Oldham air cadet meets Top Gun star Tom Cruise

Alex Bardsley, a soon-to-be Year 10 student at Oasis Academy Oldham, has been an air cadet at 317 Failsworth and Newton Heath squadron since July last year.

In the past 12 months, the teenager has taken part in numerous courses, including first aid training, leadership courses, band competitions for Greater Manchester Wing Air Cadets and has even completed his bronze Duke of Edinburgh expedition.

Alex Bardsley with Tom Cruise at the RIAT.

However, Alex has shown great enthusiasm in the cadets and was promoted to Corporal just eight months after joining.

Mum Debbie Bardsley said his promotion came "incredibly fast" but is down to the "dedication and support that the wonderful volunteer staff at 317 squadron have given to him to help him progress".

Alex then applied for a place to attend the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT), the biggest air show in Europe, which is held every year over the course of a week at RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire.

To be in with a chance of attending, cadets are specially selected to attend the air show as they are sent to represent their corporation on the working camp.

And in recognition of Alex's hard work, the squadron approved his place.

Debbie said: "It is a real honour to be selected as RIAT places are very sought after.

"The air cadets carry out various roles before, during and after the show to help support the smooth running of the show."

The airshow is the largest in Europe.

While at the air show, Alex carried out many tasks there, including constructing entrance areas, setting up infrastructure and held 'VIP tent duties' during show days where he got the chance to rub shoulders with Tom Cruise, Carol Voderman and the head of the RAF, Chief Air Cadet Marshall, Sir Mike Wigston.

The 14-year-old said: "To be selected for the RIAT was greatly exciting as throughout my cadet career, RIAT has been concreted in my mind as one of the greatest camps any cadet can attend.

"I enjoyed meeting figureheads such as Sir Mike Wigston and Honorary Group Captain, Carol Voderman, a RAFAC ambassador, both of whom were extremely polite and greatly insightful to talk to.

"I also met movie star Tom Cruise which was an absolutely surrel experience.

"Rumours of him being at the Air Tattoo spread throughout the camp in the days leading up to him being there, but nobody believed it until we met him."

Alex said those who did get the chance to meet the celebrity became "legends" when they returned to camp later that evening.

But alongside the chance to see various aircrafts and meet former and current serving members of the RAF, as well as international members, Alex enjoyed a special meeting with a 75-year-old RAF veteran.

The veteran had worked on the Hercules, the Tornado and the Buccaneer aircrafts throughout his RAF career as an engineer.

Alex enjoyed many special duties while at the airshow.

Debbie said: "Alex found this fasincating to hear about as one of his possible career paths is to join the RAF as a pilot.

"But the veteran was so impressed with Alex's conduct that he commended him to the camp."

The personal commendation meant Alex was put forward to receive a Red Sparrow award.

Debbie continued: "Each year, a select few air cadets receive a Red Sparrow award for their conduct.

The air cadets are very important to the teenager as he hopes he may become an RAF pilot one day.

"This year there were just under 1,000 air cadets in attendance from all over the country and just 10 received the award."

The award also presented Alex with special privileges while at the airshow such as a VIP breakfast served by the Camp Commanding Officer and a 'lie in' from the usual 5am start.

Alex said: "When I won the Red Sparrow Award, I was extremely proud as it showed to me that despite the sheer number of cadets on the camp, my effort and dedication was noticed by the Camp Commandant.

"Hard work is absolutely duly noted."

The Red Sparrows are normally invited to fly in the Hercules aircraft, but unfortunately the flight was cancelled on safety grounds due to the extreme record-breaking heat.

However, the award alone has meant a lot to Alex.

Pilots put on a dramatic show for attendees at the event.

Debbie added: "The award meant a lot to Alex as it showed his hard work has paid off.

"As his parents, we were immensely proud of him receiving the award.

"Air cadets very quickly became very important to Alex, especially after the tough time we all had during the Covid lockdown, and this was just the icing on the cake to reward him for all his hard work and dedication to succeed."

Alex said his inspiration to join the air cadets came from his older brother, Ben, who was in the same squadron before he aged out.

Alex said: "Throughout his cadet career, he completed some of the most prestigious courses available to cadets that shaped him into the type of person that I aspire to be.

Alex with his family from left to right: mum Debbie, dad Karl, Alex and brother Ben.

"In the future, I would like to join the RAF as an officer and become a fast-jet pilot. Failing this, an engineer.

"After my RAF service, I would like to pursue a career in the space industry, either as an astronaut or an engineer, but in the near future, I wish to attend the Air Cadet Leadership Course at RAFC Cranwell where I will be able to develop myself as a leader.

"My cadet dream is to represent my squadron in drill competitions nationally", he added.

Oasis Academy Oldham principal, Marie Dillon, added: "Alex is an exceptional student and role model at Oasis Academy Oldham.

"He plays an active role within the school community and was recently nominated for a Trust award.

"We are extremely proud of his achievements to date and look forward to seeing him flourish in the future."