Ely’s Royal Air Force Air Cadet Squadron has welcomed a new Sergeant to their ranks. 

Local resident Michelle Dennett-Cook is an RAF veteran who used to serve in the Air Force as an Aircraft Technician. 

Having left the Air Force, Michelle wanted to help her local Air Cadet unit and joined up as a cadet forces adult volunteer in October 2019 as a member of the civilian committee of 1094 Squadron Air Cadets. 

Committee members help to raise funds to support the cadets in their activities, and with the post-covid return to face-to-face activities, Michelle soon became more involved in Ely Squadron’s cadet training as a civilian instructor. 

With the Squadron rebuilding its cadet number post-covid, she set her sights on getting back into uniform to help lead the cadets by example to pursue their passion for aviation. 

Going through the rigorous training and selection process, Michelle was recently successful in passing her final selection interview and last week, she was appointed as an RAFAC Sergeant.  

“I’m so proud once again to be wearing the uniform of the Royal Air Force and helping lead Ely’s Air Cadets,” she said. 

“Being a volunteer within the local community – whether in uniform or civilian clothes – is an extremely rewarding pastime but for the cadet forces it’s vitally important for cadets to see their instructors wearing the same uniform that they wear.” 

Her Commanding Officer, Flight Lieutenant J Donoghue RAFAC, said: “Every cadet forces adult volunteer is important for the youth work they perform in their local communities. 

“Michelle has really excelled in organising and leading so many interesting and fun activities for the cadets including Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme expeditions and some truly amazing experiences for the cadets including visits to our local RAF Stations and American Air Bases which the cadets absolutely loved.” 

He added: “Congratulations Sergeant Dennett-Cook, we can’t wait to see where your visits you’ve arranged for 2023 will take Ely’s Air Cadets.”