967 Air Cadets

Flight Lieutenant Steve Faulkner RAFVR(T)

Steve is the Officer Commanding the Squadron and as such is responsible for all the activities that staff and Cadets take part in. He joined the Air Cadets at 15 years of age and progressed to the rank of Cadet Warrant Officer, achieving the Gold DofE award as well as many positive experiences along the way. Although Steve has served as an Adult Warrant Officer and Junior Officer on other Squadrons he has been at Warton since 2004. Steve is employed by Blackpool Council within the Civil Contingencies Team and when not working or spending time with his family loves to organise as well as take part in Squadron activities.

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Flying Officer Andy Faulkner RAFVR(T)

Andy is the Squadron’s Operations and Adventure Training Officer taking responsibility for the training and development of the Cadets on the unit as well as organising Squadron outdoor activities, such as walking, kayaking and camps. He also has a Basic Expedition Leaders award, as well as being a Level 1 Kayaking Coach and working his way through his scuba diving qualifications, currently a PADI Divemaster (watch out for some diving activities on the Squadron in the near future!) Andy works in the NHS as a leadership and management advisor and uses these skills with Cadets alongside his ATC skills to provide a quality learning and development experience for all.

Andy is one of only 3 instructors in the area qualified to conduct sessions on all of the countries MOD obstacle courses and uses this to assist in the development of leadership and team work skills.
Andy also uses his walking and camping experience to ensure that Cadets are adequately trained in camp craft prior to any camping activity helping the to stay safe whilst pushing themselves to achieve.

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Flying Officer Ed Smith RAFVR(T)

Ed used to work for the MOD as an Assistant Air Traffic Controller at RAF Spadeadam and RNAS Yeovilton before joining BAE Systems at Warton as an Air Traffic Operations Officer. Ed has been involved with the Air Cadets for a long time now as he first started off as a Cadet before becoming an adult staff member.

Ed is the Sqn Training Officer and collates the monthly training programme which is used to define the activities that Cadets complete on a night by night basis during the month. Ed is also a qualified Range Conducting Officer and helps to run the range when the Squadron shoots.

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Flight Sergeant Jamie Wright ATC

Jamie is in charge of Drill and Discipline on the Squadron. As part of this he is tasked with ensuring that the standards of dress required by the Corps are maintained. All Cadets are taught drill within the first few weeks of joining the Squadron, it is Jamie’s job to ensure that the standard of this is sufficient.

In addition to this role Jamie is also the Squadron’s Shooting Officer and runs the majority of the Squadrons live firing.  He is trained to teach and coach Cadets on a variety of weapons, ensuring high standards of safety and accuracy are attained.

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Flight Sergeant Sam Ashcroft ATC

Sam is the youngest member of staff, but has plenty of experience as she was a Cadet at another local Squadron. She recently joined the Squadron and supports FS Wright in ensuring standards of Drill and Discipline are maintained. She enjoys getting involved in a variety of activities and can be found supporting the Squadron and Wing at weekend events.

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Civilian Instructor Ken Ozwell

Ken joined the Sqn back in 2002 as a Service Instructor during his secondment to BAE Systems, while he was working on the Eurofighter Typhoon. After leaving the Royal Air Force, Ken has remained with the Sqn as a Civilian Instructor, currently acting as the Sqn Communications Officer.

Ken runs the Radio Communicator Badge Scheme for the Cadets which involves them using VHF and HF radios, Computer and Internet activities as well as some basic electronics. He also teaches basic Radio & Radar techniques and Satellite Communications.

Ken is a keen skier and hopes to arrange trips down to Chill Factore in Manchester for the Cadets in the near future.

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Civilian Instructor Rich Humble

Richard joined the Squadron in 2007 after a tour in the Royal Air Force as an engineering officer. Richard is currently employed with BAE Systems on the fault investigation section supporting the Tornado aircraft. On the Squadron Richard is responsible for the Cadet projects. this covers areas such as aero modelling and car maintenance. Richard is also a keen motor-sport enthusiast and spends his weekends dismantling and rebuilding his collection of classic cars. Away from the Squadron Richard keeps bees and produces excellent local honey!

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Sqn Ldr Drew Steel MBE RAF(Ret) – Squadron Honourary President

Drew is the Squadron’s Honourary President, a role that is aimed primarily at supporting both the staff and Civilian Committee, and promoting both the Squadron and the Corps to those who are not (yet) part of it. Drew also participates in Cadet training by presenting the RAF History elements of First Class Cadet training.  Having served in the RAF as an Air Electronics Officer and Weapons System Officer for almost 30 years, he has flown on Nimrod MR2 and MRA4, Canberra, Hunter, Puma, Lynx, Sea King and Chinook (as well as a TF-51 Mustang !)

Now working in a Military Liaison role at BAE Warton, Drew spends a considerable part of his time travelling around many of the RAF Stations in the UK, and hosting visits to BAE Warton by personnel from those stations. Therefore he is well placed to help the Squadron keep abreast of current trends and changes both within the aviation industry and within the RAF.

Although age is now getting the better of him, Drew still occasionally plays drums in a local band, and enjoys recovering from such exertions by reading, pottering about in his garage, and doing what his wife tells him !

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Civilian Committee

As well as the volunteer members of staff, the Squadron is also supported by a dedicated civilian committe.

Under the constitution of the Air Training Corps, each Squadron must be overseen by a Civilian Management Committee of no fewer than five persons.

The 967 committee meets approximately once every two months for a couple of hours one evening, usually at the Cadet Centre in Warton. Discussion and subsequent actions are primarily focussed around Cadet recruitment and fund-raising for the Squadron. There is no operational role in the Squadron which is commanded and administered by the Commanding Officer.

The main purpose of the committee is to ensure local independent non-RAF control of the Air Training Corps (ATC) Squadron. Much time is devoted to fund-raising for the Squadron which as a part of the Air Training Corps (ATC), itself part of the Air Cadet Organisation, is a registered charity.

The committee gets involved in a range of activities to assist in fund raising and Cadet recruitment. Some examples of this have been assistance with match funding through thier normal employed jobs from which the Squadron gains charitable donations – Squadron funds are a constant issue!

Further general information about the role of the Air Training Corps (ATC) Civilian Committees can be found on the Air Cadets web site