THE new lead officer of 201 Squadron is keen to continue strengthening links with Guernsey.
Martin ‘Beef’ Pearson has taken on the role of wing commander, 15 years after he represented it at a Liberation Day parade.
Mr Pearson, who was the standard bearer at the parade in 2011, said taking command of a squadron with such a close connection to the island was a particular honour.
‘It’s an amazing privilege to command any squadron, but one that’s got such a strong affiliation is unique,’ he said.
‘I think the relationship is the strongest it’s ever been, so I think now it’s about maintaining the relationship and the links with the cadets that we built.’
Those links include connections with the island’s air cadets and Combined Cadet Force.
‘When we get here, seeing the cadets is one of the things we feel really strongly that we should do,’ he said.
‘It’s really important to us to inspire the next generation of people to join the air force.’
Mr Pearson said that visiting Guernsey allowed squadron members to better understand an affiliation which forms an important part of their everyday identity.
‘We all wear the badge every day, so coming here is like putting a face to a name. You get a feel of what it means to the island and what it means for us to be associated with the island,’ he said.
‘It’s really powerful and gives the squadron a unique identity.
‘Every squadron’s got its own thing, but to have an affiliation with a physical place is unique.’
He said his team was always enthusiastic about visiting Guernsey.
The visits give personnel a greater understanding of the island’s history, such as the importance of Liberation Day.
‘Everyone on the squadron aspires to come here on their tour,’ he said.
‘The people who have been to Guernsey come back carrying the history of the island.
‘A lot of people don’t appreciate the history with the Second World War and Liberation Day, so when they come over, they realise it’s a big and very real thing.’
Mr Pearson said the relationship benefited the squadron by giving its members something distinctive to identify with, while allowing them to share their work with islanders.
‘Guernsey gives the squadron a really strong identity, so for me as the boss, I get to bring people on the squadron to the island,’ he said.
‘We’ve got a group of really passionate, capable people and they get to come here and tell everyone about what we do, and then go back and tell everyone about it.’
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