After yet another year of, writing articles, taking photographs, filming and meeting press deadlines, the Air Cadet Organisation Media Communications staff of the Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing who Make the News have had their hard work recognised following the publication of the 2011 MACAs.

The Media and Communication Awards (MACAs) are the Air Cadet equivalent of the Oscars.

Against extremely tough opposition from every single Region, Wing & Squadron in the Corps, the efforts of the Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing have once again been recognised with one of our staff receiving individual recognition by winning the Hope Trophy and the Wing reaching the final three in HQAC nominations for two other awards.

Flt Lt Daryll Moreton, Officer Commanding 2028 (Southam) Squadron, has been announced as one of the joint winners of The Hope Trophy for his professional approach under difficult circumstances during interviews following the tragic death of Red 4 Flt Lt Jon Egging RAF.

Flt Lt Daryll Moreton and 2028 (Southam) Squadron were nominated by the Wing for their handling of public relations and engagement with the media in the face of adversity, following the tragic accident involving Red 4, Flt Lt Jon Egging during the Red Arrows display at Bournemouth Airport on Saturday 20th August 2011.

Flt Lt Egging was a cadet with 2028 squadron before starting his RAF career. Jon had re-visited his old squadron only days before he crashed and the news of his death came as a shock to both Staff and Cadets at 2028sqn.

An article covering Flt Lt Egging's visit to his former Air Cadet unit written by Flt Lt Daryll Moreton had appeared in the local press and Air Cadet media prior to the accident. It was the existence of this article which led the post accident frenzy of media activity back to 2028 Squadron and in particular Flt Lt Daryll Moreton. 

Despite his own feelings and a desire to have time to come to terms with the loss of a friend, Flt Lt Daryll Moreton was faced with a constant barrage of enquiries from the press, all eager for information regarding Jon's time with the Air Cadets and some form of speculative comment regarding the cause of the accident.

Flt Lt Paul Hincks, Media Communications Officer for the Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing said, “I had no hesitation in nominating Flt Lt Daryll Moreton and 2028 (Southam) Squadron to HQAC for the Hope Trophy. In the best interests of the Air Cadet organisation Flt Lt Daryll Moreton conducted himself in an exemplary manner during interviews on television and radio as well as with the newspaper journalists from local and national publications. During numerous interviews Flt Lt Moreton professionally followed procedure by informing MCO's from higher formations and limiting questions to Flt Lt Egging's time with the air cadets and 2028sqn's involvement with him. The professionalism and respect shown by Flt Lt Daryll Moreton during this extremely difficult time epitomises the spirit of the Hope Trophy.”

The South West Region Bournemouth Airshow team, who paid tribute to former Red Arrows pilot Flt Lt Jon Egging following his tragic death during the show, were also announced as joint winners of the Hope Trophy.

In the Category Best Recruitment Effort - 489 (Acocks Green & Olton) squadron was nominated for their recruitment stand at National Outdoor Leisure Show which was held at the Birmingham NEC. This is the second year in succession that the efforts of 489 Squadron have been recognised by reaching the final three HQAC nominations for the Media and Communication Awards

In the Category Best ACO website – The Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing website, aircadets-wbw.org which won the award in 2008, was once again nominated for its abundance of up to the moment News and Interactive content.

The winners of the prestigious MACAs are usually announced during a presentation ceremony conducted by the Commandant Air Cadets at RAF Cranwell. However this year the winners of the coveted MACA trophies, each of which recognising a different aspect of the communication and engagement efforts of the Air Cadet Organisation's staff and cadets has been announced in an article on the Air Cadet Website. At this time we do not know when Flt Lt Daryll Moreton will be presented with the Hope Trophy.

Flt Lt Paul Hincks Media Communications Officer for Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing said, “Once again we have done extremely well in this years Media & Communications Awards, I must thank everyone within the wing who has taken part in media communications activities over the past year for helping to keep the Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing at the forefront of Air cadet Media Communications and I would urge every single squadron to support our Media Communications activities during 2012”.