Meet The Staff
We have a variety of different staff members that volunteer at 452 (Hornchurch) Squadron, some are uniformed staff members, and others non-uniformed. We have Commissioned Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers, Civilian Instructors and a Civilian Committee.
Flying Officer (RAFAC) Craig Adams
FO (RAFAC) Adams is the Officer Commanding 452 (Hornchurch) Squadron.
Craig joined 452 squadron as a cadet aged 13 and was able to take full advantage of the cadet offer, completing his Duke of Edinburgh's award and gliding scholarships, attending many annual camps and flying in several different aircraft.
He became a cadet Flight Sergeant and finished his time as a cadet with a camp at RAF Bruggen in Germany at age 20.
He became a member of staff at a local unit and has grown his skills and experiences during the years, becoming a basic expedition leader and mountain leader whilst delivering first aid, aeronautical training and sports to dozens of cadets over a 20-year period whilst performing the roles of training officer and the then adjutant.
A few years ago, Craig returned to a uniformed role, taking over command of 452 Hornchurch squadron, where he strives to deliver the cadet offer to all the units whilst developing the cadets and staff to their full potential.
Craig works as an engineer in the defence sector for BAE Systems, where he is responsible for combat management systems on Naval Warships.
Acting Pilot Officer (RAFAC) Rowan Adair
APO (RAFAC) Adair is the Training Officer at 452 (Hornchurch) Squadron.
Rowan joined the RAFAC organisation at 452 Squadron at the age of 13 until 20, achieving the rank of flight sergeant. During his time in the corps, Rowan had the opportunity to go to South Africa as part of a London Wing led expedition, Kenya through the International Air Cadet Exchange (IACE), as well as completing the prestigious Junior Leaders course, where he learned real life military skills such as how to lead a section through firefights, conduct patrols, and support his team during missions. After a break of a few years, he returned to the corps in November 2022 and entered uniform as an Officer in September 2024. Rowan is a qualified Fieldcraft Training Instructor and currently the Sector 2 fieldcraft IC, taking a lead on all fieldcraft activities in the sector. As the Training Officer, Rowan oversees the Training Programme, which sets out what the squadron does from night to night, planning and organising activities for the cadets to do.
Currently, Rowan works for Ford Motor Company as an Electrician, servicing the machines and offices at the Research and Development site.
Civilian Instructor Jenni White
CI White is the Adjutant at 452 (Hornchurch) Squadron.
Jenni joined cadets aged 13. After a short break she returned as a Civilian Instructor and has been a member of staff for over 20 years.
Jenni is the Squadron Adjutant and overseas a lot of the Squadron administration that goes on behind the scenes.
She is also a First Aid Instructor and a Qualified Archery Instructor. Jenni also recently gained her Camping Leader qualification and helps out with Adventure Training.
In her spare time, Jenni likes walking in the hills/mountains, running and reading.
Sergeant (RAFAC) Matt Pearson
SGT (RAFAC) Pearson is the Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of 452 (Hornchurch) Squadron.
Matt joined the Air Cadet Organisation (RAFAC) when he was 14 years old. During his time at 1838 (Elm Park) Squadron he was part of a winning Inness Sword team and also attended London Wings oversea expedition to South Africa in 2015.
Upon ageing out as a cadet, he decided to stay at 1838 (Elm Park) Squadron as a Civilian Instructor to pass on knowledge and skills to the next generation of cadets. During this time Matt completed his Gold Duke of Edinburgh award, Basic Expedition Leader Award, Fieldcraft Instructor, Archery Instructor and became a Mountain Leader. Going on another London Wing Oversea Expedition to South Africa in 2018.
In 2023 Matt became a Sergeant to take on more roles and responsibilities including transferring to another unit, 452 (Hornchurch) Squadron. With this change he also became Deputy First aid for all of London Wing, Sector First Aid lead, Squadron Senior Non-Commissioned Officer at 452 (Hornchurch) Squadron. All of these roles assist Matt in developing new staff members and cadets.
Currently, during his Civilian life, Matt works as a Quality Manager for a construction company in London.
Probationary Sergeant (RAFAC) Megan Banfield
P/SGT (RAFAC) Banfield is the Squadron Music Officer at 452 (Hornchurch) Squadron.
