| Commanding
Officer: Flt
Lt Tim Hatton, RAFVR(T)
Tim
is a broadcast specialist, lives locally, and is
married with three children. He is an aviation enthusiast
and learnt to fly many years ago. His ATC life started
as a cadet, and as an NCO was part of the first
cadet team to complete the Nijmegen 100 mile marches.
Tim spent several years as the Chairman of the civilian
committee of Hemel Hempstead Squadron, where all
of his children attended. His expertise with helping
to run one of the largest and most successful squadrons
in Herts & Bucks Wing has led him to Harpenden,
where we have already started on the road to becoming
one of Hemel's biggest rivals in terms of academic
excellence and sporting prowess! Tim leads the team
at Harpenden and can be found at HQ every Tuesday
and Thursday
Training Officer: Flt Lt Doug Coe RAFVR(T)
Doug joined the ATC back in the 70’s and met the CO initially on an annual camp at RAF Wittering where they both attended as cadets. Crossing paths since then on Herts and Bucks Wing and at RAF Akrotiri, when Doug moved house to the Harpenden area was quickly brought onto 795 Sqn. A former CO of South Oxhey Sqn, he is presently finishing a degree in Astronomy with the OU. As Training Officer he deals with all aspects of initial classifications and exams on the Sqn.
Adult NCO: Flight Sergeant ATC Matt Scales
Matt is a Police Officer with Hertfordshire Constabulary. He was a scout as a youngster and still has a strong preference to getting out and about with a map and compass. He oversees adventure training at 795 amongst everything else, including voluntary work outside cadets for the Prince’s Trust.
Adult NCO: Sergeant ATC Declan Martin
Having his son as a cadet on the unit, Declan soon took a great interest in working with the team and now is a capable instructor in all subjects. Being a microlight pilot in his spare time, Declan has a great deal of aviation experience to offer, and is also now trained as our shooting expert.
Civilian
Instructor: (& Adjutant) Flt Lt (Ret)
Alan Wood, RAFVR(T)
Alan
served his country from the depths of Her Majesty's
Inland Revenue service, as a taxation specialist,
with advisory roles to senior members of the government.
Formerly the CO of 795, the plan was that Alan took
things more easily. This didn't happen (not through
choice!) and, as such, he is as busy now as ever
before with lectures and administrative matters.
Civilian
Instructor: Louise Creedy
Louise
is currently an Ambulance Technician with Herts,
Beds and Bucks Ambulance Service. Her areas of interest
include the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, herself
a Gold Award holder, and all things outdoors. Louise
is our resident First Aid expert, and a multi-discipline
lecturer.
Civilian Instructor: Mr Ollie Burgess
Ollie has joined us having served in the regular RAF and is now a full time Policeman with Bedfordshire Constabulary. Along with Louise, Ollie is coordinating the D of E Awards at 795.
Civilian Instructor: Mr Alex Raven
An ex-cadet on the Wing, Alex has recently joined us bringing a wealth of knowledge in data communications. At present going through the application process, he will be a great asset to the unit.
Civilian Instructor: Mr Michael Pocock
Mike is the youngest member of the team and also an ex-cadet. With recent ATC experience, he is continuing with enthusiasm and just awaiting full clearances.
Ex Sqn Officer: Fg Off (Ret) Chris Chadd, MSc, RAFVR(T)
Chris is now a commercial pilot flying freight with a charter company and sadly has had to leave the Sqn due to relocation. As creator of this super website he gets an honorary credit!
The
Civilian Committee
Ensure
we are properly managed and funded (usually organise
the 'coconut shy' at one or both or the annual Harpenden
fetes). Ultimately responsible for the Squadron,
they appoint the Commanding Officer and oversee
the general running. They all have an outside perspective
and a strong interest in the Squadron's long term
survival. No member of the committee is allowed
to function as part of the formal Sqn Staff and
as such have no involvement with the day to day
running of the Squadron.
Wanted:
Parents!! If you can spare two hours, one evening
a month to help oversee the running of the Squadron,
it would be much appreciated. Fresh ideas and inputs
are very much needed and gratefully received. You
may even get lucky with a tea and biscuits! Please
drop by for more details.
Staff
Wanted!!
If
you haven't read through most of this website yet,
it may not have dawned on you that the Squadron
is riding high in terms of its own well deserved
success. Recent sporting achievements, continual
improvement in our academic scores and participation
in an unprecented number of external visits and
training exercises -all point to an ambitious, happy
and growing unit.
But
behind the visits, lectures and weekly running of
the programme is our best kept secret - the Staff.
Without their continual input, presence and manpower,
the Squadron would soon run out of steam.
Typical
Staff functions:
- Training
Programme - eg planning Air Cadet activities,
coordinating staff and equipment, facilitating
individual cadet goals etc.
- Lecturing
- delivery of structured lecture content, dictated
by the syllabus from HQAC, from modern textbooks
on site.
- Administration
- eg disseminating the plethora of opportunities
that arrive by post, document management/auditing
etc.
- Stores
- Monitoring the constant movement of Squadron
assets. Working with the Training Officer to produce
equipment 'wish-lists' for the Civilian Committee
to contemplate. Issuance of cadet uniforms with
care guidance. General monitoring of the building
The
basic qualification we are looking for is a helpful,
friendly manner and the will to pitch in when you
are able. Most roles are supported by our excellent
team of cadet NCOs, who although will require your
input, are generally self-starting and industrious.
Whatever your interest, there will always be any
number of opportunites to get out and about with
the cadets, whether it be refereeing sports, accompanying
a group of new cadets on their first cross country
orienteering exercise or setting up leadership exercises
on our local common. If you thought you could do
with some exercise, try keeping up with these guys!
If
you are interested in lending a hand, drop by the
Squadron HQ one night (perhaps 8 o'clock onwards,
after the programme has started) and have a chat
with one of the staff. If you decide you could make
some kind of commitment, there are a few bits of
paperwork that need filling in, and a brief 'stand-down'
period while your paperwork and background are veried
by the Police and Headquarters Air Cadets.
As
a Civilian Instructor, you are not required to wear
a uniform, although a shirt and tie are generally
preferred. A petrol allowance is paid each month,
depending on how far away you live, but you must
have fully comprehensive insurance to transport
cadets. There is ample parking for use outside the
HQ and at the bowling centre at the top of the track.
Our building, which looks slightly 'tired' is due
for complete replacement within the next
two years.
Helping
out on a squadron like Harpenden's can be a hectic,
hairbrained and thoroughly odd experience. But the
satisfaction of working with Britain's next generation
of comedians, aviation enthusiasts and career conscious
young people is usually compensation enough!
Thank
you for your consideration!
Tim,
Chris, Alan, Matt and Louise
|
