722 (Chivenor) Squadron announced!!!

24th June 1999
Report by CWO Hoole

No details on a date have yet been confirmed, but it was announced by Plt.Off. Cole on parade tonight that Chivenor is to be upgraded to Squadron status in the near future. Apparently, it is due to the Regional Commandant (SW) being so impressed with the unit during the recent open day that it spurred him to make an extra effort on our behalf.
The Squadron is currently believed to have been assigned the number 722, the original number of Ilfracombe Squadron. It is hoped that, if numbers continue to increase, Chivenor may eventually have a detached flight back in Ilfracombe.
The news of the upgrade has been gratefully received, particularly by the more senior cadets and staff, who have well been aware of the attempts for this upgrade over the last 10 years. It is also a relief, since the unit is now verging on fifty registered cadets, with new cadets joining every week, and the upgrade means we can now expand our facilities, staffing, and NCO levels, which are all currently being stretched to cope with the numbers.