Page 31 - Cadet Review Autumn 2023

WO KEVIN STEAD -
168 (CITY OF LEEDS) SQUADRON
By Squadron Leader Kirsty Piccavey
Earlier this year I presented WO Stead with his clasp for long service and wanted to get to know him a little bit better. What was behind this OC? I needed to ask a few questions.
WHAT GOT YOU INTERESTED IN BECOMING AN AIR CADET?
“My Grandad who was ex national service. I wasn’t allowed to join until I was 16 years old, My friend Tom Webster introduced me in 1999,
I passed my First Class training 24 September 1999, Leading exams in June 2000 and was promoted to Corporal 1st August 2000. I became a staff cadet on the 12th November 2002 and by 3rd April 2003 I was promoted to Cadet Warrant Officer just before my 20th birthday.
During the initial 3 years of joining 168 Squadron WO Stead attended four Camps; RAF Leuchars, RAF Henlow, RAF Leeming and RAF Honington, completed basic gliding training
at RAF Linton on Ouse and had Air Experience flights at No 12, 5 and 9 AEFs.
WO Stead was part of the first cohort of adult members of staff to go through the Wing’s
new process to become an Adult SNCO being promoted to Sergeant in January 2006 then Flight Sergeant after four years' service
in 2010 and then Warrant Officer after a further four years' service in 2014.
During this time WO Stead was very active at squadron, sector level, being the sector SNCO under Sqn Ldr Blakey and Deputy Wing Warrant Officer for South and West Yorks Wing with Warrant Officer Ady Burbridge.
WHAT DRIVES YOU?
“The thing that has driven me is having very good old school mentors, ex RAF Warrant Officer
Mr. Morrison, Flt Lt
Joe Lee who was a
“Gent” and was the Squadron president.
I have seen them in
their mid-retirement
and I have attended
their funerals and have
pride in having had them
as my mentors, lovely old gents. Mr. Terry Baynes still attends the squadron; he was my Commanding Officer.”
We have had a bumpy start after Covid and I would like to grow the number of cadets as effectively
as I can as I would like it to get fully established
WHAT CHANGES HAVE YOU MADE?
“As OC I had a baptism of fire and have had to build bridges with the community groups. I am proud of 168 squadron and what we have achieved in the community.
The Squadron now has strong links with the Royal British Legion and Royal Society of St George.”
WO Stead has been called upon to be the Parade Marshall for civic parades due to his professionalism and drill instructor skills. 168 Squadron has a long history in the local Leeds area being an Air Defence Cadet Corps unit along with 22F before the Air Training Corps was founded in 1941 and we are proud of that history, and need to continue to be part of the community and build on that history.”
WHAT HOBBIES DO YOU HAVE?
“I am into Air Force History, collecting memorabilia, badges you could say I'm an SME in all old military things. I enjoy Aeromodelling and I have a wider range of diecast miniatures I collect.”
WHATDOYOUDOASAJOBWHENYOUARE NOT VOLUNTEERING AS A CADET FORCES ADULT VOLUNTEER?
“I am an NVQ Level 1 & 2 Carpenter and Joiner. I enjoy working on various projects and really enjoy creating bespoke furniture.”
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?
“This year I am working on the flight Sim we have purchased the turtle beach velocity
1 Rudder pedals and yoke and want to get that up and running.
We have had a bumpy start after Covid and I would like to grow the number of cadets as
effectively as I can as I would like it to get fully established,
I am the custodian of 168 Squadron as OC and
feel responsible for its future.
A Commission
is my next step in my Air Cadet
career”.
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