Welcome to the Air Training Corps at the Royal International Air Tattoo

The Air Training Corps has been awarded the Reserve Forces Poignard for ‘…outstanding contribution to the Reserve Forces’ at a grand Gala Diner during the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford, Gloucester.

Air Vice Marshal John Ponsonby, Air Officer Command Training Group collected the award on behalf of the Air Cadet Organization and rounded off another successful military air show.

The RIAT Air Cadet Camp is the biggest single Air Cadet Organization calendar annual function. Cadets make up the largest single contingent of volunteers with 465 cadets and 93 staff from 71 units attending this year in support of the RAF Charitable Trust.

After the formal presentation, Squadron Leader Mike Poulter, Air Cadet Contingent Commander accepted the Poignard on behalf of the ATC from Tim Prince, Chief Executive Director of RIAT. Mr. Prince told cadets and staff that their contribution was invaluable and the Tattoo could not run effectively without them.

Cadets helped out everywhere from admissions, company enclosures and grandstands to the main arena, aircrew flight centre and crowd line control. Twelve high-performing RIAT first-timers under 15 years of age were selected as the RIAT 2007 “Red Sparrows”. Each cadet was presented with a special Red Sparrows Cap, T-shirt and medal before watching the departing aircraft from the ATC Tower and touring visiting aircraft.

Full coverage of RIAT 2007 will be in the September/October edition of Air Cadet Magazine.