Congratulations go to the 15 members of Trainee Gunner Course 5-21, El Alamein Flight; the newest members of the RAF Regiment to have graduated here at RAF Honington today.
Each graduate is welcomed into a family which is constituted a Corps, styled a Regiment, and truly dedicated to the delivery of Force Protection to RAF assets on a global scale.
On the hottest day of the year so far the new graduates were joined by loved ones on the Parade Square. Squadron Commanders and Warrant Officers from RAF Regiment Units receiving the new Gunners also met and welcomed new arrivals and their families after the event. They are on hand to answer any questions that the graduates or families might have before they arrive at their new Squadrons.
Reviewing Officer Air Vice-Marshal Harvey Smyth OBE, DFC, MA, RAF, the UK’s Director Space, congratulated the new recruits on their future roles within the RAF Regiment. Air Vice-Marshal Smyth leads the Space Directorate in the Ministry of Defence and is responsible for defence space strategy, policy, capability planning and cross-Government and International coherency.
On graduating from this course, the Aviator ‘Gunners’ will be trained to such a level that they can immediately commence Mission Specific Training for contingency operations. They will be posted to either:
- 1 Squadron RAF Regiment - RAF Honington
- 2 Squadron RAF Regiment - RAF Brize Norton
- 15 Squadron RAF Regiment - RAF Marham
- 34 Squadron RAF Regiment - RAF Leeming
- 51 Squadron RAF Regiment - RAF Lossiemouth
- Queens Colour Squadron / 63 Squadron RAF Regiment - RAF Northolt
Further congratulations go to the Prize Winners:
Frank Sylvester Trophy
- LAC Woodward
To commemorate her late husband’s dedication to the Corps and in particular to the training of young Gunners, his widow presented the Frank Silvester Trophy for award to the best all-round Trainee Gunner of each course.
The RAF Regiment Association Trophy for Drill and Deportment
- LAC Chalmers
This award is made to the Trainee Gunner who has developed an excellent military deportment, assessed both on and off duty, on the parade square and, most importantly during field exercises
Warrant Officer Ramsey Physical Development Cup
- LAC Vickery
This prize is awarded to the Trainee Gunner who achieves the greatest improvement during the physical development course.
LAC Beard Recruits’ Trophy
- LAC Swain
This trophy is awarded to the Gunner who has been voted by his peers on the Course as the most inspirational and supportive member of the Flight. The recipient of this trophy has provided loyalty, dependability and motivation to those around him during the toughest moments of the training
SAC Luders Champion Shot Trophy
- LAC Woodward
This prize is awarded to the Trainee Gunner who has shot consistently well throughout the course. He would also be the student who has shown consistent military awareness, on battle and field-firing exercises, in the selection of his shooting positions and use of cover. He would also be one who has demonstrated consistently a high standard of weapon handling and safety awareness throughout the course
Corporal Bradfield Trophy
- Corporal Garwood
The Corporal Bradfield Trophy preserves the example of the past embodied by Corporal Bradfield, in the standards set by the Junior Non-Commissioned Officers of today. It is awarded to the Corporal Instructor who has displayed leadership, motivation and above all else has set an exemplary standard for the recruits to follow.
