Armed Forces Day: celebrating ex-army members at Airband

We’re celebrating National Armed Forces Day in a very special way this year. As well as commemorating men and women everywhere for their great service in the British Armed Forces, we want to give a special mention to some of our own fantastic team members who served our country too, and now, are on the journey with Airband helping keep people connected, each and every day.

We’re delving deeper into the lives of three ex-army members in our team; our Infrastructure Team Leader, Dean Andrews, our Demand Led Manager, Philippa Blackburn, and our South West Fibre Install Team Leader, Daniel Brown.

Take a look at their journey from Army to Airband, and how they continue to utilise their specialist skills into their everyday.

Dean Andrews

Role at Airband:
Infrastructure Team Leader

Service:
Army

Unit:
Royal Corps of Signals

Length of service:
10 years (1991 – 2001)

Why did you join airband?
My First Rigging Course was in 1995 serving in Northern Ireland and Bosniam – since leaving the services I have always been involved in working at height too. The first job was alongside the mighty Steeplejacks, then communications in the Mobile sector until Feb 2019, when I started as a Wireless Engineer at Airband.

What skills have you learnt from the forces that you use at Airband?
The skills I learnt from the forces are put to practice every day, from leadership, to passing on my knowledge to the team, to ropes, lifting and climbing techniques. Most of all, working as a team and working safe.

Other ex-serving members at Airband are a key part of supporting wellbeing, as this is the family that you can talk to and have banter with.

Photo in service:

Photo at Airband:

Philippa Blackburn

Role at Airband:
Demand-led Manager

Service:
Army

Unit:
Women’s Royal Army Corps, later became The Adjutant General’s Corps

My role was wide and varied! From Troop Training Officer to Assistant Adjutant to Army Careers Selection Officer – during peacetime and on deployment in the 1st Gulf War!

Length of service:
8yrs from 1987 – 1995, then 3 years in the Reserves

Why did you join Airband?
The job sounded intriguing. I was having to organise Red’s [CEO of Airband, Remond Peel] schedule, as well as managing the small office. All the people were great!

During my time I have been an Office Administrator, Office Manager, a Customer Services Manager and finally a Demand Led Manager… I like to keep it varied!

How long have you worked at Airband?
Nearly 10 years!

What skills have you learnt from the forces that you use at Airband?
How to manage in a busy working environment! How to keep an eye on the bigger picture and work effectively in a team and for the team. How to manage people in tricky situations.

Photo in service:

Photo at Airband:

Daniel Brown

Role at Airband:
Fibre Install Team Leader, Southwest

Service:
Army

Unit:
2nd Royal Tank Regiment, Coldstream Guards, 47/3 Battery

Length of service:
12 years (2001-2013)

Why did you join Airband?
I wanted a career in telecomms that was a mix of hands on and technical work. I also wanted to work in the great outdoors rather than in an office!

What skills have you learnt from the forces that you use at Airband?
The ability to adapt and overcome. Working as a team, training and mentoring fellow colleagues in their new roles. I’ve brought my ‘don’t give up attitude’ and ‘get over every obstacle with a positive outcome’ style to Airband.

Photo in service:

Photo at Airband:

We’re proud to have many ex-army members with us at Airband, each contributing to our success and ensuring we’re specialists at what we do. Thank you to everyone for your service, from the Army to Airband.

If you would like to show your support and get involved too, there are plenty of ways you can; from flying your armed forces flag, to fundraising events, to sharing recognition and memories online.

Head over to the National Armed Forces Day website to discover more ways to support the cause. And don’t forget, if you’d like to give a special mention to an Armed Forces member, share your stories with us on Facebook or Twitter, and we’ll shout them out!