James Wild MP for North West Norfolk has been successful in his application to join the Armed Forces Parliamentary Scheme with the Royal Air Force (RAF).
Established in 1989, this scheme provides military training to MPs of the UK Parliament. The course seeks to educate representatives through first-hand experience and an insight into military life that would not otherwise be available to them. It is then hoped that they will be able to make a more informed and useful contribution to defence debates in their respective Houses.
MPs spend a minimum of 15 days spread across the year completing an intensive training course and an embedded attachment. They will receive the same level of training as regular service personnel, after which they graduate to the same level as a Major, Squadron Leader, or Lt Colonel depending on their choice of Armed Forces branch.
While MPs can apply to any branch of the Armed Forces in the United Kingdom, James has chosen the RAF for his 12 months, reflecting the close links of the RAF to Norfolk and East Anglia
James has just completed his first visit on the scheme to RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire which is home to RAF Typhoon combat aircraft and UK Quick Reaction Alert capability whose role is to interrupt rogue aircraft close to UK airspace and escort it north, out of the UK's area of interest.
Speaking after the visit where he met pilots who respond to threats to UK airspace and flew a Typhoon on a simulator, James said:
“With the RAF’s strong local links through Marham and bases across East Anglia, this is an opportunity to learn more about the capabilities and threats facing the United Kingdom. By spending time with personnel, I will hear first-hand about life in the RAF and the challenges they face in keeping us safe.”
James was a special adviser to the then Secretary of State for Defence from 2014-2017 which included the campaign where the RAF played a leading role in supporting Iraqi Armed Forces in the fight against Daesh terrorists based in Iraq and Syria.
