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23rd January 2007

The Leading Edge

Bedford Squadron is pleased to announce that Cadet Warrant Officer Antoni Otulakowski has won the Wing ‘Best Male Cadet of the Year’ award.

Cadet Warrant Officer Antoni Otulakowski

The prestigious ‘Nolan Cup’ is presented to the best male cadet in Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire Wing, but has never been won before by a member of 134 (Bedford) Squadron.

In order to be selected as the Wing Cadet of the Year, squadrons must forward applications listing the achievements of their successful cadets to their Wing Staff Officer. Once selected to represent their sector, the Wing Commander, the Wing Admin Officer, and the Wing Committee Chairman interview the successful cadets.

CWO Otulakowski was interviewed on Sunday 21st January at RAF Brampton where he was asked questions on his achievements in the Air Training Corps, the organisation and administration of the Air Cadet Organisation, and his responsibilities within the Corps. In addition, he was questioned on the role of the Royal Air Force, what equipment it used to this end, and the current deployments undertaken by the RAF.

In answering the board’s questions, CWO Otulakowski cited wide-ranging highlights from his cadet career, including the completion of the Air Cadet Leadership Course with merit, leading his flight to victory during the Wing Easter Camp, earning his silver Gliding Wings, and attaining a Corps Blue in Cross-country.

He will now go on to represent the Wing in the Regional level of the competition, after which lies the possibility of winning the Dacre Sword, awarded to the best male cadet in the Corps.

After hearing the announcement, CWO Otulakowski commented ‘I am really happy to be selected for this award, especially when there is so much good competition in the wing. I am very grateful to the squadron staff for their years of dedicated training and hard work that have allowed me to be where I am now.’

Bedford Squadron’s Commanding Officer, Flight Lieutenant Mark Robinson said ‘Cadet Warrant Officer Otulakowski should be justifiably proud of this achievement; he thoroughly deserves this success. All the staff wish him well in the next level of competition.’