet and a Combined Cadet Forces (RAF Section) Cadet from Louth in Lincolnshire.
On 29th November 2017 there was a Reception at the Speakers House, Houses of Parliament, Westminster, to commemorate the Centenary of the Air Force Constitution Act 1917.
This event marked the launch RAF 100, the year of special events to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Royal Air Force. The event was attended by representatives of all branches of the RAF family, from all ranks, roles, trades and RAF Stations across the country.
The event was hosted by James Gray MP, and in attendance was the newly appointed Minister for Defence, Gavin Williamson MP, and the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier, along with several other high ranking RAF Personnel.
The Event concluded with an Arms Drill Display from the QCS (Queens Colour Sqn) and a performance by the RAF Regiment Band)
Four members of the RAF Air Cadets were invited to attend as ambassadors for the organisation.
“The three cadets and I were fortunate enough to have the opportunity of engaging with the Minister for Defence, and the Chief of the Air Staff and all the other guests including MPs, business leaders and RAF Personnel who were all very interested in getting to know what we do in the RAFAC and what experiences we had had. Most notably we spoke to Air Marshall Stuart Atha, Deputy Commander Operations, who spoke to us in depth about our careers and experiences in the organisation”, said Sergeant Ben Ellis from 104 (City of Cambridge) Squadron, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire Wing. Ben, aged 20, was a Dacre Sword Runner Up 2017.
The other cadets were Cadet Warrant Officer Matthew Childs (Dacre Sword 3rd Place 2017) aged 19, from 295 (Witham & Rivenhall) Squadron, Essex Wing, Cadet Warrant Officer Cameron McEleney (Dacre Sword Winner 2017), (19), of 122 (Maryhill) Squadron, West Scotland Wing and 18 year old Cadet Warrant Officer Annie Cleeve who was judged the top Combined Cadet Force (CCF) Cadet Winner 2017. Annie is from King Edward VI Grammar School, Louth, CCF.