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Flight Lieutenant Ellie Chinnery
Officer Commanding
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Flight Lieutenant Ellie Chinnery joined 494 Squadron in August 2007 and assumed command the following November.
Ellie joined the Air Training Corps in 1994 as a cadet at 308 (Colchester) Sqn. During her time as a cadet she achieved the rank of Cadet Warrant Officer, gained her Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, completed an RAF Flying Scholarship, qualified as a gliding instructor, went to the Netherlands as part of the International Air Cadet Exchange, and also travelled to Cyprus, France, and Germany on various other camps, expeditions and courses before being named Cadet of the Year for London and South East Region in 2000. The following year, Ellie was commissioned into the RAFVR(T), and has since served on 308 (Colchester) Sqn, 1830 (Tendring Hundred) Sqn and 614 Volunteer Gliding Squadron as a staff instructor before joining 494.
Outside cadets, Ellie graduated with a Law degree from Essex University in 2001 and currently works in London as a contracts specialist for a leading aerospace insurance broker. Her main interests (apart from cadets) include hill-walking, travelling, playing squash, going to the gym, and watching films.
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Officer Cadet Mat Moakes
Second in Command
Training Officer
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Mat began his cadet service in 2001 with 158 (Braintree & District) Sqn. During his cadet service he attended 6 UK based blue and green camps and an overseas camp to JHQ Rheindalen in Germany. He also completed his gliding scholarship at 614 VGS. Mat rose through the ranks quickly being promoted to Cadet Warrant Officer in 2004. During his time as a CWO he assisted with (the then) 158 (Witham) DF helping them to achieve Squadron status in 2005. Mat's cadet service ended in December 2005 and in February 2006 he joined the unit as a Civilian Instructor.
Mat is currently a qualified Range Conducting Officer, Weapons Handling Tester and Weapons Instructor (Cadets) on the No 8 and L98 rifles. He is also a qualified risk assessor, Level 2 orienteering coach and Obstacle Course Instructor (OCI) as well as being a qualified FA Referee.
Mat’s role on the unit is Training Officer and he is responsible to the OC for the delivery of the Sqn’s training programme. Mat is also 494’s adventure training officer. Mat is currently a Director of trade based franchise organisation Local Services.
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Sergeant Charles Riley
Squadron SNCO
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Charles started his career with the 1963 as a cadet and promptly rose through the ranks to Cadet Sergeant before leaving in 1965. He returned to ATC as a Civilian Instructor when his son Andrew joined 494 Sqn in 2000. In May 2006 he was promoted to Adult Sergeant and he is currently responsible to the OC for the unit’s standards of dress, drill and discipline.
Charles started his career with the ATC in 1963 as a cadet and promptly rose through the ranks to Cadet Sergeant before leaving in 1965. He returned to the ATC as a Civilian Instructor in 2000 and within a few months took on the role of Squadron Training Officer. In May 2006 Charles made the transition into uniform and now holds the rank of Adult Sergeant, he is currently responsible to the CO for drill, dress and discipline.
Charles is currently qualified to conduct weapons handling tests on the .22 rifle (qc WHT), level 2 orienteering coach and holds the basic expedition leader award (BELA). Charles has spent his working life in steel fabrication industry and for the past 10 years has run his own business providing detailed fabrication drawings for manufactures across the South East of England
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Sergeant Katherine Perry
Squadron SNCO
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Kat began her Cadet service in 1999 at 494 Sqn and during her time attended numerous camps and activities including the ATC’s Camp 2000. As a Cadet Sergeant Kat successfully completed her gliding scholarship, achieving silver wings.
In 2005 Kat transferred to 414 (Epping & North Wield) Sqn to assist during a staffing crisis. Kat returned to 494 as a Civilian Instructor in 2007.
In March 2008 Kat was appointed as an ATC Adult Sergeant. Her duties on the unit involve, working alongside ASgt Riley in maintaining and developing standards of dress, drill and discipline. She also assist in teaching and providing First Aid cover.
Kat works in accountancy for city firm Zenith Optimedia.
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Civilian Instructor Lesley Riley
Squadron Adjutant
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Lesley joined the Sqn in 2000 as a Civilian Instructor and is currently the Sqn Adjutant. Within this role she is responsible for administration and day to day unit operations. Lesley is currently a Project co-ordinator for Motability a charity providing transport and car schemes for disable people.
Lesley’s holds the First Aid at Work qualification.
