Bradford Cadets interview the Chief of the Air Staff

North Region Air Cadets are currently running a project to produce a new Air Cadet Organisation promotional DVD and are gathering footage to include in the final version. When they found out that the head of the Royal Air Force, Chief of the Air Staff, (CAS) Air Chief Marshall Sir Stephen Dalton, was going to be in the area, North Region Media Communications Officer, Squadron Leader Mike Wadsworth saw this as an opportunity not to be missed.




The Yorkshire Air Museum at Elvington was the location for a Battle of Britain parade and service on 6th September 2009 and Sir Stephen was the principle guest. Some hasty requests went into Headquarters Air Cadets and approval was granted to speak with CAS. Supported by the Yorkshire Air Museum, a slot was found in a very full diary of events and project officer, Assistant Wing Media Communications Officer (South & West Yorkshire), Civilian Instructor Yaseen Rahman was tasked with directing the interview. Luckily Yaseen works for the BBC in Yorkshire as a director for Look North News and was keen to do the task.
 
So it was, just after lunch on Sunday 6th September 2009, that Cadet Corporal Jordine Bostock, 15, and Cadet Corporal Sami Rahman, 14, of 44F (City of Bradford) Squadron waited anxiously at the Spitfire exhibit for CAS to arrive. Following a quick introduction and the fitting of a radio microphone, the interview began with each of the Cadet Corporals asking a series of probing questions of Sir Stephen and receiving a comprehensive reply.



With the coolness of professional presenters, Jordine and Sami completed the interview in time for Sir Stephen to head off to take part in the parade and service. The only other task was for the fill in shots, called “Noddies” to be done before the whole thing was “In the can”.
 
“I never thought when I joined Air Cadets that one day I would be interviewing the head of the Royal Air Force on camera” said Jordine and added “I was really nervous about meeting him but he was really nice and friendly and soon put me at ease.”




Sami added, “Sir Stephen was really supportive of the Air Cadets and as a former cadet himself said he was keen to see the organisation grow and prosper. I was really honoured to meet him and even better, have that meeting recorded as part of the DVD project.”
 
Regional MCO Squadron Leader Mike Wadsworth commented, “Sami and Jordine did a superb job of the interview. It’s a daunting prospect doing an interview on camera for anybody but they were really cool headed and very professional. Both of them were a credit to the organisation and aquitted themselves very well indeed. I’m looking forward to seeing the final product.”