Dave Males

I have had a very good career with lots of variety and feel very satisfied with my lot. Joan and I have been married nearly 30 years, my eldest daughter is now 27 and married and has made us the very proud grandparents of a little boy. My son is 26 and a Flt Lt in the RAF, young single and playing the field, the proud owner of a BMW Z3 he thinks this a lot better than children. We have a house in Doncaster (with tenants) as we live in married quarters at Cosford. With only 2.5 years until retirement it wont be long until we are on the move again.

Dave Males
November 2001

A Photo Trade "First"!

History was recently made when former Craft Apprentice Photographer W.O. Dave Males of the JSOP at Cosford, be-came the first ever photographic warrant officer to be appointed to the role of Station Warrant officer. When the reigning SWO-man at Cosford found himself notified for a four months detachment to Kuwait, Cosford's Station Commander, Gp Capt Les Burrell decided they could not do without the SWO for that long and decided on a temporary appointment. Being the Station's senior Warrant Officer, Dave was selected! Congratulations Dave - we're sure it was well-deserved. (RAFBEPA)

RAF COSFORD - SCHOOL OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Dates From/To	Nature of Employment
May 65 - Apr 66	Basic Photgraphic Course

RAF WYTON- PHOTOGRAPHIC FACTORY/543 SQUADRON
Apr 66 - Nov 67	Aircamera Fitting Victor Aircraft (SAC)
The fitting and 1^st line maintenance of a range of air cameras and magazines utilised by the Victor reconnaissance aircraft.

RAF GUTERSLOH - No2 MOBILE FIELD PHOTOGRAPHIC UNIT
Dates From/To	Nature of Employment
Nov 67 - Jun 70	Processing & Printing (SAC)
This unit known as an MFPU was a self contained photographic unit complete with its own power and water supply. It could be deployed anywhere, anytime for the rapid processing and printing of tactical Photography. The aircraft supported were Hunter Reconnaissance Aircraft (from engines off to first print ready for interpretation was 5 minutes).

RAF WADDINGTON - NON DESTRUCTIVE TESTING CENTRE
Jun 70 - Sep 70	Processing of large format ‘X’ ray plates (SAC)
This unit was part of the Command Non-destuctive testing centre and was responsible for in depth investigation and assessment of airframe defects. The engineers exposed large 16x20 photographic negatives utilising isotopes, this produced crack and stress identification. The task was a high volume processing task using hand processing techniques in deep tank B/W chemicals.

RAF COSFORD - SCHOOL OF PHOTOGRAPHY - PPA COURSE
Dates From/To	Nature of Employment
Sep 70 - Feb 71	Photographic Processing Analyst Course

RAF WYTON - PHOTOGRAPHIC FACTORY
Dates From/To	Nature of Employment
Feb 71 - Oct 71	JNCO i/c Machine processing 9.5" wide (Cpl)

RAF LUQA (MALTA) - RECONNAISSANCE INTELLIGENCE CENTRE
Jun 74 Jun 77	JNCO i/c responsible for Processing & Printing (Cpl)

RAF COLTISHALL - RECONNAISSANCE INTELLIGENCE CENTRE
Aug 77 Jan 78	JNCO i/c responsible for Processing & Printing (Cpl)
This unit was part of 41 Squadron and was a mobile unit using Air Transportable Reconnaissance Exploitation Laboratory (ATRELS). The processing and printing equipment was situated in cabins that were airlifted to deployed sites ie. Norway for rapid processing of materials in support of the Jaguar aircraft.

RAF BRAMPTON - JARIC (UK)
Jan 78 - Nov 78	SNCO i/c responsible for Photographic Reproduction

Belize
Nov 78 – Apr 79	SNCO i/c RIC (Sgt)
Photographic processing and printing and hand held photography from Puma Helicopters

RAF BRAMPTON - JARIC (UK)
Apr 79 – Apr 80	SNCO i/c responsible for Photographic Reproduction

RAF COSFORD - JOINT SCHOOL OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Dates From/To	Nature of Employment
Apr 80 - Sep 83	Trade Instructor – Basic (Sgt)
A Basic Trade Instructor responsible for the training of new entrants into the Photographic Trade, with both theoretical knowledge and practical abilities to produce a fully competent photographic tradesman for employment on all aspects of photographic production. Advanced training to Senior Aircraftsmen and Acting Corporals who had been selected for promotion to the rank of Corporal.

