The second Qualified Aerospace Instructors Course (QAIC 2) graduated at RAF Linton-on-Ouse recently and saw another 23 students from across all six regions of the Air Cadets gain their certificates and patches. QAIC 1 which graduated in 2009 was a North Region only course but this year the course was open to all cadets from across the UK. With cadets from Dundee to Dorset attending, six months of hard work came to an end with a series of syndicate presentations and a glittering graduation dinner held in the officers’ mess.
QAIC began in September 2009 with a selection weekend and then a series of training weekends held at the North Region Activity Centres. In between weekend courses the students also had to complete a series of tasks in their own time and accessing the QAIC SharePoint server, we able to work together as team members no matter where they were located in the country.
The course is very academically demanding and requires a huge level of commitment as well as organisation skills to juggle course work with school and college studies. Cadet ranks are set aside during the programme and each student is given a call-sign or nickname which is used the training and events. Standard uniform for the course is a flight suit with course patches and as worn during actual flight exercises supported by 642 VGS, co-located at RAF Linton on Ouse.
The final part of the course was a week long graduation camp at RAF Linton-on-Ouse culminating in a series if daunting syndicate presentations in front of some very high profile guests. During the graduation week, visits were made to RAF Waddington, home to RAF Air Command surveillance and reconnaissance assets, to see the RAF air defence capabilities and to be personally briefed by the station commander, Group Captain Richard Powell. Also the cadets visited BAe Systems and Wharton and had a top level tour of the facilities and the production of the Eurofighter Typhoon.
In addition the cadets were expected to complete a series of command tasks, leadership training, study air traffic control, become familiar with light simulators and other forms of synthetic training, complete an essay on air power as well as research and complete a challenging 40 minute presentation on a range of air related topics and then be prepared to answer a series of probing questions from a high ranking audience.
The syndicate presentations took place is Cheshire Hall lecture theatre with each group having researched, prepared and practiced for the day. Within the audience were all six Regional Commandants, Air Cadets Chief Of Staff, Station Commander RAF Waddington, two Air Commodores, two Air Vice Marshals and an Air Marshal, a reflection of the high regard in which the QAIC course is held.
Subjects included the capability of the F35, the contribution of stealth technology, how UAV’s compliment current and future operations, air operations in an asymmetric environment, the supporting role of space operations and the role of synthetic training. Each syndicate had to research their given subject and then develop and deliver a full presentation to the audience which is a very daunting prospect when the audience is so knowledgeable.
Having completed the presentations, the course certificates were handed out by Air Vice Marshal Simon Bollom, the MOD Director General Combat Air who was the guest of honour for the day. All the graduating cadets received the QAIC 2 Certificate and patch.
The conclusion of the course was the formal Graduation Dinner held in the Officers Mess at RAF Linton on Ouse. Once again the mess staff pulled out all the stops to make this a truly memorable event for the graduating cadets and staff. Having enjoyed the process of a formal dining in event the final awards were made.
The BAe Systems award for the best Air Power Essay went to Cadet Flight Sergeant Gareth (Batters) Ballinger, 2722 (Chepstow) Squadron, No1 Welsh Wing.
The most improved student was Cadet Flight Sergeant Andrew (Yorkie) Dale from 300 (Axholme) Squadron, S&W York’s Wing.
The top Syndicate was “Sentry” Syndicate who gave their presentation on the role of space operations in support of joint force operations and finally the top student award went to Cadet Sergeant Christopher (Shortie) Webber of 5F (Northampton) Squadron, S&E Midlands Wing.
Addressing the assembly, Air Vice Marshal Bollom said “It’s a genuine privilege to be here with you all today. I know how busy you all are at school and college so to make this commitment and achieve what you have is truly exceptional” He went on to add that the skills, knowledge and experience gained from the whole course would stand the cadets in good stead throughout their lives as either future members of the Royal Air Force or within further education, business and industry.
Replying on behalf of the course, Cadet Warrant Officer Andrew (Harry) Monk, 85 (Enfield & Southgate) Squadron, Middlesex Wing said “This has been an excellent course with so many opportunities which mean we can now add value back into the Air Cadet Organisation. The directing staff have been second to none and given so much to us for which we are truly grateful.” He also gave thanks on behalf of the students to RAF Linton on Ouse, in particular the Air Traffic Control Staff and 642 VGS, RAF Waddington BAe Wharton, for all the support shown by the wider Royal Air Force and AVM Bollom.
Selection for QAIC 3 starts in September 2010 for graduation in 2011 so watch this space for details.
