500 Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Cadets were on parade last weekend to be inspected by their Commandant from RAF Cranwell, Air Commodore Ian Stewart RAF.

After six months of careful planning the cadets and volunteer staff from all over Hampshire and the Isle of Wight assembled at their parent station, Royal Air Force Odiham,  for their 6 yearly review.    Local dignitaries joined the Station Commander, Group Captain Andrew Turner in welcoming the cadets to the station.    The thrill of a low level, high speed flypast by the Royal Air Force Aerobatics Team, the Red Arrows, started the parade as Air Commodore Stewart took the salute.   

The Central Band of the Royal Air Force was on parade and provided the pomp and ceremony for the day.     The formal inspection of the cadets took place in the afternoon followed by presentations of commendations where  Wing Chairman, Mr Geoffrey Hooper and retired  staff officer,  Squadron Leader Dudley Howard RAFVR(T) Ret’d, were given Defence Council Letters of Appreciation for their service to the Air Training Corps.

Air Commodore Stewart commented on how impressed he was with the turnout of the cadets and staff and complimented their commanding officer, Wing Commander Tony Clavell RAFVR(T),  on the standard of their drill and discipline.  One young cadet commented “this was a tremendous day!  This was my first big parade and we had our own flypast and a chance to see an RAF Station close up.  I don’t think I’ll forget it.”

Wing Review Video Longer Cut HD from Tom Blount on Vimeo.

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