611 Sqn RAuxAF, one of six FR20 squadrons reformed in the wake of the SDSR, was welcomed into the No 1 Group fold during a visit by Air Vice-Marshal (AVM) Gary Waterfall, Air Officer Commanding No 1 Group, to RAF Woodvale on Merseyside.
Wg Comd Paul Bennett, OC 611 Sqn (right) and AVM Waterfall (second right) meet members of the Squadron.
The Officer Commanding 611 Squadron, Wg Cdr Paul Bennett, and Executive Officer, Sqn Ldr Lee Rimmer, welcomed AVM Waterfall to the Squadron during its recent training weekend.
AVM Waterfall was welcomed to the Squadron during its recent training weekend by Wg Cdr Paul Bennett, OC 611 Sqn, and Sqn Ldr Lee Rimmer, Executive Officer.
611 is a General Service Support Squadron which trains personnel in 12 different roles including Flight Operations, Intelligence, Technician, Chef, Driver and Media Operations. Following a surge of recruitment the Squadron is well on target to reach Full Operating Capability by April 2017.
During his visit, AVM Waterfall had the opportunity to meet members of the Squadron and was impressed by their enthusiasm and commitment. He acknowledged the important role of the Reserves in the Whole Force and looked forward to seeing members of 611 Sqn working alongside regular members of 1 Group.
Sqn Dinner Night: 1950s (above), 2015 (below).
At the Squadron’s Annual Dinner, AVM Waterfall reinforced his earlier comments in a highly motivating speech, which also touched on the wide range and scope of 1 Group’s taskings around the world. He presented an award to the Squadron’s ‘Best All-Round Reservist,’ LAC Ian Clegg, who will be among the Squadron’s first three Reservists to mobilise and deploy on operations to Estonia in July.
Also at the Dinner Night, Squadron Photographer LAC Peter Creighton was able to recreate a 611 Squadron Dinner Night photograph from 1953.
For more information about the RAF Reserves and how you can get involved visit www.raf.mod.uk/recruitment
