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12 December 2004

The Theme? Success. The Location? Chicksands. The Event? 134 Sqn’s Awards Evening

The annual 134 (Bedford) Squadron awards evening was held on Thursday 9th December 2004 at the Defence Intelligence Security Centre Chicksands, Bedfordshire. The evening, which has become the main event of the winter season, lived up to its reputation which has evolved over the last 3 years, with a mixture of live demonstrations, sketches and presentations.

The theme for this year was ‘Success’ to reflect the squadron’s outstanding achievements over the last 12 months. Guest of honour was Group Captain Gimblett RAF, Chief of Staff at DISC who was attending his third and final squadron awards evening before he leaves Chicksands during 2005.

The evening was divided into two halves, with the first half being handed over to the cadets to demonstrate some of the activities they have been involved in. First up was a display of continuity drill set to the music of the RAF March. The display was performed by the squadron drill team; who this year won the wing drill competition and represented Bedfordshire & Cambridgeshire at regional level. 

Corporal Otulakowski had put together a spoof Panorama documentary video about the activities that happen behind the closed gates of Bedford. Comedy sketches about Easter greens camp and Folkestone training weekend also brought much humour to the event. The Squadron entry into Augusts Red Bull Soap Box Race was featured with a video presentation about the build up and the race itself followed by the actual car appearing on stage. 

The guests were also given an insight into what it’s like for probationary cadets at Bedford with Corporal Every performing an excellent take off of an Adult Warrant Officer churning new recruits from his Warrant Officer-O-Matic machine. Mr Cirin, the squadron training officer rounded off the first half with a presentation of all the staff at the squadron. He explained both their ATC/Military history, roles within the squadron and a description of their full time employment.

The second half saw a speech from Flt Lt Darren Harbar, the Commanding Officer, who thanked all those who had helped to make 2004 so good and outlined the plans for next year, this was followed by the a showing of the Squadron PR video which was judged to best at wing level and placed second regionally. 

One of the first surprises for the cadets was a satellite uplink. This allowed a RAF Regiment service helper who is serving in Basra could deliver his congratulations to the squadron for all their efforts over the past 12 months. Some people suspected that all was not as it appeared and that it was actually a bit of TV trickery, I guess we’ll never know!

Next the guests where shown a presentation set to the theme tune of the London Marathon, this showcased all the trophies and awards that both the squadron as a whole and individual members both staff and cadets had won throughout 2004. These mainly consisted of wing and region medals but also included the 7 Bedfordshire & Cambridgeshire Wing trophies that the unit claimed in 2004. 

Following a speech by civilian committee chairman, Mr Andy Croft, the moment that all of the cadets had been waiting for arrived; the awards ceremony. Commendations where presented to CWO Croft, Sgt Butler, Cpl Otulakowski, Cdt Denham and Cdt Gilbert for their outstanding contributions to the squadron. The academic award went to Cpl Every. Sgt Russell picked up the shooting cup and also went on to collect the CO’s Shield later on. The Sports shield was presented to Cdt Bezedienout, and Cdt Malyon won the award for Best Recruit. The aircraft modelling trophy was awarded to Cdt Pickering. The Squadron presented AWO Taylor and AWO Browne with a framed selection of memorabilia from the Red Bull Soap Box Race in recognition for their contribution to the squadron. AWO Taylor was also recognised for his efforts in obtaining additional flying opportunities for ATC cadets over a 10-year period and was presented with a flight in a Royal Navy Hawk jet trainer. 

The final award to be present was that of Cadet of the Year, which traditionally on the squadron has a flying experience attached. This year was no exception, the Cadet of the Year for 2004 was presented to Cpl Alex Scully, and his flying experience was a flight in a Tornado F3 of the Fast Jet Weapons OEU at RAF Coningsby.

Gp Capt Gimblett, Wg Cdr Bower and the other VIP guests all commented on the professionalism of the event and effort that all had put into rounding off such a fantastic year.