Find out about
THE COMMANDING OFFICER
of 2187 (Canvey Island) Sqn
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Flight Lieutenant Nicky Weston is the current Commanding Officer of 2187 (Canvey Island) Squadron. He originally joined 2187 Sqn as a 14-year old cadet in August 1987. As a cadet, he became a trumpeter in the Squadron band, and later went on to be Drum Major for five years: for some years he led the Massed Bands of East Essex Wing as Senior Drum Major on several large parades of over 1000 cadets. In 1995, 2187 Sqn was named Best Band in East Essex Wing, and he led them to the Regional competition at RAF Henlow.

Throughout his cadet service, Nick completed a number of Wing-held Junior and Senior NCO training courses, including the cadet SNCO Drill Instructor Course, and found himself visiting over 30 different RAF and USAF stations in various parts of the UK and Europe .

He managed to amass over 18 hours flying hours in different Service aircraft, including the Chipmunk, Chinook, Puma, Domine, Jetstream and Bulldog and completed a gliding course in 1989 at RAF Gutersloh in Germany.

Nick eventually completed eight years cadet service in August 1995 on his 22nd birthday, 3½ of which had been spent as a Cadet Warrant Officer. During that time, he won the squadron award for Best Cadet three times, the Flt Lt Maltby Community Trophy for his work in the local area, the Owens Trophy for Excellence and was twice nominated for the East Essex Wing Cadet of the Year competition.

Nick had earlier attended the Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre at RAF Biggin Hill in 1990, but after being failed for regular service for medical reasons, Nick decided to continue with the ATC. After a few months as a Civilian Instructor, he was later commissioned as a Pilot Officer in to the Training branch of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in July 1996, in the post of Adjutant.

In June 1998 he passed a course to become a Range Officer, being qualified take cadets for shooting. Promotion to Flying Officer followed the month after. Nick was eventually posted to 1341 (Thundersley) Sqn as Adjutant in January 1999, after 11½ continuous years' service with Canvey Island Squadron.

He later became the Deputy Commanding Officer at 1341 Sqn and gained much valuable experience under the leadership of Flt Lt Robert Hunt (himself a former cadet and fellow officer of 2187 Sqn, whom saw regular service in the RAF Regiment). Eventually Nick was posted back to 2187 Sqn in October 2001, in the post of Commanding Officer and promoted to Flight Lieutenant.

In June 2005, he was presented with the Mayor's Award for Volunteer of the Year, by the Mayor of Castle Point Borough Council.  In 2008, he led the Essex Wing Team for the RAF WARMA 2-day Marches at DCAE Cosford, and previously held secondary duties as Wing Staff Development Officer and Sector Liaison Officer.