Wing News
WING SEES CHANGE OF COMMAND - posted 21-Jul-23 Friday
21st July 2023 sees a change of command for Plymouth &
Cornwall Wing as Wing Commander Francis Reis, who has been the Officer
Commanding the Wing for 12 years, hands over command to Wing Commander Peter
Ward. Wing Commander Reis started his career as an Air Cadet in 1972
when he joined 1225 (St Blazey) Detached Flight,
now 169 (St Blazey) Squadron, which was part of
then Cornwall Wing quickly becoming a keen shot with the .22 No.8 rifle as
part of the skill at arms training which resulted in attaining a number of
trophies. In his
first year, then Cadet Reis, attended camp at RAF Mount Batten, Plymouth
which hosted a boat section which was used to deploy the cadets into Plymouth
Sound before they clambered back into the dinghies. The cadets had so much
fun they returned the following year but instead of having to clamber into the
dinghies they were winched up into a search and rescue helicopter providing
his first rotary wing experience. Camps
at RAF St Mawgan, Shawbury,
Cosford and Locking followed as well as flights in
Shackleton, Canberra, Chipmunk, Bulldog, Nimrod, Wessex, Gazelle, Tutor
aircraft along with flights in Sedburgh T21, Cadet Slingsby T31, Vigilant and Viking gliders. After
reaching the rank of Cadet Sergeant and having attained his Gold in the Duke
of Edinburgh Award Scheme, a career as a member of staff beckoned which
started with becoming a Civilian Instructor before being commissioned in 1989
and being posted to 1225 (St Austell) Squadron before transferring to 2174 (Estover) Squadron in Plymouth the following year and to
2377 (Plympton) Squadron in 1991 to take on the
role of Squadron Commander. Then
Flight Lieutenant Reis transferred to 197 (Devonport) Squadron in 2002 before
becoming the Wing Media Communications Officer and being promoted to Squadron
Leader with the additional roles of Sector Commander and Cadet & Staff
Recruiting Officer. In July
2011 Squadron Leader Reis was promoted to Wing Commander on taking over the
command of Plymouth & Cornwall Wing serving three four year terms in post
in which he has seen many changes and major events including the changing of
commission from RAF Volunteer Reserve (Training) to RAF Air Cadets, the 75th
anniversary of the Air Training Corps, which saw a baton relay from John
O’Groats across the country before finishing at Land’s End, and finishing
with the National Armed Forces Day in Falmouth in June 2023 in which he was
fundamental of overseeing the RAF Air Cadet involvement. The
role of Wing Commander sees many challenges and responsibilities not least
the safety of the cadets and staff of the Wing and in 2020 Wing Commander
Reis had the added challenge of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and
overseeing the Wing engagement with the cadets and staff during the lockdown
and then recovery to normal operations in the many activities the
organisation offers. In
handing over to incoming Wing Commander Peter Ward it might be expected for
the outgoing Wing Commander to hang up his uniform, but Wing Commander Reis
plans like his two predecessors, ex-Wing Commander Mike Symons MBE and
ex-Wing Commander Tim Johns OBE, to continue in the organisation and has been
appointed as the Wing Support Officer, so the cadets and staff can expect to
see ex-Wing Commander Reis at many Wing events as well as at Squadron parade
evenings as part of his new role. Incoming
Wing Commander Peter Ward joined Plymouth & Cornwall Wing has served as a
commissioned officer at 169 (St Blazey) and 77
(Redruth) Squadrons before serving as the Wing Fieldcraft
Officer, the Sector Commander for West Cornwall and recently as the Deputy
Wing Commander. A
qualified bronze and silver Duke of Edinburgh expedition assessor and also
archery and fieldcraft instructor, Wing Commander
Ward has been a regular face at many adventure training events. The
Wing wishes to thank outgoing Wing Commander for his commitment and
leadership over the past 12 years and looks forward to seeing him at future
activities. Outgoing
Wing Commander Francis Reis (above right) formally hands over command of
Plymouth & Cornwall Wing to incoming Wing Commander Peter Ward (above
left) Outgoing
Wing Commander Reis is joined by two former Wing Commanders, Squadron Leader
Tim Johns OBE (centre rear) and Squadron Leader Mike Symons MBE (right)
|