On Friday 14th November Wg Cdr Pravin Ladwa, and seven other officers Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing attended the Central & East Region Annual Dining-In-Night at Brampton Park Officers Mess, RAF Brampton.

Guest of Honour this year was the Deputy Commander-In-Chief Air Commander Air Member for Personnel, Air Marshall Stephen Dalton CB BSc FRAeS FCMI RAF, he was joined by Commandant Air Cadets, Air Commodore Ian Stewart BSc RAF and the Station Commander of RAF Stations Brampton, Henlow and Wyton, Gp Capt Colin Smith MA RAF.

Officers from the six Wings that comprise the Region enjoyed an excellent meal, with live music provided by a cadet ensemble from 5F (Northampton) Sqn.

In his address The Central & East Regional Commandant Gp Capt Brett Morrell RAFR spoke at length and extended his thanks to all with regard to the successes and high standards displayed by the Region.

Of particular note was the cadet recruiting campaign, which since April 2008 has seen a net increase in cadet numbers of 6.2% across the Region. The Regional Commandant also bid farewell to departing Wing and Regional staff and continued the Central & East tradition of presenting Regional ties to the retiring staff and the principle guests.

During his speech, Air Marshall Dalton reiterated the impotents of the Air Cadet Organisation to the RAF, he spoke of many areas of Best Practices within the corps and how an Air Cadet was five times more likely to remain longer then six months in a job, then a new employee recruited from civilian life.

He also went on to talk about the changes taking place within the structure of the RAF and how some of these changes such as station closures had impacted on the Air Cadet organisation but stressed the fact that the structural changes would be to the long term benefit of both regular and cadet services.

In his conclusion, Air Marshall Dalton spoke about recognition of the Air Cadet Organisation within the government, stating that it was on record that the Prime Minister recognised the value of the Air Cadet movement and it was down to all of us to ensure that our local communities also recognised the organisations worth.

After dinner there was an opportunity for the staff to relax and mingle with counterparts from the other five Wings within the Region in a relaxed and convivial atmosphere. Wg Cdr Pravin Ladwa and Sqn Ldr Bryan Coats also had the opportunity to talk to Air Marshall Stephen Dalton.