Despite it being a very cold night, all who were present for the Presentation and Awards night hosted by No 163 (Coventry-Phoenix) Sqn got a very warm reception.

Unlike the nights that the Sqn held in the past, this year's was very different as we were fortunate that the following were able to attend:

• Wing Commander P P Ladwa RAFVR(T) - Officer Commanding Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing
• Squadron Leader M D Harrison RAFVR(T) - Deputy Wing Commander and Wing Training and Personnel Officer
• Squadron Leader B Coats RAFVR(T) - Wing Duke of Edinburgh and Millennium Volunteers Officer
• Squadron Leader P J McCarroll RAFVR(T) - Wing Sports Officer and the Squadrons Wing Staff Officer
• Mrs A Pearmain - Wing Chairman and Mr J Pearmain

We were also lucky as the weather did not deter many of the Cadets Family and Friends from attending to see exactly what we as a Sqn do and what their Sons and Daughters had achieved and from comments received during and following the night, they were not disappointed.

Once all the guests had been seated, Flight Lieutenant L Vile RAFVR(T), Officer Commanding No 163 (Coventry-Phoenix) Sqn kicked off the proceedings by welcoming all to the evening and thanked everyone for the support that they had given the Sqn.

From here it was straight into the reason for all being assembled and that was to recognise and congratulate the cadets on what they had achieved during the previous year. For this each cadet had their own dedicated power point page.

With these presentations over, our guests were in for something special as the cadets had split themselves into two flights, with each devising their own unique continuity drill session.

Taking place either side of the Refreshment Break the displays by the two flights, Lead by Cadet Sergeant Ashton Lombard and Cadet Corporal Naomi Boyfield were very well received, with comments being passed about their professionalism at the end of the evening.

However, the night was not over by a long shot as from the Drill, Flight Lieutenant Vile, then introduced the Specialist Awards Section of the Evening, which had everyone who didn't know wondering who would get what.

However all was soon to be revealed as the awards were as follows:

• Best NCO - Presented by Wing Commander P P Ladwa RAFVR(T) to Cadet Corporal Naomi Boyfield
• Cadet of the Year - Presented by Wing Commander P P Ladwa RAFVR(T) to Cadet Mary Hopewell
• Commanding Officers Award of Excellence - Presented by Squadron Leader M D Harrison RAFVR(T) to the Squadron Mess Stewarding Team
• Millennium Volunteers Awards - Presented by Squadron Leader B Coats RAFVR(T) as follows:
  • 100 hours - Cadet Sergeant Ashton Lombard
  • 100 & 200 hours
    • Cadet Sergeant Darren Aldrich
    • Cadet Sergeant Craig Boyfield
    • Cadet Sergeant Christopher Wildman
    • Cadet Eleanor Whittle
  • 1000 hours - Cadet Sergeant Lyndsey Nicolson
• Male Sports Cadet of the Year - Presented by Squadron Leader P J McCarroll RAFVR(T) to Cadet Sergeant Christopher Wildman
• Female Sports cadet of the Year - Presented by Squadron Leader P J McCarroll RAFVR(T) to Cadet Enya Tabram

All remarked that these achievements were out-standing and thoroughly deserved by the cadets.

However, the awards section of the night was not over yet as there was a few surprises left in store, this time for the staff as follows:

• NCOs Award of Excellence - Presented by Cadet Corporal Amery to Flying Officer Steven Rayner
• Confirmation of Appointment to Pilot Officer (Following successful completion of OIC)
• Commissioning Scroll presented by Wing Commander P P Ladwa RAFVR(T) to Pilot Officer Lyndsay Booton
• Millennium Volunteers Award - Presented by Squadron Leader B Coats RAFVR(T) as follows:
• 1000 hours - Pilot Officer Lyndsay Booton
• 7000 hours Certificate to No 163 (Coventry-Phoenix) Sqn - Accepted on behalf of the Sqn by Flying Officer Steven Rayner

Now of course whilst these awards came as a complete and much appreciated surprise to us, Flight Lieutenant Vile had a further trick up his sleeve with a presentation to each of our honoured guests, with each receiving either a Squadron T-Shirt or Squadron Polo Shirt.

Following the close of proceedings and after our guests had departed, we wondered how the evening had gone. This was soon answered as we have received very positive feedback from our Guests of Honour who all agreed that the evening had been a very enjoyable and memorable one.

Full credit must go to the Cadets of No 163 (Coventry-Phoenix) whose achievements made the evening possible.

Officer Commanding, (Coventry Phoenix) Sqn, Flight Lieutenant Vile said, "It is always a pleasure to see so many cadets receiving awards for the fantastic effort that they have put in over the past 12 months" He went on to say, "It was a tremendous honour for the Squadron to receive so many distinguished guests. Special thanks go to Mrs K Boyfield, Flying Officer Rayner and Pilot Officer Booton for the effort that they have put in, in making the evening the success that it was.

The evening shows a great success for the cadets and staff, this is down to having a Commanding Officer whose dedication is with his Squadron. This however is hardly surprising considering Flight Lieutenant Vile is driven by the desire for him wanting his Squadron to be the success that it is, and in doing so striving to achieve his best for the Cadets at all times. The awards presented this evening clearly show this.

Whilst he thanks the Cadets and staff for the all the hard work they have done through out the year, may we also take the opportunity to thank him for his time and dedication to 163 (Coventry Phoenix) Squadron.

Photo's of the event to follow.