RAF cadet flying high after being chosen as RAF Wittering Station Commander’s Cadet
A young high-flier from Stamford has been appointed as the RAF Wittering Station Commander’s Cadet.
The position will allow Cadet Corporal Evie Griffen, from 2071 Stamford Squadron, to receive a unique insight into the air force.
She will be joined by Cadet Corporal Jessica Brown, from 1279 Melton Mowbray Squadron, as the new A4 Force Elements Commander’s Cadet.
Evie, 16, who is studying sports and public services at Stamford College, told this newspaper she was overwhelmed to hear her application had been successful.
"I decided to apply with a hand-written letter rather than an email," she said. "I hate emails and apparently the Station Commander was impressed with my hand-writing!
"My interview was then supposed to be on April 1 but then the lockdown came in and I had to do it virtually. I'd never had an interview before so I felt like I'd been thrown in at the deep end. When I heard I'd been successful I was speechless, which doesn't happen to me very often."
Evie said she had loved being part of the air force since she joined as a cadet four years ago and hoped to join up either as an RAF Police officer or photographer.
"I've been flying four times, although never in a passenger plane," she said. "People are amazed I've co-piloted a plane but have never sat in one to fly to another country. I love flying, especially the aerobatics.
"I used to want to be a vet or a teacher but now I definitely want to join the RAF."
Group Captain Jo Lincoln, Station Commander at RAF Wittering, said: “The way Evie and Jess reacted to the news that they had been successful told me straight away that we had chosen the right cadets. I am delighted to welcome them to the RAF Wittering and A4 Force Elements' family and can’t wait to meet them in person, once it is safe to do so.”
Jess, who aspires to be an RAF dog handler or medic, was also amazed to find out they’d been successful.
She said: “I genuinely couldn't believe it. I feel beyond honoured to think that Group Captain Lincoln, Warrant Officer Little and Warrant Officer Greening all saw something special in me to carry out such a prestigious role and I sure hope that I will go above and beyond their expectations.”
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, an official photograph has not been possible so far. However, set with their first task, Jess, a keen photographer, with Evie, produced two montage images with the help of RAF Wittering’s photographic section.
Group Captain Lincoln, who is also Commander of the A4 Force Elements, the specialist engineering and logistics squadrons that support RAF operations in the UK and overseas, added: “Cadet Cpls Brown and Griffen will have this opportunity only once, so it’s really important that, together, we make the most of the next twelve months. It’s going to be a brilliant journey for them and hopefully full of experiences that will stay with them for a lifetime.”
* Evie is also planning to have her hair chopped off to raise money for Cancer Research UK on May 30.
She said: "My aunty had breast cancer and my godmother had it too. They're okay now but we know in my family how hard it can hit - it's a very nasty thing to have."
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