The students, from Lincoln College and the Inspire Education Group in Stamford and Peterborough, took part in the ceremony at the International Bomber Command Centre.
Graduation certificates were presented by guest of honour, Commandant of the RAF College Cranwell, Air Commodore Andrew Dickens.
He said: “After a challenging year, this is a very welcome opportunity for us to come together to celebrate your achievements, as the graduating students of the Air and Defence College and the Air and Space Institute.
“As the situation in Ukraine worsened earlier this year, you understand that our personnel have to be ready at a moment’s notice, night or day, 365 days a year, 24 hours a day to respond to threats.
“The RAF works with partners around the world to strengthen national and international security and to protect the interests of the UK and our allies.
“As the Commandant of the Royal Air Force College, I frequently walk through the grand front entrance of College Hall at RAF Cranwell, which bears the Royal Air Force motto ‘Per Ardua Ad Astra’ – Through Adversity to the Stars. When this enduring motto was chosen in the early part of the twentieth century the country was dealing with adversity, recovering from a world war.
“The Air and Defence College students graduating today should be looking forward to a bright future as envisioned in the second part of the Royal Air Force motto - ‘Ad Astra’ – to the stars.”
Lincoln College Principal and CEO Mark Locking said: “This was a wonderful occasion and a great opportunity to celebrate the success of our Air and Space Institute and Air and Defence College students with their families.
“The amazing enrichment opportunities these programmes offer, which are simply unrivalled in the UK, mean that hopefully these young people will leave us with the skills, confidence and leadership attributes to excel in their careers. We hope their experience has taught them not to limit themselves – to grab opportunities and push themselves to realise their true potential.”
Air and Defence engineering student Harry Standbrook said: “This was just a brilliant course and an amazing opportunity. It’s a fantastic experience with so much support to help you into your career. I’m now going through the process of joining the RAF. I had my interviews a couple of weeks ago and I’ve got medicals coming up – I can’t wait.”
Air and Space Institute student Rianne Hatton said ASI had changed her life.
She said: “I was a full-time carer. I heard the radio advert one day and thought that’s for me so applied. Weeks later I was up in a plane training to be a pilot. I can still remember taking control of the plane for the first time, flying over my home town of Scunthorpe trying to spot my house – it was just surreal and amazing!”
To find out more about the Air and Space Institute Click here
To find out more about the Air and Defence College Click here
