RAF Honington near Thetford celebrates as trainee gunners graduate
Members of a trainee gunner course are celebrating after graduating and joining the RAF Regiment.
The 25 members of the Trainee Gunner Course 5-22, El Alamein Flight graduated on Thursday at RAF Honington, near Thetford.
At the ceremony there was music from the band of the RAF College as the King’s Colour for the RAF Regiment was also paraded.
Squadron Commanders and Warrant Officers from receiving RAF Regiment Units also met the new arrivals and their families after the event.
Officer Commanding Combat and Readiness Force Group Captain Jules Weekes was appointed as the Reviewing Officer and congratulated the new recruits on their future roles within the RAF Regiment.
On graduating from this course, the gunners are posted to either 1 Squadron RAF Regt at RAF Honington, 2 Squadron RAF Regt at RAF Brize Norton, 15 Squadron RAF Regt at RAF Marham, 34 Squadron RAF Regt at RAF Leeming, 51 Squadron RAF Regt at RAF Lossiemouth, or Queens Colour Squadron (63 Squadron RAF Regt) at RAF Northolt.
They will be trained to such a level that they can immediately commence Mission Specific Training for contingency operations.
Awards were also given out to:
AS2 Hutchinson who received the Frank Sylvester Trophy.
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.
AS2 Liu who was awarded the RAF Regt Association Trophy for Drill and Deportment. 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, during field exercises.
AS2 Wilk who received the WO Ramsey Physical Development Cup, given to those who achieved the greatest improvement during the physical development course.
AS2 Bruce who was awarded the LAC Beard Recruits’ Trophy. 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.
AS2 Herridge received the SAC Luders Champion Shot Trophy, given to the gunner who has shot consistently well throughout the course. He is also 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 is the one who has demonstrated consistently a high standard of weapon handling and safety awareness throughout the course.
Cpl Suffolk received the Cpl Bradfield Trophy. The Corporal Bradfield Trophy preserves the example of the past, embodied by Corporal Bradfield in the standards set by the JNCOs 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.
