On Sunday 11th June during the RAF Cosford Air Show, I had the amazing opportunity to spend the day in the VIP tent with many inspirational people within my role as RAF Cosford Station Commander’s Cadet for Air Commodore Mark Hunt OBE BEng(Hons) MA MBA FCMI CEng FRAeS FIMechE RAF, Station Commander RAF Cosford.

It all began with a police escort from the Officers’ Mess to the VIP tent on the crowd line – so you could see the display very clearly!

Below: Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier KCB CBE DFC ADC MA RAF, Chief of the Air Staff and Cadet Flight Sergeant C. Weetman.

During the day, I had the opportunity to meet Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier KCB CBE DFC ADC MA RAF, Chief of the Air Staff; Air Marshal Julian Young CB OBE BSc MA MSc MDA CEng FIET FRAeS HonFAPM RAF, Air Member for Materiel and Chief of Materiel (Air) and many more interesting people. Here, I got to see a side of the RAF that I would have never seen such as being able to see and understand how the structure of the RAF works and the people in charge of each trade group.

Below: Air Marshal Julian Young CB OBE BSc MA MSc MDA CEng FIET FRAeS HonFAPM RAF, Air Member for Materiel and Chief of Materiel (Air) and Cadet Flight Sergeant C. Weetman.

At about midday, we were all invited to sit down for a four course meal. As you can imagine, this was slightly better than an expensive burger. We had a starter consisting of pâte and very nice bread, the main course had a variety of meats and salad. And after watching the RAF Red Arrows display, we had a variety of desserts; lemon meringue, fruit tart and a salted caramel tart. The meal was then topped off with a cheese board.

Below: Cadet Flight Sergeant C. Weetman and Brigadier Richard Bennett.

Finally, I, Warrant Officer Stokes RAF, Station Warrant Officer RAF Cosford; Air Commodore Mark Hunt; Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier and many more high ranking officers travelled to the Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) hanger for an opportunity to look around the exhibitions and then the static aircraft outside.

The day then ended by travelling back to the Officers’ Mess for refreshments.

I was also able to meet Air Commodore Mark Hunt’s successor Group Captain Tone Baker OBE who took over as Station Commander RAF Cosford on Thursday 15th June. Air Commodore Mark Hunt has been appointed Director Ground Training (RAF) and Senior Air Staff Officer, Headquarters No 22 (Training) Group.

This was a very enjoyable day where I learned a lot about different trusts within the RAF, as well as how the RAF works and how it works in conjunction with the Army and Navy, as well as oversea Armed Forces.

By Cadet Flight Sergeant C. Weetman