Air Cadets gain awards at RAF Shawbury

Cadet Warrant Officer Paul Hammond has received the Shropshire Chamber of Commerce Business Awards Best Cadet award for 2013 whilst Cadet Stephanie Whitehead has received a special Station Commander RAF Shawbury award.

Cadet WO Hammond is the Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire and Station Commander RAF Shawbury Air Cadet for 2013, an honour awarded to him earlier in the year, which allows him to accompany the Lord Lieutenant or Station Commander at special events across the county. The RAF Shawbury award is presented to the cadet considered to be the best in all cadet Squadrons in North Shropshire. Paul was nominated for the Chamber of Commerce award by Group Captain Chris Luck, for his outstanding efforts for his Squadron, No 24 Market Drayton Air Cadets, and for the Air Cadet organisation. Paul was commended for his sporting prowess, Duke of Edinburgh award work and community efforts, in addition to his mentoring of younger cadets and charity work. Paul was originally presented with his award at the Shropshire Business Awards at the Telford International Centre by Brigadier Gerhard Berger, Commanding Officer of 143 Brigade, but was re-presented at the Shawbury event to allow other personnel to attend.

Cadet Stephanie Whitehead was presented with a special Station Commander’s Commendation for her efforts in assisting at a road traffic accident. Cadet Whitehead is a cadet with No 28 (Shawbury) Squadron and assisted in a road traffic accident whilst en-route to a cadet evening with her father Pete. Stpeh’s mum, Louise, let the Squadron Officer Commanding, Flight Lieutenant Steve De Asha know the reason why her daughter was late and showed how proud she was. Louise told how Steph and husband Pete were the first people on the scene of a traffic accident between Clive and Grinshill. A small vehicle with 4 teenagers inside had rolled sideways down the road. Steph was in Cadet uniform and got out to assist with injuries. The two girls in the back were very distressed and Steph talked to them as well as helping the front seat passenger to keep his hand above his head to stop the bleeding. When the police arrived they applauded Steph for her calmness and took her name and base as well as asking who her Cadet Officer was. He told her she had behaved in an exemplary manner. The two girls were pupils at Thomas Adams School, in Wem, and the driver had a broken shoulder and the passenger who Steph had helped, tore his hand and grazed away most of his skin exposing the bone. In recognition of her exemplary efforts, Steph was awarded the Station Commander’s Award as well as a voucher for £25.

The pair received their awards at a special ceremony held in the Officers’ Mess at the unit on Wednesday 18 June. The awards were presented by Air Vice Marshal Mike Lloyd CB RAF, the Air Officer Commanding No 22 (Training) Group, as part of his Annual Formal Inspection to the unit.