CWA Uniformed Services alumna, Georgia Sandover, has become one of 18 rookies to pass the tough 20-week Phase Twotraining, learning basic combat tactics,advanced fieldcraft skills and completinglive-fire exercises.Passing the gruelling courseearns her the right to wear the Regt’sfamous shoulder-badge ‘mudguards’.

The successful trainees will nowbe posted to a Field Squadron forMission Specific Training.The RAF was the first Serviceto open up all branches and trades,including close combat roles, towomen in September 2017.

Commandant General for theRAF Regt Air Cdre Scott Millersaid:

“The RAF has led the wayin the Armed Forces integratingwomen into the Service and intocombat roles.“The graduation of the firstfemale regular RAF Regt Gunnermarks a further step forward inthe drive to equality, diversityand inclusion and is a significantmilestone for the Corps.”

Honington Station CommanderGp Capt Matt Radnall added:

“This is particularly special because we havecelebrated the graduation of our veryfirst female trainee into the Regiment– a significant event in our 78-year history. Physiological research is beingundertaken to explore the potentialadverse health effects on women incombat roles and is due to conclude in 2021.Service chiefs say they willbe implementing measures tominimise the risks associated withopening recruitment for the RAF Regiment to women in a bid toencourage more female recruits."