Father's pride as son passes RAF training
A RETIRED senior Army officer has spoken of his pride after his son completed a gruelling training course to join the Armed Forces.
Christopher Barron, 21, has always wanted to follow in his father Tony's footsteps and protect the public.
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DEDICATED: Christopher Barron, of Market Weighton, at his graduation parade at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire.
Now, he has graduated from the Recruit Training Squadron at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire and is a step closer to achieving his dream.
Christopher's father, Tony, said: "I'm very proud.
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"He will be assisting with flight operations and looking after aircraft on the ground.
"Originally, he was aiming for the police but with the budget they decided they weren't recruiting."
To pass his training, Christopher, of Market Weighton, had to meet rigorous fitness requirements and learn first aid and weapon handling skills.
He also spent five days living in the field in December, when temperatures at night dropped to about -10C.
Tony is a retired soldier who served in the Royal Logistic Corps and reached the rank of lieutenant colonel.
He said: "I think Christopher made his own mind up.
"He was in the Army Cadet Force for five or six years and was top cadet."
Christopher will now train as a flight operations assistant at RAF Shawbury in Shropshire.
He will learn to keep aircraft safe by supporting flying operations in RAF stations and from control towers at airfields.
In 2010, he was one of seven people across the UK picked to meet the Queen for the 150th anniversary of the cadet force.
8 Comments
by 23041642
Tuesday, January 22 2013, 12:03AM
“ColonelKurtz
No problem matey!”
by ColonelKurtz
Monday, January 21 2013, 8:23PM
“Should say apologies. (Before the spelling police get on to me)”
by ColonelKurtz
Monday, January 21 2013, 8:22PM
“Thanks 23041642. I have learnt two things there: A bit of Hull history, and don't assume things! Aplogies to you.
Same Army era as you. Joined in 1977 and was a 243 etc etc”
by 23041642
Monday, January 21 2013, 6:50PM
“ColonelKurtz
Nope it's not my Army number. I was 2446---- which dates to 1977.
23rd April 1642 is a famous date in Hull's history.”
by fdsbfadhsh
Monday, January 21 2013, 1:44PM
“Christopher Barron, 21, has always wanted to follow in his father Tony's footsteps and "protect the public."
Yeah because protecting the public is what the armed forces do hahah. Last time I checked, what they actually do is go to foreign lands to secure oil therefore making the UK less safe.”
by ColonelKurtz
Monday, January 21 2013, 1:13PM
“It might not be 'top news' but drip feeding good news stories like this do keep the Armed Forces in the public eye and have proven to be a source of recruitment. Congratulations to Christopher.
oh, and 23041642. If that's your old military number you need to watch your per sec”
by 23041642
Monday, January 21 2013, 10:17AM
“Headline news..... 'Man joins RAF'!
This is a non-story which HDM only think is important because this lad is the son of a former senior officer (Royal Logistic Corps... blanket stackers and cooks). He isn't going to be on the front line is he? 'flight operations looking after aircraft on the ground' mean an air base well away from danger. So where's the news in this story HDM. He's just one of hundreds of young lads who join up, which I doff my cap to, but pleeeeease don't try to make a newspaper story about it.
Now, if ASBO boy Sonny Grainger joined the forces that WOULD be a good story!”
by Avondaler
Monday, January 21 2013, 9:55AM
“And this is news because..............???? Many people go into the armed forces and pass all the rigorous selection and fitness criteria but it doesn't make the news! Most parents are also proud of their children for their acheivements but that doesn't make the news either.”