A HARD-working member of Haverfordwest’s Air Cadet Squadron will travel to Australia this summer as part of an international programme.

Warrant Officer Abigail Beckett has been selected for the International Air Cadet Exchange programme this year.

The 18-year-old from Haverfordwest is one of five cadets from the UK who will be joining others from 23 countries this year in Australia.

Between July 17 and August 2, Abigail will be the guest of the Australian Air Cadets, and will take part in activities and events across the nation with a cohort of her international peers.

“I am so excited, I really can’t wait,” said Abigail. “Some say it is the highest thing you can achieve in the cadets.

“You are getting sent away and you are making friendships with people from around the world.”

Andrew Clark, Squadron Leader at the 948 Haverfordwest Air Cadets said the whole group was proud of Abigail’s achievements.

“Warrant Officer Beckett has achieved so much in her career with the Air Cadets. She joined at 13 and this has all been a work in progress to the trip.

“This is something where you have to be really good to be noticed to go abroad and represent Great Britain’s Air Cadets,” he said.

Abigail has been a member of the Air Cadets for six year. In that time she has risen through the ranks to lead the troop’s marching band as drum major.

She is currently the Lord Lieutenant’s cadet for 2017-18, and has assisted Lord Lieutenant of Dyfed, Sarah Edwards with ceremonial duties, including a recent event in the company of Prince Charles.

She has also been the recipient of the Air Cadet’s pilot scholarship and the Sir Michael Knight Scholarship, which have allowed her to gain a licence to fly a plane solo.

In the future, Abigail hopes to follow a career as a pilot, either in the RAF or with a commercial airline.

She said none of this would be possible without having followed her three brothers into the Air Cadets.

“I never thought I would ever be able to fly a plane. The opportunities you are given here will set you up for a fantastic career.

“All you need to do is take the chance and go for it.”