Red Arrows FEATURES
Squadron Leader Ruth Shackleton – Former Red Arrows Team Manager
Red Arrows R
uth is a good friend of one of our Covenant Co- ordinators. She’s now come to the end of her tour with
the Red Arrows and we initially asked if she’d do a reflection back on her time with them. She’s gone a step further however, and we hope you enjoy this reflective read as much as the team did.
There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than friendship – Thomas Aquinas
Friendship is a precious commodity and all too often we can easily take it for granted. A kind word or gesture has often made the world of difference during my career. Such a transient lifestyle, encountering many postings and countless moves is never easy, especially for the single servicemen. So without doubt my most important memories from my 16 years service in the RAF will be of the wonderful friends I have made along the way and for that I feel truly blessed. I have learnt that it is the people that make the RAF special: the RAF family for which the Families Federation serve.
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A very dear friend cajoled me in to writing this article and she advised I should write about my career. However, during the course of my recollections I have discovered there are far too many memories to recite and too many special people to name…so here is just a small selection.
Ever since I walked through the gates at RAFC Cranwell for Initial Officer Training, wondering what an earth had I let myself in for, I have always been amazed by the generosity of spirit of those surrounding me. Struggling with leadership challenges or running up cardiac hill (some readers will know exactly what I mean) there was always someone to share and support through all the trials and tribulations and through to the ultimate jubilation of graduation. Those initial days at Cranwell seem a long time ago yet I will never forget the people both course mates and
directing staff which made those happy days so memorable (even despite the blood, sweat and tears!!).
My first day at my first unit leaves another striking memory. The sense of trepidation upon entering Squadron Leader Ops’ Office at RAF Northolt and upon leaving with a huge sense of relief! The meeting was swift; I left under no illusion of who was the boss and what was expected of me as a Junior Officer AND what would occur if I did not live up to expectation! Actually, he and I became firm friends despite such a ‘tense’ start and his mentoring and support were invaluable in later years as I navigated my career path. My times at Northolt were to be happy as not only did the Ops room have the finest view in the RAF I was to see most of the Royal family and many Heads of State during my tenure.
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