Issue 87 - NWRFCA - Northwest Reserve Forces & Cadets Association

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Then lo and behold the weather
lifted and we watched fantastic
displays by the Dutch Apache,
Swedish Grippen and our beloved
little Tutor. When the time came
we boarded the transport and
trundled round to the Northern
flight line and waited patiently
for our Italian chaperones to
arrive. In the meantime we
had an alternative view of the
afternoon displays including the
awesome Vulcan, breathtaking
Typhoon and Tornado GR4
role demo. As we watched the
Red Arrows from our position
imagine our horror as the Frecce
Tricolori taxied for departure
to display. You could sense the
disappointment of cadets and
staff as our buddies where
leaving. As we watched their
display and streamed landing and
taxiing our CO Flt Lt Carter faced
the difficult task of getting us
back on the minibus and heading
home. As we looked forlornly at
the pilots and crew debriefing,
two figures looked up at us. Mrs
Marenco our Chairman on the
Civilian Committee waved and
the older gentleman waved back.
(It turns out the relative of hers
who was in the Italian Air Force
was only the General in charge of
flying training.)
In a second my mobile phone
rang and the other officer stood
next to him was waving and
shouting down the telephone
beckoning us to the flight line. As
they rushed to meet us a dejected
and miserable flight of cadets was
suddenly beaming as we marched
across the apron, and where
introduced to the Frecce Tricolori.
Officers, CI’s and cadets had
the most amazing experience
talking and mixing with this
very successful aerobatic team
and where given souvenirs to
take back to the squadron. We
were also privileged to be given
a guided tour of the Aeromacchi
MB 339A and watched the crew
working on the jets in preparation
for the next display. For many
cadets this was a chance of a
lifetime to meet such skilled and
experienced pilots and engineers.
Many questions were asked and
the Italian crews where more
than happy to answer them.
It was the first time in 12 years
that an air cadet squadron had
been invited to meet the Frecce
Tricolori and our unit will not
forget this experience in a hurry.
We were very fortunate that the
Frecce Tricolori and RIAT could
support us with this activity and
the plans they made for us they
delivered. As for 7F Squadron we
delivered our share of the deal,
we brought the sunshine for the
afternoon’s displays.
As the flying displays ended we
said our goodbye’s and festooned
with memorabilia, models and
gas masks we headed north,
arriving at the squadron at 23:00
hours. RIAT 2011 was an event
true to 7F’s motto Per Diem Per
Noctem. By Day and By Night.
Many thanks to the RIAT
team and the Frecce Tricolori
for assisting and arranging this
unique experience.
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