AWO MYHILL
Squadron Warrant Officer
I Joined the Air Training Corps Organisation in 1989 as a cadet on 129 Squadron. Was promoted through the ranks and became a Cadet Warrant Officer in November of 1996. I Left 129 as a Cadet Warrant Officer in October of 1998 but continued to serve as a Civilian Instructor on the SQN. In 2001 I Became an Adult Warrant Officer at 129.
As a cadet, I represented Kent Wing, London & SE Region ATC in athletics, 1500m, Kent Wing in Rugby and cross-country.
I attended overseas camps in Cyprus and America.
It is painful to say I have completed the Nijmegen Marches three times, (100 mile march in 4 days).
I was also Trumpet Section leader of the Sqn and Wing band's clocking up over 101 public band displays one of which was down the Mall in London, another few in France and a ceremonial wreath laying duty in Arnhem Holland.
I also achieved RAF Marksman standard on the L98A1 rifle and .22 rifles, Firing over 1000 rounds as a cadet and representing the SQN in competitions.
I have visited around 25 RAF stations and logged around 35 flying hours as a cadet, flying in Chipmunk's, Bulldog's, Sea king's, Wessex, Puma, Chinook, Tri-star, 757, Airbus, Virgin 747 twice (Tinkerbell & Spirit of Sir Freddy) and DC3.
I went to St James' Palace to receive the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, something no other cadet from 129 has achieved since, but I'm working on that!
As a cadet I enjoyed the Llanbedr adventure training camps which is where I got my interest in the outdoors, taking part in activities such as rock climbing, abseiling, hill walking, mountaineering, Mountain biking, canoeing, and caving/mining.
I now get as much enjoyment out of being a member of staff on 129 as I did as a cadet!
Never let it be said being an Air Cadet is boring!
When squadron duties permit, I work for BT as a Telephone/Broadband engineer which is where I have been for the last 10 years, I applied to join the RAF in 2001 as a weapons systems operator but could not bring myself to leave the 'best of both worlds' Civilian life and Squadron.
ATC Courses Attended/Qualifications
Warrant Officers Training Course, First Aid At Work, Adventure Training Supervisors Course, Basic Expedition Leaders Award, Food Hygiene, Bronze, Silver & Gold Duke Of Edinburgh Award Holder, competent to BCU Level 4* Inland kayak, BCU 2* Inland Kayak Coach, Mountain Leader trained.
SQN Duties
Dress and Discipline, Drill, Duke of Edinburgh's Award, Security, NCO Training, canteen and keeping the boss on his toes!
All time favourite...
Film : Where Eagles Dare
Car: L200 Warrior
Aircraft: Lancaster
Band: Lost prophets/Green Day/Linkin Park - I could go on...
Sport: Big water boating (Kayaking) and mountain biking!
Outdoors Kit: My Paramo Aspira Smock and my Force 10 Vortex tent, (because if that blows over we've just been nuked!)
Factoids
The very first bomb dropped by the Allies on Berlin during World War II killed the only elephant in the Berlin Zoo.
The dial tone of a normal telephone is in the key of "F".
In England, the Speaker of the House is not allowed to speak.
All of the clocks in the movie "Pulp Fiction" are stuck on 4:20.
The national anthem of Greece has 158 verses. No one in Greece has memorised all 158 verses.
