Page 32 - Cadet Review Spring 2021

SWY Wing ATC
RETIREMENT OF SQUADRON LEADER ANDY BLAIKIE
Sqn Ldr Andy Blaikie has recently retired from the Air Cadets after almost 53 years of service as man and boy.
He joined 2458 Shipley Sqn as a boy in September of 1968 and quickly moved through the classifica- tions and by Feb 1972 was one of the first to pass the new classification of Staff Cadet. Likewise, he rapidly moved through the ranks being appointed as a Cadet Warrant Officer in December 1973.
Andy was Commissioned in Feb 1977 and readily moved around Squadrons in Shipley and Batley before assuming command of 2490 Spen Valley in Aug 1979.
By the early part of 1987, Andy was asked to
join Wing Staff as the Sports Officer in addition
to fulfilling a role similar to that of our Sector Commanders. By 1991 Andy was promoted to Sqn Ldr and fulfilled a number of roles including Staffing and Personnel; and Deputy Wing Commander.
Upon merger of the two wings in 1999 he continued in the role of Deputy Wing Commander before becoming a Sector Commander. In the last 2 years, Andy returned to 208 (North Leeds) Sqn as Squadron Commander. Andy also stepped back in to the breach as acting Sector Commander until his retirement on 4th Dec 2020.
The Wing Officer Commanding, Wing Commander Brian Daniel said, "It has been a privilege to work with Andy for a number of years and he has had
an exemplary and outstanding uniformed service with us. We wish him all the best in his retirement and look forward to formally dining him out when circumstances allow."
Andy’s son, Alex, added: "After nearly 53 years of service with the ATC, my Dad, Squadron Leader Andy Blaikie, hung up his peaked cap and took off his rank slides for the last time. Very sad to see him leave
the organisation but all good things must come to
It has been
a privilege
to work with Andy for a number of years and he has had an exemplary and outstanding uniformed service with us
an end. Thousands of cadets and staff will have had the privilege of working with him and I know there will be many fond memories of his service. Dad became a cadet aged 13 at 2458 Shipley & Baildon Sqn in 1968 (where I would later officially follow him into the organisation) where he rose to the rank of Cadet Warrant Officer. Commissioned in the RAF VR(T) in 1977, Pilot Officer Andy Blaikie quickly rose to Squadron Commander of 2490 Spen Valley in from 1979 to 1987 where he moved up to Wing Staff. In 1991, just after I was born, he gained his long-stand- ing rank of Squadron Leader, undertaking a number of roles and positions. Sports Officer, Deputy Wing Commander, Staff Personnel & Development, Red Group Leader and Sector Commander to name but
a few.
He helped amalgamate the South and West Riding
of Yorkshire into S&W Yorkshire Wing. Stepping back down to become the Squadron Commander of 208 North Leeds Squadron a couple of years ago, he
has served the Squadron until his retirement. He has represented the ATC countless times in news broadcast interviews, as part of the IACE (Interna- tional Air Cadet Exchange), bearing the banner at
a Festival of Remembrance at the Albert Hall and many functions and events.
It was hard to go anywhere in my early years of the RAFAC without most people knowing my name because of my father and always the kindest words were said about him. A true gentleman who was the model Officer, calm and collective in a crisis and passionate about an incredible youth organisation.
I would often get "Oh you're Andy Blaikie's son! I've a lot of time for your dad." Dad always has a story to tell from the RAFAC and is a fountain of knowledge and a man with sound advice. I know I'm not the only one who has asked him for help in a difficult situation and he was always happy to assist in any way or offer solutions or guide a plan of action. Thanks to Squadron Leader Andy Blaikie for your many years of selfless service, being an exemplary Officer and role model to all and someone I'm very proud to call my Dad!"
32 CADET REVIEW SPRING 2021