Squadron Leader Bryan Coats
Wing Adventure Training, Duke of Edinburgh's Award,
and V involved Volunteer Officer.
Bryan Coats is an ex cadet of 2292 ( Market Rasen) Squadron in Lincolnshire where he rose to the rank of Cadet Flight Sergeant and was the first cadet to gain a Duke of Edinburgh's Silver Award in the Wing.
In 1973 he was selected for a commission in the Royal Air Force as a Navigator and underwent Initial Officer Training at RAF Henlow . Unfortunately he was re- coursed and did the course again, but was still unsuccessful and left the R.A.F. - but as he will joke has been trained as an Officer & and a Gentleman twice!. Undeterred by this setback he then joined the West Midlands Police in 1974.
In August 1981 he was commissioned in the RAFVR(T) and was appointed as the OC of 1130 ( Wrekin ) Squadron West Mercian Wing, and confirmed in the rank of Flight Lieutenant in January 1982. However in February 1986 due to relocation, he transferred to Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing and after 3 weeks he was appointed as OC 479 ( Rubery) Squadron.
Progression to Wing Staff followed in Jan 1995 as the Wing Adv Trg and DoE Officer, and he was appointed Squadron Leader in January 1996. He continues to hold the same position and has also served as the Deputy Wing Commander for 8 years.
During his period of service, he has undertaken numerous Annual Camps all over UK, Gibraltar and Germany and attended several Gold Presentations at St James' Palace in London. In July 2006 he attended the Duke of Edinburgh's 50th Anniversary garden Party at Buckingham Palace. He has also been awarded an AOC's Commendation for meritorious service in Sept 2005. He has also been responsible for twice yearly camps on board HMS Bristol at Portsmouth for the past 10 years, and continues to gain these extra opportunities for our cadets.
He has recently retired from the Police after 30 years service after spending the last 12 years in the rank of Inspector, and highlights his 3 years as a Law Instructor and 5 years as a Detective Inspector in the Professional Standards Department as being the most challenging. He now works part time for a consortium of solicitors. He lists driving, foreign travel and enjoyment as his premier leisure interests
Contact: Sqn Ldr Bryan Coats
Mission Statement
To assist as much as possible all of our units in aspects of Adventure Training, Duke of Edinburgh's Award and
V involved Volunteer Award schemes (For which we have been and still are the best performing Wing in the Corps). With the objective of ensuring our cadets achieve the best possible results in these areas, and lessoning where possible the administrative burden on our overworked OC's.
Objectives 2006
Since 2006 is the 50 th year of the Duke of Edinburgh's award, we hope to get our best ever totals for these awards and if successful regain the Sir Roger Austin Sword for the best performance in the DoE in the Corps - a trophy we won 2004/2005.
Useful Information
© Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing ATC