Quote:
Originally Posted by Gaznav
I thought you would all be interested in this. Her Majesty approved a new ‘Airborne Specialist’ flying badge ... late last year. The Airborne Specialist will replace the Fighter Controller (FC), the Airborne Technician (AT) and Airborne Image Analyst (IA) flying badges.
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The Airborne Specialist goes further. It will also include the Mission Intelligence Coordinator (MIC) from MQ-9A Reaper Squadrons who are part of the 'aircrew' within the Ground Control Station. This is significant for a number of reasons. Its the 1st unmanned 'flying badge' for Ground Trades. But its also the 1st of these brevets that will be awarded to those at the rank of Corporal. Up until now all the legacy ground trade brevets have been for Sgt and above.
MICs range from Cpl to Sqn Ldr. The IBN published in April also entitles any formerly qualified ground trades in any of these roles including MIC to be awarded the badge. So you can expect to see many in coming year.
You are also right that it wont be in stock in stores until April 2021, however, the IBN does entitle those who have qualified to wear it now at their own expense. Currently the only manufacturer producing these is Terrane (but this is only brevets mounted on backing for flying suits.
So if there are any badge manufacturers out there who want to get ahead of the competition and seize the market, then there is a small window of opportunity to get some Airborne Specialist Brevets made, marketed (mainly to Waddington where most will be) and sold, for No.1s/No.2s, No.5s (Mess Kit) and Flying suits before spring next year.