WING Commander Jacqueline Rankin of the RAF has led an interesting and varied life, with The Enniskillen native speaking to The Impartial Reporter recently on her varied experiences as she marked one year in her new role, and International Women’s Day on Monday, March 8.

In her new role, Wing Commander Rankin serves as an ambassador, which has brought her back to her home county on a few occasions such as VJ Day, Remembrance Sunday, and to represent the Air Force at the funeral of the late Bill Eames BEM.

Speaking of her new relationship with the county, Wing Commander Rankin said: “I was born in Enniskillen, but moved away when I was young.

"I never realised that I still had so many family connections in Fermanagh, which is amazing, and makes this part of the country really special to me.”

Explaining her current role, she said: “I am responsible to Air Marshal Sean Reynolds, who is the Chief of the Air Staff’s ambassador in Northern Ireland (NI).

"I support [him] on all RAF engagement and media activity across the NI province.

"I took up this post in March, 2020, against the backdrop of the first year of the Coronavirus pandemic.

"One of my stand-out moments so far was attending a special VJ Day at Enniskillen that honoured our World War 2 Veterans, as well as commemorating VJ Day and enhancing connections within the community."

Speaking of VJ Day, Wing Commander Rankin said: "That was probably the main event where we were able to bring all of the World War Two veterans together; that was the likes of Bill Eames and Rita Hamilton – who have since passed away.

"I sort of knew that this was going to be the last big event where we could bring all our veterans together, and it was such a lovely event."

Before taking on this role, Wing Commander Rankin held many various roles which took her all over the world, with one of her roles being an Air Movements Officer.

As part of this role, she undertook tours of “Iraq, Afghanistan, Falkland Islands and a few in the broader Middle-East”.

She also undertook “fantastic exercises to places such as Miami and Arizona, as well some extremely challenging detachments to India and Kenya”.

Wing Commander Rankin admitted these operations were hard work, but said: “I always come home to my family feeling I have gained so much more experience, and you don’t get to see the Taj Mahal every day!

"It is tough to leave the family, and having to adapt to a new environment with new people, but it is so rewarding.”

The RAF, like all Army roles, is broadly perceived to be male-dominated, but Wing Commander Rankin believes that has now changed.

She said: "This has changed significantly, to the point that women can now join any role within the RAF.

"There is no reason why women can’t make it to the top – the RAF have so many inspirational women, with more now in senior officer positions.

"There is no glass ceiling – in fact, we no longer say that the sky is the limit; we are reaching for space and beyond.”

Wing Commander Rankin believes her greatest achievement while working for the RAF was being awarded the Pooley Sword for Outstanding Leadership and commitment whilst she was in 502 (Ulster) Squadron, the RAF Reserve squadron at Aldergrove.

“There was a nice historical link, because the squadron was originally set up in 1925, so the late Bill Eames flew for that squadron. I had to re-set it up, and it now sits at 130 people.

“To receive the sword at the Squadron Standard Parade in front of my family, friends and work colleagues ... You couldn’t top that – it was an amazing day, and it made me so proud to be in the RAF.

"I am passionate about the work I do; it is more than just a job to me,” said Wing Commander Rankin.