RAF HEREFORD - AIRMANS COMMAND SCHOOL
Dates From/To	Nature of Employment
Sep 83 - Dec 85	Leadership & Management Instructor (FS)
The Airmans Command School staffs were responsible for the training of all Corporals selected for promotion to the rank of Sergeant, in all aspects of leadership and management. Additionally, a variety of service subjects were taught both theoretically and practically to enable the candidates to undertake the new responsibilities of supervision and management.

HQ RAF GERMANY - RAF RHEINDALEN
Dates From/To	Nature of Employment
Dec 85 - Jun 88	Command Photographic Staff Officer (FS)
The Command Photographic Specialist responsible for ensuring that all photographic units within RAF Germany were fully resourced with manpower and materials. All production is maintained to specified standards as dictated by command procedures. As a Taceval member evaluation was carried out on all aspects of reproduction and aircraft photographic operation, undertaken by the participating nations. The evaluation of Nato Cross Servicing to ensure that standards of operation were maintained during the maintenance and refurbishment of photographic facilities, on a variety of different nationalities reconnaissance aircraft.

PHOTOGRAPHIC REPRODUCTION UNIT - RAF RHEINDALEN
Dates From/To	Nature of Employment
Jun 88 - May 90	Deputy Officer Commanding (WO)
The Photographic Reproduction Unit was responsible for the production of Air Photography, Large Format Machine Processing & Printing, Medical & Dental Photography, Defect & Technical Photography, Portraits, Offset & Letterpress Lithographic Printing and Bulk Photocopying. It included a drawing office with artwork production facilities. A total of over 50 personnel were employed with service, civilian and local German employees.

RAF CAREERS OFFICE SHEFFIELD
Dates From/To	Nature of Employment
May 90 - Aug 92	Deputy Officer Commanding (WO)
The Careers Office was responsible for conducting Selection Interviews for Airman & Officer candidates. Testing & Evaluation of candidates, Public Speaking, Careers Conventions, Town Shows and School Liaison. ATC liaison visits, Job Centre and Careers Office attendance.

HEADQUARTERS STRIKE COMMAND - RAF HIGH WYCOMBE
Dates From/To	Nature of Employment
Aug 92 - May 94	Lead Command Photographic Staff Officer (WO)
The Command Photographic Specialist responsible for ensuring that all photographic units within the UK, Belize, Cyprus, Falkland Islands, Gibralter, Hong Kong & RAF Germany were fully resourced with manpower and materials. All production is maintained to specified standards as dictated by command procedures. Quality Assurance inspections were carried out annually.

RAF COSFORD - SCHOOL OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Dates From/TO	Nature of Employment
May 94 – Dec 00	Warrant Officer i/c RAF Training
Responsible for the management of a team of 14 service and civilian instructors, 5 maintenance engineers and up to 32 courses of students annually. I introduced the National Examination Board for Supervision & Management (NEBSM) qualification to RAF Cosford & JSOP, I became responsible for the instigation of NVQ's to the school, undertaking the role of school NVQ Internal Verifier. I devised and implemented an NVQ Accredited Prior Achievement Scheme at level three and four for all three services, working with Halton College Widnes. I was responsible for the implementation of an Assimilation Scheme to cross train all Photographic Tradesmen of Corporal and below as duel skilled tradesmen.

RAF COSFORD
Dates From/TO	Nature of Employment
Dec 00 – May 01	Station Warrant Officer (SWO)
Advisor to the Station Commander for all discipline, dress, deportment and ceremonial for RAF Cosford.

RAF COSFORD – AIRMAN DEVELOPMENT SQUADRON (ADS)
Dates From/TO	Nature of Employment
May 01 - Present	Flight Commander & Sqn Adjutant (WO)
Responsible for the management of 10 instructors/discip NCO’s and the dress, standards and deportment of 2500 trainees. The role involves the management of three barrack blocks with daily accommodation inspections and personnel inspections. Flight Commander responsibilities for up to 50 personnel per week on Holding Flight and the arrival procedures and implementation for all newly arrivals at RAF Cosford. ADS is responsible for the delivery of general service knowledge training and the induction process for all trainees in there first 10 weeks of training.