Sunday the 6th July 2010 will go down in history as an event the Cadet Forces will not forget for a long time. The sun was shining over RAF Scampton, home of the Red Arrows, but what was going to happen was historic. To mark the Cadet 150, 19 Cadets were chosen from across the UK and all the cadet forces, the Air Training Corps, Army Cadet Force, Sea Cadets Corps and Combined Cadet Force . Only seven lucky Cadets  got to fulfill the dream practically everyone wants to come true of flying with the world famous Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, The Red Arrows.

 

 

Having gone through a Medical at RAF Cranwell the previous day all the cadets came to RAF Scampton but no one knew who had been selected. The Cadets entered the crew room used by the Red Arrows Pilots for a pre flight brief and were then taken down to the hanger to get close up to the Hawk aircraft used by the team

 

 

 

Later in the morning everyone was invited to witness what the Red Arrows are famous for, an Aerobatic Display close up. The Red Arrows wowed the small crowd of Cadets and the gathered media. Having watched the display it was time for the Cadets to be told who had been selected to fly with the Red Arrows to perform the flypast over Buckingham Palace. Ben Stubbings 1323 (Ryedale) Squadron in North Yorkshire and Cadet Warrant Officer Liz Tunley from 2313 (Chalfonts) Squadron in Buckinghamshire were the chosen to represent the Air Training Corps.

 

 

 

Then it was time to be fitted out in a flight suit, briefed about procedures before the big moment arrived.... it was time to take off. The Cadets were filmed by the BBC and Calendar News prior to taking off and again upon their return. The team set off for London and with typical precision timing came low over London, down The Mall and over Buckingham Palace trailing red white and blue smoke to add an extra special finale to the Cadet 150 Parade taking place in the presence of HRH The Prince of Wales. 

 

 

 

Ben was one of only seven cadets from all three services across the UK to take part in an extra special trip as part of a flypast over Buckingham Palace to mark the Cadet 150 celebrations going on in London at the same time.

 

Having taken part in a rigorous series of test the previous day Ben was selected to ride in the rear seat of one of the world famous red hawk aircraft which were involved in the events in the capital. As the Air Cadets contingent marched past the Prince of Wales on the Mall, the world famous Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows flew overhead trailing red, white and blue smoke giving Ben and his fellow cadets the best view in the house.

 

“It was fantastic. I was a bit nervous at first but it was an unbelievable experience” said Ben and he added “I’m definitely looking for a career in the RAF.” Ben is now looking forward to his GCSE results and then looking towards sixth form studies, university and ultimately into the RAF.

 

 

Commandant Air Cadets, Air Commodore Barbara Cooper said, “This was a first for the Air Cadets and a wonderful opportunity. Cadets have never before flown back seat with the Red Arrows on a fly past so it was a fabulous way of marking the anniversary.”

 

 

So what was it like? An awestruck Ben Stubbings said, "It was amazing, unbelievable, wow what a day".

 

Cadet Warrant Officer, Liz Tunley said, "The buzz I got when seeing us all set up on the runway was truly exhilarating, a feeling which was maintained for the entire trip.

"The views that I could see whilst over London were absolutely sensational, and with the presence of the red arrow smoke projecting out from the planes I got a true sense of pride. This was then increased as we were directed over Buckingham palace for the Royal fly past, a moment which will stay with me for a lifetime."

 

 

Also at RAF Scampton were the two Corporals chosen to film the New ACO DVD, Corporal Sami Rahman 2387 (Pudsey) Sqn and Corporal Jordine Rae Willow Devereau 44F (City of Bradford) Sqn, who interviewed the Red Arrows Pilots and the Cadets.