I sadly retire today after 10 most rewarding years as the Commandant of Central and East Region of the Air Training Corps. As I depart no successor has yet been appointed, but I do hope it will not be long before an announcement is made. In the meantime the Assistant Regional Commandant, Squadron Leader Shorter, will be the Acting Regional Commandant.

I will take with me many happy memories of my time commanding Central and East Region – the premier Region in the Corps! I have always been most impressed with what I have seen in my extensive travels. The standards achieved by the cadets be it in the air, on parade, on the sports field, doing adventure training, on the range or in the community have been absolutely first class. They have set themselves very high goals and then have worked really hard to achieve them, but this has only been possible because of the leadership and enthusiasm of an extensive team of dedicated adult volunteers who give very generously of their time.

I depart at an exciting time for the Corps with very strong support of the Royal Air Force, the introduction of Regional Activity Centres, a new training syllabus being planned for First Class Cadets and the aim of increasing cadet numbers by 10%.

It has been a great honour and privilege to be your Regional Commandant and I know that I will miss the organisation enormously. I thank you all for your dedication and support and wish you all the very best of luck in the future. Venture Adventure!

Gp Capt Jon Ford RAF R Regional Commandant - Central & East Region