Members of Public Duties Squadron Share Their Stories...

Airtrooper Iain Duff AAC

My name is Iain Duff and I am from a small place in the East of Glasgow called Uddington. I joined the Army on the 18th February 2008 and have been posted to 5 Regiment AAC for the last two months. I work as part of Ground Crew in 665 Squadron with the Gazelle, Islander and Defender aircraft. I have enjoyed my time in the Army so far and although I have not yet been on operations I would like the opportunity as soon as possible.

The experience of being on Public Duties was not by choice but nonetheless I am enjoying the training and am sure I will enjoy it more when it becomes a reality. I have only been in London a few times as a civilian and never had the chance to witness the Changing of the Guard so being a part of the parades is a big thing for me. Taking part in the Public Duties ceremonies should be an experience to remember and if it turns out to be a positive experience I will volunteer on the next opportunity.

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Airtrooper Powell AAC

I joined the Army in January 2008 and was then posted to 5 Regiment Army Air Corps in Northern Ireland as a Class 3 Groundcrew Aviation Specialist. A normal day at my Regiment consists of moving Islanders, Defender and Gazelles out onto the airfield, refuelling and helping the pilots with the starting procedures.  There are six soldiers from 5 Regiment currently on Public Duties serving as the Queen's Guard. We started our training on the 1st June and began week one with basic foot drill, progressing by Friday to rifle drill. With every day beginning at 0800hrs and ending at 1700hrs I don't think there was a single person whose arm didn't ache or feel like it was going to fall off. By the end of week one, however, the Flights were starting to bond and work together as a team.

Week Two passed quickly with further foot drill and anxious preparation for the arrival of the Irish Guards on the Monday of Week Three. There was plenty for us to learn, 'formings' being a big part of the changing of the guard so these were practiced and practiced and practiced. As well as all the forms we also had to learn the different sequencing and three different palace formats. By the end of the second week we had our bayonets fitted and plenty to remember. All this hard work brought our Flight even closer together improving our drill further and we were lucky to have SSgt Kelly and the particular Junior NCOs as they are all experienced in different ways and this was alot of benefit to us.

Week Three - welcome the Irish Guards. This week was busy with the Irish Guards Sergeant Major and Sergeant picking up on every minor fault. There has been plenty of improvement amongst the Squadron and it has been a long hard week but we've all made it to Friday. There is still one week of training left and just two weeks before our first Queen's Guard, so the heat is on in order to get the final panache and style we need in order to make Army Air Corps proud.  Hopefully we will all pull together in our final week and demonstrate that the Army Air Corps can do it better than the Guards.

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Lance Corporal Megaughin AAC

I joined the Army in July 2006 and my first posting was to 5 Regt AAC which is where I am currently serving. It was December 2008, on Squadron Orders, when I first heard that the Army Air Corps were invited back to do Public Duties and asking for volunteers. I thought straight away to myself that this was a once in a lifetime opportunity and that I wanted the experience. I went straight to my line manager that day and volunteered. I asked the lads that I worked with, who completed Public Duties in 2007, to get a picture on what to expect throughout the training and time in London. I heard a mixture of stories, the worst of which involved the training phase at Middle Wallop with the Guards beasting everyone around the drill square all day long. However, I did hear a few good stories, mainly concerning the nightlife, once in London and I have been well warned that my bank balance will more than likely be in the red!

After the first week of training at Middle Wallop most of the Squadron were suffering from aches and pains, especially blisters and hot spots from our new ammo boots and also upper body pains from striking, seizing and grasping the rifle. I was awarded my local rank of Lance Corporal, at the end of the week  as a certain number are required for each flight.

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Corporal Wepener AAC

When I arrived in the United Kingdom I lived in central London providing security for a law firm. I am from a small town just outside Pretoria, South Africa. I joined the British Army in August 2004 and am now in command of an arming team in a battle ready Apache attack helicopter squadron. I have served in Afghanistan over Christmas 2007/08 for six months. This will be my first time on Public Duties and though the training can be demanding the rewards will stay with us for the rest of our lives.

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Captain Gemma Edington AAC

I have been in the Army for over four years now and after completing flying training in May 08 was posted to 1 Regt AAC in Gutersloh, which is where I am currently serving. I was deployed on Op TELIC 13, Jan to May 09, when I heard about the trawl for Public Duties. Although I knew I would be sacrificing a summer of flying, I had no doubt in my mind that I would want to take part in such a unique and historical opportunity and therefore volunteered immediately! Serving in the Queen's Guard is an honour that few people ever get to experience, and I had the benefit of having spoken to those who participated in the Army Air Corps' first Public Duties in 2007, who all left the duty feeling as though it was the best few months in their military career thus far.

Aside from taking part in ceremonies that millions of people flock to London to see every year, it is also a great chance to work closely with all the young soldiers in the Army Air Corps. Junior Officers rarely get to integrate fully with the soldiers at the Regiment, unless we are deployed on exercise or operations, but in the AAC Public Duties Squadron, the four Junior Officers each get to command a Flight. We are thoroughly enjoying spending the time with everyone, and are trying to plan some fun days out in London.

I am very proud to say that I command A Flight, and although some may accuse me of being biased, I do believe that I command the best one. I am thrilled at the progress they have made over the last three weeks; working day and night in the searing heat to prepare for the Brigade Major's inspection on 25 June 09. Everyone has, and is still working extremely hard to reach the required standard to represent the British Army on Buckingham Palace forecourt. We can only look forward to the reward and pride we will feel when we step off for our first duty!