Oct 29
It was that bewitching time of the year and time for more Halloween fun and frolics.

Nov 5
Ex-1084 Sqn Cadet awarded Guild of Air Pilots & Air Navigators (GAPAN) Gallantry Award

Ex CWO Chris Parker now a Sgt Air Load Master with the RAF was one of the helicopter crew awarded the GAPAN Award for gallantry announced in the RAF News dated 7 November.
The award is to an individual, or crew of an aircraft, in any field of aviation for an outstanding act of gallantry. It is intended that this should be awarded on rare occasions ...

 The citation is detailed below 
2008 - BASRA CITY IRT CREW - 28 (AC) SQUADRON RAF
At 2315 hrs on 1 June 2007, the Incident Reaction Team (IRT) based at Basra Air Station was alerted that there was a serious casualty following a mortar attack on an isolated British location in the centre of Basra City. Landing an aircraft at the location was assessed to be very high risk. Intelligence reports had indicated a large, 'spectacular' attack would occur somewhere in Basra, with a helicopter being a possible target. The crew of the Merlin helicopter, consisting of Flt Lt Michelle Goodman, Pilot, Flt Lt George Williams, Co-pilot, Sergeant Chris Parker and Sergeant Steve Thomas, was fully aware of the elevated threat level throughout the sortie.
Alert to the high risk, but being fully conscious of the importance of providing unfailing IRT support to ground forces, Flt Lt Goodman and her crew commenced an expeditious transit and approach to an unfamiliar and dangerous landing site, whilst under intense enemy direct and indirect fire. Flying tactically on Night Vision Goggles at very low level across a hostile city, she continued her approach, undeterred by close friendly covering fire and even closer enemy fire which began to impact to the rear of the aircraft. Despite a complex approach, with numerous obstructions and ambient conditions on the limit of aviation operations, the crew executed a landing with few visual references bringing the aircraft in next to the casualty. The medics and Aviation Reaction Force left the aircraft as four mortar rounds landed in and around the location. Despite this the crew elected to hold the aircraft on the ground as the option with least risk. A top cover Lynx helicopter was by now reporting several substantial explosions in the area, which were believed to be either enemy mortars or rocket propelled grenade fire.
With the casualties loaded, the crew departed the landing site just as further explosions occurred in close vicinity to the aircraft. Additionally, the aircraft detected a possible enemy missile engagement and automatically discharged flares as a counter measure. The crew departed the area, the aircraft's path covered by very close friendly artillery fire, to distract enemy forces. Flt Lt Goodman flew rapidly from the area, making maximum use of the aircraft's performance, and with outstanding support and situational awareness from her crew and supporting assets to achieve a safe transit clear of the engagement area. The aircraft landed at the British Field Hospital just 14 minutes after launch.
Many IRT sorties are high risk. However, on this occasion the crew had to instantly weigh up the risk of losing the IRT aircraft against the importance of recovering a serious casualty, which has an impact on morale throughout the coalition. Without the IRT, the casualty would have died within 15 minutes. Despite extreme pressure, the crew made the right decision displaying determination and selflessness on a bold and daring sortie which undoubtedly saved life. For her outstanding bravery in the face of the enemy, Flt Lt Goodman was awarded the DFC, the first time the honour has been awarded to a female pilot. In recognition of their collective actions, the 28 (Army Co-Operation) Squadron IRT crew consisting of Flt Lt Michelle Goodman, Flt Lt George Williams, Sergeant Chris Parker and Sergeant Steve Thomas is collectively awarded the Guild Award for Gallantry.

Flt Lt Valerie Smith (OC 1084 Sqn) commented 'CWO Parker was a very popular cadet and well known in both South Midlands and South & East Midlands Wings having taken part in the 2000 Nijmegen marches and represented the Wing at football. He has kept in touch with the squadron but in a typically modest way he hadn't mentioned this to us. We are obviously proud that he has received this prestigious award and relieved that he and the rest of the crew came through the ordeal unscathed'

Nov 3
Flt Lt Standish helped the Royal British Legion to set out the crosses and memorials in the Garden of Remembrance

Nov 4-11

Cdt Ellie Hughes (along with brother ex-Cdt Jack Hughes) played Last Post at 4pm each day in the Garden of Remembrance. Unfortunately Ellie didn't have time to change into uniform.

Nov 9

Over 40 cadets and staff took part in the Remembrance Parade to the church and the service and wreath laying at the War memorial. The band led the parade with Cdt Jonathan Roberts laying the wreath at the War Memorial. In church CWO Sam Tomlinson and Sgt Conor Monk read part of the Act of Commitment and a lesson.

In the afternoon the band led the Oakham Remembrance Parade.

Nov 12

Flt Lt Standish helped the Royal British Legion in the removal of the Garden of Remembrance.

Nov 14

Remembrance Ball.

The Chairman of Harborough District Council and his wife attended the 1084 (Market Harborough) Squadron Annual Remembrance Ball held on Friday 14 November at Market Harborough Rugby Club.

Along with a hundred parents, cadets, ex cadets and friends, Cllr Smith and his wife enjoyed a fun filled evening while raising money for Macmillan Nurses and Leicester Royal Infirmary Oncology Unit in memory of Cathy O'Neill (aged 17) and Michael Standish (aged 23), members of the squadron who died from cancer in 1999 and 2001 respectively.
In a break from dancing to DDL Roadshow a dozen items came under the auctioneers hammer, ranging from glider flights to driving HGVs, while the younger people enjoyed some traditional fairground games.

Flt Lt Valerie Smith commented "despite the recession I was delighted so many people attended the Ball and took part in some vigorous bidding in the auction, a big thank you goes to all those businesses who generously donated items to the auction.