You can be forgiven if you think the new Regional Aviation Officer, looks somewhat familiar!
Central & East Region is delighted to announce that Wing Commander Tony Wright is appointed to the Central & East Regional Staff as the Region Aviation Officer.
Tony joins us from Trent Wing, having just stepped down as Officer Commanding for the Wing. He originally joined the Air Training Corps as a cadet with 303 (Retford) Detached Flight, before starting his career as an Adult Volunteer in 1981 at 1260 (Newark and District) Squadron.
In 1991 Tony became Officer Commanding at 1260 Squadron, where he remained until 1995. During his time at 1260 Squadron, also took on additional Wing duties as well as continuing to ensure that the Squadron thrived. In 1994 the Squadron achieved the highest number of Gliding Scholarships across the Wing.
From 1260 Squadron, Tony progressed to become a Wing Staff Officer, taking on responsibility for 8 Squadrons as well as a number of additional duties - Trustee of the Ralph Reid-Buckle Flying Bursary that has sponsored 65 cadets to solo gliding proficiency, Wing DofE Officer, Wing Training Officer, Wing Standards and Policy Officer, Wing Ceremonial Officer, Wing Camp Commandant, Wing Staff Development Officer, Wing Millennium Volunteers Officer, Deputy Wing Commander (2006 – 2009).
In 2009 Tony was promoted to Wing Commander and took over as Officer Commanding Trent Wing. During the course of his Air Cadet career, he has received a number of Awards and Honours - including receiving the Commandant's Commendation in 1991 and the Chief of the Air Staff's Commendation in the 2019 Queens Birthday Honours.
Wing Commander Wright says "I feel privileged to be given the opportunity in this key role, and I look forward to working with my Regional colleagues, and the Aviation Officers across the Wings in ensuring that aviation is front and centre of what we do. We will need to continue to be innovative and look beyond what we have done before to shape our future in alignment with ASTRA."