Group Captain Roger Simon, RAF, Wales & West Region Commandant, is delighted to announce that Wing Commander Amanda Evans has been appointed Senior Staff Officer (SSO) within Wales & West Region Staff. This role also makes her the first female SSO within RAFAC.
The Senior Staff Officer roles are relatively new posts and have been created to act as the focal coordinating point for the work of Regional Staff Officers in support of Regions’ and Wings’ delivery of the cadet experience.
She is a passionate advocate of the Welsh language which will advance the inclusivity of Welsh speaking cadets and adult volunteers within the Region.
Prior to this appointment, Wing Commander Evans was the Regional Training Officer, supporting the Region’s six wings with the training syllabus and activities. She has also provided liaison with Air Officer Wales, acting as Air Commodore Williams’ Project Officer for a number of Wales-focussed initiatives; the most recent project being the Wales Battle of Britain Competition.
“ We look forward to welcoming Amanda as the Regional Senior Staff Officer. The SSO role is going to be key in the coming months and years as we adjust towards RAF Astra and this is an exciting time to be taking on this new role” said Gp Capt Roger Simon.
Wing Commander Evans started her service in the air cadets 28 years ago, starting as an air cadet at 2318 (Aberkenfig) Squadron before becoming first a civilian instructor and then an Adult Warrant Officer. After four years Wing Commander Evans then became a commissioned officer, taking over the helm at 2318 Squadron as the commanding officer.
From there, Wing Commander Evans was asked to join No 3 Welsh Wing as a Wing Staff Officer and became the Wing Training Officer and Deputy Officer Commanding the Wing. From here, she was selected to become the Wales & West Region Training Officer.
During her time as an adult volunteer, Wing Commander Evans has also been heavily involved in Road Marching, starting out as part of the No 3 Welsh Wing marching team and is now the RAF Air Cadets Road Marching Officer, responsible for road marching policy and overseeing the delivery of the road marching team leaders’ course.
Said Wing Commander Evans: “I am really excited to be given this opportunity to lead the way in our Region – we are in a period of change as ASTRA develops within air cadets. I am proud of the roles during my career in the air cadets as this has helped me to be who I am and to be confident in my new role.”
Born into an English speaking family, Wing Commander Evans’s opportunities in her life meant she took the Welsh speaking path and her current role is as Chief Language Officer with Menter Bro Ogwr, a charity that promotes and furthers the use of the Welsh language in Bridgend County.
