Page 28 - A4 Journal 2019

Our Military Affiliations

Operations Flight continues to be involved in supporting Operation
SHADER at RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus by providing engineering support to
existing aircraft shelters through maintenance and rectification
activities. More recently, the Flight deployed to construct four more
20.4m aircraft shelters to support an increase in the tempo of
deployed operations.

Throughout the year 5001 Squadron reached out to veterans of the
RAF Airfield Construction Branch as we acknowledged the heritage
and origins of the Squadron. Originally one of the largest units in the
RAF, the Branch built runways, hard standings and buildings. A new association has now been formed entitled the 5001 Sqn
Airfield Construction Branch Association providing a link between current serving personnel and veterans (www.rafacb.org.uk).
5001 Squadron are immensely proud of our affiliation with the Worshipful Company of Constructors as it acknowledges our
significant contributions to UK Defence through the delivery of our unique construction capabilities.

SOUTH-WEST LONDON ARMY CADET FORCE

We have an affiliation with the South-West London Cadet Force, and we were very pleased to be able to invite
them to be present at our Livery and Awards Dinner in February 2019. Cadet Regimental Sergeant Major
Moloney represented them and writes as follows:

“On the 13th February I had the pleasure of being invited to the Livery and Awards Dinner at Haberdashers’ Hall.
As a young Army Cadet, being invited to such a high-profile event is a huge privilege - but it is also a great opportunity to
promote the Army Cadet Force in South West London and to share information about the activities and training we carry out.
An event like this was a brand-new experience for me. I was fortunate to meet many important people from the livery
company as well as being able to sit next to the Immediate Past Master during the meal.
This gave me the opportunity to learn a lot more about the Livery Company and what they do and I especially enjoyed the
chance to participate in the ancient ceremony of the Loving Cup.
I’ve been an Army Cadet with South West London for around 4½ years now and each year I am able to participate in activities
which are made possible by the generous donations provided by organisations such as the Livery Companies.
I recently obtained an NVQ qualification and am currently involved in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and also in the Duke of
York’s International ‘iDEA’ programme. Both of these programmes offer Army Cadets new experiences and employability
skills. They also provide industry recognised qualifications which will help us stand out from the crowd when it comes to our
future education choices or careers.
In recent years, cadets from South West London are offered the opportunities to travel abroad for adventurous training or for
exchanges with other cadet units in countries such as Canada, Hong Kong, Cyprus, St Lucia and Australia.
The Army Cadet Force is an inclusive organisation and makes these opportunities open to all, however they do come at a
financial cost, but with support from organisations such as the Livery Company, we can guarantee that all cadets, from all
backgrounds are able to participate if they wish.
I would like to thank you for the opportunity and experience you gave me when you invited me to your dinner and on behalf of
the Army Cadets in South West London I thank you and your members for your generous and ongoing support.”

101 REGIMENT (City of London) RE

101 Regiment RE is a City of London Regiment that has been undergoing major changes in the last couple
of years. We still wish to maintain our links with this premier unit of the British Army, but they haven’t been
able to provide us with anything for this issue of the Journal in time for publication. If we receive anything in
due course we will include it in our internal Newsletter.

Page 28 | The Journal of the Worshipful Company of Constructors | Autumn 2019