Commanding Officer: Flt Lt Tim Hatton, RAFVR(T)

Tim is a broadcast specialist, lives locally, and is married with three children. He is an aviation enthusiast and learnt to fly many years ago. His ATC life started as a cadet, and as an NCO was part of the first cadet team to complete the Nijmegen 100 mile marches. Tim spent several years as the Chairman of the civilian committee of Hemel Hempstead Squadron, where all of his children attended. His expertise with helping to run one of the largest and most successful squadrons in Herts & Bucks Wing has led him to Harpenden, where we have already started on the road to becoming one of Hemel's biggest rivals in terms of academic excellence and sporting prowess! Tim leads the team at Harpenden and can be found at HQ every Monday and Thursday

Training Officer: Fg Off Chris Chadd, MSc, RAFVR(T)

Chris joined the Squadron whilst working for Monarch Airlines at Luton Airport. He originates from Swansea, Wales and was a CWO with 334 (Neath) Sqn. Apart from helping to run a large and frantic squadron, Chris gained flying and gliding scholarships, met the Duke of Edinburgh in London for tea, and took it upon himself to become chief plane spotter for the Wales & West Region. Begrudgingly left in 1996 to study in Manchester and later, Cranfield. Having recently returned from a two year spell flight instructing in the USA, Chris is now a commercial pilot flying freight with a charter company. Also creator of this website.

Matt is a Police Officer with the Hertfordshire Constabulary. He was a scout as a youngster and still has a strong preference to getting out and about with a map and compass. Matt attended camp with a group of cadets at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus in 2004 and is likely to be returning in 2006. Further highlights of 2005 include the expedition to the Orkney Islands for a week of orienteering, rock climbing and various sports.

Adult NCO , Sqn Shooting Officer: Sgt Matt Passmore

Matt's work involves Inventory Management for a large DIY chain, although on Sqn he is better known as our principal shooting officer, organising our growing and successful shooting programme. He began his cadet career with Hemel Sqn, where he stayed for 6 years and rose to the rank of Flt Sgt. Having been named Hemel's Marksman of the Year no less than three times, Matt further became the first cadet to qualify as a weapons instructor in the C&E Region and is currently the youngest L98 converted RCO (Range Conducting Officer) in Herts & Bucks Wing. Retired as a cadet in 2005, he is now a valuable member of staff on this up and coming Sqn.

Civilian Instructor: (& Adjustant) Flt Lt (Ret) Alan Wood, RAFVR(T)

Alan served his country from the depths of Her Majesty's Inland Revenue service, as a taxation specialist, with advisory roles to senior members of the government. Formerly the CO of 795, the plan was that Alan took things more easily. This didn't happen (not through choice!) and, as such, he is as busy now as ever before with lectures and administrative matters.

Louise is currently an Ambulance Technician with Herts, Beds and Bucks Ambulance Service. Her areas of interest include the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, herself a Gold Award holder, and all things outdoors. Louise is our resident First Aid expert, and a multi-discipline lecturer.

Civilian Instructor: Miss Gemma Pye, BSc

Gemma spent her schooldays in the Combined Cadet Force (RAF), rising to Warrant Officer before leaving the school for university. Her experience has made her a very welcome staff member at Harpenden and she is currently overseeing the BTec operation. Outside of cadets Gemma is a horse owner and enjoys the countryside.

The Civilian Committee

Ensure we are properly managed and funded (usually organise the 'coconut shy' at one or both or the annual Harpenden fetes). Ultimately responsible for the Squadron, they appoint the Commanding Officer and oversee the general running. They all have an outside perspective and a strong interest in the Squadron's long term survival. No member of the committee is allowed to function as part of the formal Sqn Staff and as such have no involvement with the day to day running of the Squadron.

Wanted: Parents!! If you can spare two hours, one evening a month to help oversee the running of the Squadron, it would be much appreciated. Fresh ideas and inputs are very much needed and gratefully received. You may even get lucky with a tea and biscuits! Please drop by for more details.

Staff Wanted!!

If you haven't read through most of this website yet, it may not have dawned on you that the Squadron is riding high in terms of its own well deserved success. Recent sporting achievements, continual improvement in our academic scores and participation in an unprecented number of external visits and training exercises -all point to an ambitious, happy and growing unit.

But behind the visits, lectures and weekly running of the programme is our best kept secret - the Staff. Without their continual input, presence and manpower, the Squadron would soon run out of steam.

Typical Staff functions:

• Training Programme - eg planning Air Cadet activities, coordinating staff and equipment, facilitating individual cadet goals etc.
• Lecturing - delivery of structured lecture content, dictated by the syllabus from HQAC, from modern textbooks on site.
• Administration - eg disseminating the plethora of opportunities that arrive by post, document management/auditing etc.
• Stores - Monitoring the constant movement of Squadron assets. Working with the Training Officer to produce equipment 'wish-lists' for the Civilian Committee to contemplate. Issuance of cadet uniforms with care guidance. General monitoring of the building

Current Staff Requirements as of: Monday, December 4, 2006

• Lecturers - If you know anything about how airplanes fly, how engines work, how to navigate from here to there using a map and compass, basic or advanced first aid (must be properly certified by St John's/Red Cross etc), are a dab hand at building small scale engineering or modelling projects..... or are willing to learn any of these areas.. we'd love to hear from you. There are also various courses laid on for you, for free, by the Air Cadet Training Centre at RAFC Cranwell, Lincs.

The basic qualification we are looking for is a helpful, friendly manner and the will to pitch in when you are able. Most roles are supported by our excellent team of cadet NCOs, who although will require your input, are generally self-starting and industrious. Whatever your interest, there will always be any number of opportunites to get out and about with the cadets, whether it be refereeing sports, accompanying a group of new cadets on their first cross country orienteering exercise or setting up leadership exercises on our local common. If you thought you could do with some exercise, try keeping up with these guys!

If you are interested in lending a hand, drop by the Squadron HQ one night (perhaps 8 o'clock onwards, after the programme has started) and have a chat with one of the staff. If you decide you could make some kind of commitment, there are a few bits of paperwork that need filling in, and a brief 'stand-down' period while your paperwork and background are veried by the Police and Headquarters Air Cadets.

As a Civilian Instructor, you are not required to wear a uniform, although a shirt and tie are generally preferred. A petrol allowance is paid each month, depending on how far away you live, but you must have fully comprehensive insurance to transport cadets. There is ample parking for use outside the HQ and at the bowling centre at the top of the track. Our building, which looks slightly 'tired' is due for complete replacement within the next two years.

Helping out on a squadron like Harpenden's can be a hectic, hairbrained and thoroughly odd experience. But the satisfaction of working with Britain's next generation of comedians, aviation enthusiasts and career conscious young people is usually compensation enough!

Thank you for your consideration!

Tim, Chris, Alan, Matt, Matt, and Louise