Carol Vorderman visits RAF Shawbury

The former Countdown Presenter became an Honorary Ambassador of the Air Cadets in November 2014 and has been using her legendary mathematics skills and enthusiasm for engineering to inspire the latest generation of air cadets and young people.

Gp Capt Vorderman was accompanied by two cadets, Cadet Warrant Officers (CWO) James Eardley from Shrewsbury and Hope Millar from Newport. They were welcomed to the base by the Station Commander, Group Captain Jason Appleton.

The aim of the visit was to demonstrate the world-leading training delivered at RAF Shawbury and to promote the training and opportunities that young people can experience through the Air Cadet Organisation.

After being kitted out by the Safety Equipment Section, the cadets were shown the Squirrel Part - Task Training Simulator where they were able to try hovering in a virtual reality environment. This was excellent preparation for the next event in the programme which was a flight in a Griffin helicopter. The crew was able to explain how low level flying training is delivered within Shropshire and the surrounding counties and the importance of the fields and clearings that are provided by local landowners and farmers.

After a lovely lunch in the Officers’ Mess, Group Captain Vorderman was invited to rename the School of Air Operations Control (SAOC). The School was previously known as the Central Air Traffic Control School (CATCS) and has been providing training at RAF Shawbury since 1950, initially under the guise of the Central Navigation and Control School. It was re-named CATCS when navigation training was moved to RAF Manby in 1963. The School not only trains Air Traffic Controllers for both the RAF and the Royal Navy but has also trained Flight Operations Assistants since the end of WWII and Flight Operations Officers since the creation of this branch in 1997.

Whilst at the School, Gp Capt Vorderman and the cadets were also invited to try a talk down; a keen pilot herself, this was the first time that Gp Capt Vorderman had seen a talk down from the controller’s perspective. The group also visited the Visual Simulator which delivers training in Visual Control on the airfield using virtual reality simulation. The cadets remained calm as they controlled a practice emergency scenario.

CWO Hope Millar, 265 Chetwynd Squadron said: “Today has been one of the highlights of my cadet career. I’ve flown in a Griffin, I’ve gone behind the scenes of how the RAF works and what it is all about. Opportunities like this are a once in a life time experience and I have the air cadets to thank for today and everything that I have done.”

CWO James Eardley from 1119 Shrewsbury Squadron added: “A brilliant day at RAF Shawbury which marks the end of my time as Shawbury’s Station Commander’s’ Cadet perfectly. This is another experience that the air cadets have given me that I wouldn’t have had anywhere else.”

After a visit to the Community Centre and a welcome cup of coffee at the Aries Club, it was time to say goodbye.

Gp Capt Vorderman said: "This has been a golden day and a wonderful opportunity for me to experience the training both at the Defence Helicopter Flying School and the School of Air Operations Control. Visits like this are invaluable and show the cadets the opportunities that are available to them in the RAF. It’s been a great day. Thank you RAF Shawbury!”