Page 14 - Cadet Review Autumn 2023

CEY Wing ATC
A CHANCE ENCOUNTER
By Flight Lieutenant Luke Clifford-Roper-Smith
After 15 years travelling the UK and abroad, Flt Lt Clifford-Roper-Smith is returning to his old squadron in the Wing, where he hopes to give back as an adult volunteer. For the last 15 years, Luke has served in the RAF and Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAuxAF) but, having returned to Hull where he now lives with his wife and son, he looks forward to giving back to the organisation that gave him so much during his teenage years.
A cadet with 1324 (Hawker Blackburn) Sqn from 2002-2008, then CWO Smith had achieved his gold DofE, thousands of hours on the millennium volunteer scheme, his advanced glider wings, courtesy of a gliding scholarship at RAF Syerston, he served as the Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadet for the East Riding of Yorkshire, and even trekked to Everest, training under the watchful eye of this publication’s editor.
Luke has always recognised that none of this would have been possible without the tireless work of the adult volunteers. “I’ve always known that eventually
I would return to the fold. I’ve dabbled as a service instructor over the years, including supporting several annual camps as staff, but it’s always been difficult to commit for the long term — I’ve moved around more frequently as a reservist than a regular officer ever would. Now that I’m returning to the civilian workforce and settling down with my family, it’s the perfect time to commit fully to the organisation and squadron that undoubtedly gave me the life I’ve enjoyed to date.” Luke has served most of his uniformed career in the RAuxAF, which he says wasn’t even on his radar when he was making early career decisions. “I think a lot of cadets assume they’ll either join the regular forces or the civilian workforce, but
it isn’t binary. A huge proportion of roles are available to reservists, and some are only available to reservists, such as specialist cyber roles, where it’s impossible to train a regular to the same standard while managing a traditional military career. “It’s also possible to commit as much or as little as you want. Some people have perfectly fruitful reserve careers giving just 19 days per year.
On the other hand, I’ve loved the intensity of deployments, having served in Afghanistan, as a liaison officer for the UN in Cyprus, and as a manager, running an operational team out of RAF Akrotiri. In a ten year period as a part-time reservist,
I mobilised for operational service 6 times in 9 years. It’s
fair to say that’s far from normal, but it illustrates
that it really is possible to make what you
want of a reserve career. “My last three and
a half years have been spent as a full-time
reservist, serving as a cultural advisor with
the Defence Cultural Specialist Unit and
now Outreach Group, so it’s also possible
to take up full-time contracts for a truly
blended career. It’s been immensely
enjoyable, but I’m looking forward to
starting with the NHS and returning to
both part time volunteer service and
the cadet forces.”
1324 (Hawker Blackburn) Squadron are also looking forward to welcoming him back into the fold.
Editor’s note. Having been accosted by Luke I am afraid he had the drop on me, I don’t remember
the beard when he was a cadet on the Everest 2008 expedition, but of course as soon as he told me who he was the memories returned.
JOSHUA OWEN
Josh Owen is currently attending Bridlington Sports College studying his ‘A’ levels (Maths, Physics and Geography). He then intends
to study at a University for an Aero Space Engineering Degree.
Josh joined 252(Bridlington) Squadron
in 2017 and currently holds the rank of Sergeant. He is a very passionate about aircraft, which he seems to think comes from the fact that both of his parents served in the Royal Air Force.
Since joining the Air Cadets, he has achieved many awards and is currently working towards his Master Cadet Award.
He enjoys flying and gliding so much that he oversees the running of the Squadron Flight Simulator and associated equipment for the rest of the cadets. As part of his commitment to the cadets he intends to extend his stay with the squadron until he ages out at twenty.
He has carried out the duties of the Squadron Standard Bearer for the past 3 years attending many parades and church services.
Josh is a very proud and smart cadet and
is very much looking forward to the next 12 months carrying out duties as the Bridlington Town Mayor’s Cadet.
14 CADET REVIEW AUTUMN 2023