Page 18 - Cadet Review Autumn 2021

SWY Wing ATC
ROYAL AIR FORCE
PIPES AND DRUMS
By Warrant Officer Bob Mackay, 558 (Finningley) Sqaudron
The RAF Pipes and Drums carried out Beat Retreat for Her Majesty the Queen and members of the Royal Family
in Her Majesty’s private grounds of Balmoral Castle on 11 Aug 21. The event commemorated the presentation of the RAF Sovereign’s Banner to the band and the premiere of a musical piece written for Her Majesty. The RAF Pipes and Drums had been authorised to carry out the official engagement event, Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston, Lady Wigston, Air Vice Marshal Simon Edwards, Mrs Becki Edwards and Air Vice Marshal Ross Paterson and specially invited guests were also in attendance.
The RAF Pipes and Drums draw personnel from various units such as RAF Benson, RAF Digby, RAF Halton, RAF Lossiemouth, RAF Waddington and RAF Central Scotland Pipe Band to name but a few. To ensure the all personnel were up to speed and ready to carry out this engagement, music scores were sent out to participating personnel about 3 months in advance to give them time to learn and memorise the tunes prior to rehearsals at Leuchars Station.
RAF Pipes and Drums personnel arrived at Leuchars on 6 Aug 21 and rehearsals
started in earnest
throughout the
weekend of 7- 8 Aug
21 and included two
full timed Dress Rehearsals on 8 Aug 21. The remaining two days were taken up with kit preparation and fine tuning to ensure everything ran like clockwork for the performance on the day.
The big day arrived and the RAF Pipes and Drums are transported to Balmoral Castle for the ceremony in busses, a two-hour journey at the best of times. Once there we finished off putting on our full ceremonial uniform, the Pipe Major and Drum Major carried out a recce of the area we would be marching to and performing, a quick chat with the Queen’s Sovereign Piper to ensure everything was in order prior to march on. Final tune up and a 3-minute brief follows then we formed up and marched on at exactly 16:05hrs for a 25-minute performance.
After the performance the VIPs and
the band all gathered for refreshments in the castle visitor restaurant, which was a chance for the band to get some feedback on our first high profile performance since the start of Covid in March 2020. A final thank you from ACM Wigston about
the band’s performance and his hopes
for future high profile and ceremonial events for the band. Shortly after our busses arrive, we loaded up with kit and personnel and headed back down the road to Leuchars.
Overall, a fantastic job to be part of
and great to meet up with fellow band mates old and new. RAF Pipes and Drums continue to perform to the highest standards and it was fantastic to see 2
ex cadets who have recently joined the RAF and gone from the RAFAC Pipes
and Drums to the RAF Pipes and Drums. Hopefully we will see more cadets fill the ranks of the RAF Pipes and Drums after joining the RAF.
Lord Mayor’s Cadet for Bradford appointed
Flight Sergeant Aisha Mohammed, 19, was appointed and received her Lord Mayor’s Cadet badge on Tuesday, August 31, at City Hall, Bradford.
FS Mohammed joined the Air Cadets in 2019 at the age of 17. Since joining,
FS Mohammed has risen through the ranks quickly and effectively due to her leadership and problem-solving skills. Most importantly is her “can do” attitude.
The Lord Mayor of Bradford,
Councillor Shabir Hussain, said: “I was very impressed with Flight Sergeant Mohammed and her dedication to the
RAF Air Cadets; and everything she has achieved. I am sure she will display the very best of Bradford when she carries out her role with pride.”
Warrant Officer Daniel Rouse, who commands 44F (City of Bradford) Squadron, said: “Flight Sergeant
Mohammed was promoted to Corporal within 9 months of joining as she consist- ently taught and developed others at
the Squadron. She was then promoted
to Sergeant 12 months later 'virtually'
due to her commitment and resilience
in attending and running virtual parade evenings, despite the setback of
COVID-19 on our ability to deliver face to face training. Now FS Mohammed has returned, she has taken the reins of the Squadron as the most senior Cadet. This reflects her mature attitude, ensuring everyone who joins our Squadron gets
the best of what we have to offer and challenges staff positively to keep activities engaging, fun and educational. She is an excellent example of a cadet, but also of the 'Bradford Spirit' - To achieve all you can be and not allow things to hold you back from your goals.”
18 CADET REVIEW AUTUMN 2021