Flying Officer Simon Jennings who is the media and communications officer (MCO) at 487 (Kingstanding and Perry Barr) Squadron recently attended a Public relations and Communications Course at RAF Henlow.

The course is designed for Squadron MCO’s and is run by the regional MCO, Squadron Leader Alan Wiggins. As well as Squadron Leader Wiggins, there a number of other experienced staff on the regional team, including an ATC officer who works in the press office at the MOD main building in London.

In what turned out to be a varied and very interesting weekend, the students on the course were taught subjects such as handling the press and media, compiling press releases, photography and fund raising techniques.

The students were set a challenge to promote a Squadron car wash and bag pack and they had to use all the facilities available at RAF Henlow. The officers on the course decided that they would “borrow” some cadets who were on annual camp at RAF Henlow, and along with a lot of equipment which was found in the officer’s mess, a good promotional photograph was taken.