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Civilian Instructor Daphne Smith
Squadron Liaison Officer
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CI Daphne Smith joined 1096 (Bishops Stortford) Squadron Air Training Corps in September 1982, initially serving on the civilian committee. The same year she was appointed Civilian Instructor, with duties covering any subject where needed.
Daphne was also awarded a St Johns Public First Aid award to enable her to carry out her duties on the Squadron. In 1990 Daphne was asked to
help set up 1096 (Detached Flight) at Stansted Airport, the forerunner to 494 Squadron. Here she also filled the role of adjutant, ensuring that the Detached Flight operated smoothly.
Daphne has been a member of 494 (Stansted Airport) Squadron since its formation in 1998.
Daphne was also responsible for organising a Squadron trip to the US for a 344th Bomber Group reunion, an effort that involved intensive fund raising over many months. Daphne also organises Squadron dinners and is involved in recruitment efforts for the unit. Daphne’s current role is that of Squadron Liaison officer, which includes important administrative support and local community liaision. During her time in the Corps, Daphne has served 14 commanding officers and has seen 5 Wing Commanders.
Daphne is a retired nurse.
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Civilian Instructor Steve Hume
Projects Officer
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Steve joined 494 Sqn as a Civilian Instructor in 2005 when his children Nicola and Robert joined as Cadets.
Steve assists with staffing and supervision at Sqn events and heads up MT on the Sqn. Steve also assists CI Stacy within the quartermaster’s role.
Steve is a coach driver for a local company.
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Civilian Instructor Dudley Baker
Projects Officer
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Dudley join 104 Cambridge Sqn ATC in 1960 and latter moved to 122 Glasgow Sqn. He then joined Royal Air Force in 1963 as a Boy Entrant and left in 1989 as a Chief Technician. His service career include home tours in Norfolk, Lincolnshire, Northern Ireland and finally at the MoD in London. In 1967 he was posted to Changi in Singapore where was station for two and a half years.
While serving in London he joined 1096 Bishop's Stortford Sqn as a service helper. In 1990 he was commissioned, in the VRT branch and took command of 1096 Stansted Airport DF which became 494 Sqn.
Currently he is a Civilian Instructor with 494 Sqn and is the Wing Communications Officer.
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Civilian Instructor Simon Stacey
Corporate Communications Officer
Quartermaster
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Simon began his Cadet service with 2317 (Harlow) Squadron’s Detached Flight at Sawbridgeworth. Circa 1979 – 83. He achieved the Senior Cadet classification and the rank of Corporal.
Simon has a HNC in Mechanical and Production Engineering and served an Engineering Apprenticeship with Standard Telephones and Cables in Harlow. He then went on to be an Industrial Engineer with twenty years experience working in the Telecommunications, Scientific and Medical industries. (Now retired)
Simon has lived with his partner, Ellie, in Stansted Mountfitchet for seventeen years and his daughter, Sophie, is a cadet on the Sqn.
Simon’s duties on the Sqn include the busy role of ‘Corporate Communications Officer’ (CCO) and Joint Quartermaster.
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Officer Cadet Rob Hall
RAF Service Helper
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Rob first joined the Air Training Corps at 13 as a cadet on 2478 (Abergavenny) Squadron. During his 6 years of service he was promoted to cadet flight sergeant and his achievements included winning a place on the International Air Cadet Exchange to Canada, numerous leadership courses, commanding the Number 1 Welsh Wing drill squad and leading the squadron band.
In 2000 Rob went to university in Aberystwyth and joined the TA, serving on operational attachment in Kosovo and working as part of national crisis teams during the foot and mouth outbreak. During this time Rob also helped out at 2478 & 561 (Aberystwyth) Squadrons, where he was commissioned into the RAFVR (T) in 2003. Rob stayed on to complete a Masters degree before moving to Nottingham in 2004 to start a part time PhD, joining 1359 (Beeston) Squadron.
Rob moved to live and work in London in 2005 and joined 494 (Stansted Airport) Squadron in January 2006. He was appointed Officer Commanding in April.
In November 2007 Rob relinquished both command of 494 Sqn and his commission in the RAF VR(T) to being Initial Officer Training (IOT) at RAFC Cranwell. Rob is due to pass out in Summer 2008. His chosen branch is RAF Regiment. Rob continues to offer his support to the unit as a Service Helper.
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Points to Note:
All staff hold a valid CRB Check and have completed the Essex Wing Basic Adult Staff Induction Course (BASIC).
Back to 'Meet the Team' Page
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