Flight Lieutenant Tim Blackwell RAFVR(T)
Commanding Officer
I joined the Air Training Corps (ATC) in the autumn of 1987, progressing to the rank of Cadet Warrant Officer on 12 October 1993 - my entire cadet career was spent with 129 (Tunbridge Wells) Squadron.
During my service with the air cadet organization, I have flown in the following aircraft:
Gliders: Grob Viking
Fixed Wing Aircraft: BAE 125, Chipmunk, Hercules, Tutor and VC10
Helicopters: Gazelle, Iroquois (Canadian Huey) , Puma, Sea King, and Wessex
I completed my first solo glider flight on the 6 June 1993, in a Grob Viking, with 617 Volunteer Gliding School, RAF Manston.
I was a member of the Squadron Band, starting on the snare drum, then moved on to the bass drum, before becoming the Drum Major. On two occasions as the Drum Major, I led the band on parades in France. My competency as the Squadron Drum Major led to me becoming the Drum Major of the Kent Wing Band. Whilst holding this significant appointment, I led the Kent Wing Band through the streets of London on three very momentous National Parades.
I completed the Nijmegen 4 day Marches in Holland as a Cadet four times. I was selected to be a member of the Kent Wing Cadet Team in 1990, 1991, 1992 and completed the 100 mile walk on each occasion. I then entered as an individual walker in 1993 and completed the 125 mile route for adult walkers. I undertook and completed four 2 Day RAF WARMA Marches, as part of the preparation required to undertake the Nijmegen Marches.
I competed in several sporting events representing the Squadron. I was awarded Wing Blue's for representing Kent in Rugby, Rugby 7's and Shooting. I achieved the highest individual score in the 1993 Kent Wing Full-bore Shooting Competition. A year later, I was the Captain of the Squadron Shooting Team which won the prestigious Kabritt Cup. Both competitions were shot using the L98A1 Cadet General Purpose Rifle .
One of the many opportunities offered to Cadets in the ATC is to attend one of the National Air Cadet Adventure Training Centres at Llanbedr, Wales and at Windermere in the Lake District. As a Cadet, I attended several courses at both of these locations.
The highlight of my cadet service was being selected as the 1993 male representative from Kent Wing to participate in the International Air Cadet Exchange. I spent two weeks in Canada and the USA being treated as a VIP. I visited Toronto, Banff, Jasper, Edmonton and the Canadian Forces Bases in the province of Alberta, before travelling to Washington. I also visited Calgary and was crazy enough to use the down hill ice track built for the 1988 Winter Olympics using the Luge. This was the definitely the scariest activity I have ever tried.. so far!
On the 17 July 1995, I was commissioned as a Pilot Officer into the Volunteer Branch of the Royal Air Force and was posted to 2520 (Tonbridge) Squadron. On my promotion to Flying Officer in 1997, I was transferred to 2374 (Ditton) Squadron.
In August 2000, I was given the great honour and privilege of becoming the Commanding Officer of 129 (Tunbridge Wells) Squadron and was promoted to the rank of Flight Lieutenant.
My greatest personal achievement to date was winning the British Armed Forces Inter-Service Shooting Championships in 2004. For 12 months, I could proudly claim to be (at that time) the best small-bore, long range marksman serving in the British Military Forces.
I have attended Annual Camps at the following Royal Air Force stations:
RAF Akrotiri (Cyprus)
RAF College Cranwell (Camp 2000)
RAF Coltishall
RAF Coningsby
RAF Cosford
RAF Gibraltar
|
RAF Linton-on-Ouse
RAF Locking
RAF Manston
RAF Northolt
RAF St Athan |
I have visited the following Royal Air Force Stations:
RAF Abingdon
RAF Benson
RAF Biggin Hill
RAF Brize Norton
RAF Colerne
RAF Donna Nook
RAF Fairford
RAF Kenley
RAF Lakenheath
RAF Lossiemouth
RAF Mildenhall
RAF Neatishead
|
RAF Newton
RAF Odiham
RAF Scampton
RAF Shawbury
RAF Swanton Morley
RAF Uxbridge
RAF Valley
RAF Waddington
RAF Wittering
RAF Wyton
VGS West Malling |
Courses/Qualifications
- Basic Adult Staff Instructors Course
- RAFVR (T) Initial Officers Course
- RAFVR (T) Officers Senior Course
- First Aid At Work Training Course
- Kent Wing Basic Adventure Training Supervisors Course
- British Canoe Union 2* Test
- Basic Expedition Leaders Award
- Mountain Leader Award (Summer) Training Course
- Army Obstacle Course Supervisor Course
- National Rifle Association Club Instructor
- Range Management Qualification [Cadets] Short Range
Awards
- ATC Certificate of Good Service 1995
- Queens's Jubilee Medal 2002
- Wilkinson Sword - Inter-Service Shooting Champion 2004
- Cadet Forces Medal 2004
