Gemma – Royal Air Force
Gemma left the academy in 2001 after taking A-Levels in engineering, mathematics, physics and sports studies.
During her time at the academy she participated in various engineering schemes, including the Rover Challenge, in which her team designed and adapted a Go-Kart for disabled users, which resulted in winning a national award for workmanship. She also participated in the Head Start programme in conjunction with the Engineering Development Trust, where she was selected as 1 of 10 UK students to visit the University of Colorado. The scheme was designed to encourage young people into engineering careers whilst connecting with professionals and technical specialists whilst developing essential skills through residential visits. She also enjoyed sport whilst at the academy, playing netball and competing in athletics for both Macmillan and Cleveland county.
After her Post 16 studies, Gemma joined the Royal Air Force as an Aircraft Avionics Engineer. Upon completion of Military Basic training at RAF Halton she attended her Avionics Engineering training at RAF Cosford. After graduation she was posted to 20(R) Squadron, RAF Wittering, where she spent seven years maintaining Harrier GR7’s. During her career on Harriers she travelled the world, completing exercises in USA, Canada, Oman, Cyprus and Poland. She spent three years on the Harrier Display team, where she travelled both in the UK and throughout Europe representing the RAF and Harrier force. In her final year on 20(R) Squadron she worked in the Squadron Training Cell, this involved teaching and mentoring new squadron personnel on the complex avionics systems on the aircraft.
After promotion to Corporal in 2010, Gemma was posted to the 11(F) squadron, where she spent the next three years maintaining Typhoon aircraft. This modern fighter was completely different to the Harrier but Gemma enjoyed the challenge of fault finding and maintaining the avionics suite.
After a short period away to have children, Gemma was promoted and posted the Joint Electronic Warfare Operational Support Centre. During her posting in the JEWOSC she has completed a six-month deployment to Mount Pleasant Airport, Falkland Islands, where she provided operational support to the Typhoon aircraft as well as spending weekends visiting the iconic sights of the Falklands war.
A 17 year career in the RAF has seen Gemma receive her Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.