Sergeant Banfield has been a member of the Air Cadet Organisation since 2016. Though she was a cadet in No. 1 Welsh Wing for many years, in both 2308 (Cwmbrân) squadron and 1367 (Caerleon) Squadron, climbing through the ranks to Cadet Warrant Officer, once she moved to Hornchurch, she decided to come back to the Air Cadets in 2023, though as an adult volunteer. She also has ambitions to complete her Gold DofE award soon.
Alongside this, she also has knowledge of music, especially cadet marching bands, which she was a part of for many years. She has goals to establish a strong and competitive band in 452 squadron soon.
Currently, she is studying Criminology and Psychology at university, in her final year of study. She aspires to join the police afterwards.
Probationary Sergeant (RAFAC) Saad Ali
Sergeant Ali joined the cadet organisation in 2018. He was a cadet at 2048 (Dagenham) Squadron up until recently, when he joined 452 (Hornchurch) Squadron following his promotion as Probationary Sergeant. He helps cadets progress in their aviation studies, answering queries and examining cadets on flight simulations. He is currently in the process of undertaking his Private Pilot License (PPL) at North Weald Airfield.
During his cadet career, he had a range of experiences from shooting to flying, and he was also amongst the very few cadets that got to achieve their parachuting badge. In addition to this, he is presently an undergraduate student pursuing a degree in Economics.
Civilian Instructor Oliver Punter
CI Punter is the Squadron Aviation Officer at 452 (Hornchurch) Squadron
He was a cadet at 452 (Hornchurch) Squadron from 2012 to 2020, where he gained valuable experiences, which included flying, gliding and parachuting. His time as a cadet also took him abroad to Belgium, Wales, Scotland and Germany to visit RAF and NATO bases, and he took part in flying exercises and live fire shoots. He achieved the rank of Cadet Warrant Officer and was fortunate enough to meet the royal family through volunteering opportunities at Buckingham Palace.
He came back as a staff member in February 2023 and has taken on the role of flight simulator training. He also enjoys supporting with shooting opportunities.
Civilian Instructor Georgina Beeson
CI Beeson is the Squadron Sports Officer at 452 (Hornchurch) Squadron and one of our newest members to join us. Though she was not a cadet herself, she is keen to develop her skills and help where she can in numerous activities.
Taking on the role of Squadron Sports Officer, and will endeavour to provide fun and engaging sports sessions to all cadets throughout the training programme.
Throughout her childhood, she achieved Grade 3 in drumming and played football for multiple clubs for around 10 years. After leaving school, she got a BTEC in Business and went on to do an apprenticeship in Kitchen Design. She has worked in this field since 2019.
Civilian Instructor George Young
CI Young has been part of the RAFAC since 2018, spending his cadet career at 452 squadron where he became a Cadet Warrant Officer. After moving away, he adopted a new role as a Civilian Instructor and transferred to 1032 (Yeovil) squadron, while continuing as a supernumerary member of staff for 452.
He has taken the role of STEM officer at his new squadron, where he helps to run STEM projects and organise competition teams. He is also a First Aid Instructor, and plans to continue assisting in running first aid courses at 452.
In the future, he would like to continue learning about First Aid, advance wing-level training in his new area, and go into uniform in the next 5 years.
CI Young is currently an Aerospace Engineering degree apprentice at Leonardo Helicopters, and looks to continue his career in engineering.
Civilian Instructor Josh Cook
CI Cook is an instructor at 452 (Hornchurch) Squadron
He has been involved with RAFAC since 2017, when he joined 452 Squadron as a cadet. During his cadet career, he participated in various activities, including fieldcraft and flying, while also advancing to the rank of Cadet Sergeant.
Following this, he became a CI at the Squadron and has since qualified as an archery instructor.
He is currently studying Management at Loughborough University and has competed in national archery competitions representing the University.
Civilian Instructor Jamik Bakht
CI Bakht is the Squadron First Class Training Officer at 452 (Hornchurch) Squadron.
He was a cadet at 452 (Hornchurch) Squadron from 2016 to 2018. As a cadet he got the fantastic experiences of going flying, gliding and parachuting; he even achieved the parachuting badge (which is one of the most prestigious badges to obtain in the Air Cadets!)
He came back as a staff member in February 2023, and has taken on the role of taking the new recruits through the majority of their first class training. He also enjoys leading the squadron training with radios.
Mr Bakht does a lot of road marching outside of normal squadron hours, and is a crucial person to keep road marching going across London Wing.
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