72 (OMAGH) SQN. A.T.C.

It is all Fred Blair's fault. In early 1995 he met the Principal of Omagh Academy school, a Mr Jim McBain, on a ferry going to Scotland.As an old pupil, Wing Commander Blair, suggested that it would be a good idea to set up an ATC Squadron in Omagh. After much perliminary activity 814 (Portadown) DF emerged on 1st September 1995. Portadown being the nearest Squadron that we could be attached to. The staff, at this time, comprised two Civilian Instructors, Nick (later Flying Officer) Fitton and Richard Whybray.

Within a month we made our mark at the Northern Ireland Wing Parade. Cadet Sergeant Robert Hamilton led the drill team into the Drill Competition and didn't come last. The Staff distinguished themselves by disappearing with the keys to the movemeent hanger at RAF Aldergrove just as all the Cadets wanted to change out of uniform.

With time we learned how to operate as a Detached Flight under the guidance of Flight Lieutenant David Henderson from our parent Squadron some 50 miles away. This gave us a certain independance.

Extra staff came on board. We recruited an ex Royal Observer Corps member, knowledgeable about aircraft recognition, an expert first aider and our first female Civilian Instructor. Then we got an aeromodeller and flying enthusiast. Some of these members of staff brought their teenage children with them. This contributed to a very healthy Detatched Flight swelling our numbers to around thirty. Our last goal at this time was to appoint a Padre and the Chairman of the Civilian Committee. We managed to do this in the form of Rev. Robert Clarke and Mr Jim McBain respectfully.

The Squadron went on to attend a variety of camps down the years starting with Personnel Command at RAF Insworth. Notable other visits have included RAF Lossiemouth and the millennium camp at RAF College Cranwell. The Squadron are now regular attenders at the Adventure Training camp at Rothiemurchas Lodge in Scotland.

A number of our Cadets have gone on to notable achievement namely Cadet Warrant Officer Hamilton and Cadet Jason Grahame joined the RAF, Cadet Stuart McBain was the first Cadet from the Squadron to win a place on an International Cadet Exchange Visit in 1999 and went to the United States of America, this only being four years after the formation of the Detached Flight. Several Cadets have gone on to represent the Wing at the Njimegan International March in 2002 and 2003. The team, in 2003 was led by Cadet Warrant Officer Peter Collins from the Squadron.

At the end of 2001 Flying Officer Fitton had to retire due to ill health just before the Detached Flight was awarded full Squadron status on 1st January 2002. Our new tital was 72 (Omagh) Squadron Air Training Corps and this was the idea of Nick Fitton to honour the RAF Helicopter Squadron bases at RAF Aldergrove with whom we had so much contact. Mr Whybray took over as the acting Commanding Officer as a Civilian Instructor. Two other Civilian Instructors had to leave at the same time leaving the new Squadron extremely short handed and with no uniformed staff. Help came in the form of Adult Warrant Officer Noble who helped to rebuild the Squadron and today is now the Commanding Officer.

In March 2002 our old friends 72 Squadron RAF left the Provence and disbanded. Our Squadron had the honour of attending their final Families Day at RAF Aldergrove and became the last Cadets to fly in the Wessex Helicopter. Wing Commander McAuley (RAF) very kindly presented the Squadron with  framed print of the Squadron at work in Northern Ireland with the message, "Carry on the tradition." We hope to this day that we have.

The Squadron is going from strength to strength and was the first Uniformed Youth Organisation to affiliate with the Royal British Legion in Northern Ireland and this is shown by the Cadets wearing the official badge on their brassard. The Squadron also won their first trophy in being awarded the Hutton Trophy in 2005 for our help and support to the Royal Air Forces Association in Northern Ireland.

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