…... benefit of the proposals and staffing was re-initiated. Since the June 1999 the Long Course Flight (re-named A and B Flights) trained 9 ab-initio courses and a total of 99 students. Of those, 85 successfully completed Phase One training on 208 Squadron and, following Graduation, progressed to 19(R) Squadron for the Tactics and Weapons Phase of the Course. During the same period, the CFS Flight trained 11 QFIs for 208 Squadron, completed BI and A2 upgrade training for 25 QFIs and
refreshed 15 other Hawk pilots, including the 3 new pilots for the Red Arrows in August 1999.
The Association Reunion Dinner in October 1999 saw Air Vice-Marshal Wright present the Sir Geoffrey Bromet Memorial Trophy to Flight Lieutenant Simon ‘Gul’ Stocker. Members of Naval 8/208 Squadron Association and their guests visited RAF Valley during the weekend of 2nd and 3rd June The visit coincided with the Wings Graduation of V50 Course from 208 Squadron, at which Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Stear (President of the Association) was the Reviewing Officer. Association members were able to admire the newly built Squadron building, view Squadron memorabilia and photo albums, and meet up with colleagues and friends. One particularly poignant moment was when ‘Dougie’ Mee signed a photo of himself, taken 50 years previously! Unfortunately, the inclement Anglesey weather precluded any of the Graduation flypasts from taking place. However, not to be outdone, V50 Course briefed and then rode a ‘cycle-past’ in all of the formations normally used during the Squadron’s 9-ship formation flypast. Flexibility still remains one of the keys to Airpower!
On 10th January 2001 there was a Service of Dedication for the 208 Squadron stained glass window in St Mihangel’s Church. The work was designed and produced by the Station Commander’s wife, Mrs Karen Newby and was dedicated by the Rt Reverend J D G Kirkham, the Bishop to Her Majesty’s Forces. The window commemorates the courage and dedication of all 208 Squadron members, as well as the role of the Squadron in maintaining the standards of flying within the fast-jet stream of Royal Air Force flying training. In detail, the Squadron crest surmounts a pair of pilots’ wings, under which is written ‘They shall rise upon wings as eagles’ - the blessing from Isiah 40 that was used in the dedication service when the students graduated and were presented with their ‘wings.’
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