Phillip Doorbar, former RAF Warrant Officer and life member of the Association's Waddington Branch, holds the Guinness World Record for the longest career in the air force.
"I was born on 31 March 1954, the only child of working-class parents Stan and Dorothy Doorbar. Home was in a terraced row of 20 houses on the outskirts of Stoke-on-Trent, called New Buildings. They were probably new at the turn of the previous century! There was a coal fire in the living room, one sink (in the kitchen) and an outside toilet (still in 1970). The view from my bedroom window was a colliery rail siding and a huge coal slag heap.
"I was fortunate to pass the 11+ exam and go to a very new, progressive grammar school. Truthfully, I was not very academic, but I was quite good at woodwork, metalwork and technical drawing. I met and fell in love with a girl called Christine at the grammar school, but it took me 14 years to propose! We married in 1984.
"University was never really an option, and the traditional local opportunities were Chatterly Whitfield, a famous colliery a couple of miles away, and the various potteries in Stoke, none of which really appealed to me.
"I had joined the local Air Training Corp squadron in Biddulph (2151 Squadron) when I was 14. I really enjoyed the discipline, the structure and the camping and hiking trips. There were also lectures on the RAF, which I found very interesting. I decided the local economy held nothing for me, so in October 1970, aged 16, I enlisted in the RAF as a Craft Apprentice, for a nine-plus-three year engagement.
"I graduated two years later from Cosford as a Junior Technician, in the trade of Electronic Fitter – Navigational Instruments. The trade evolved during the following years, becoming Electronic Technician – Flight Systems, Electronic Tech – Avionics, and finally L Eng Tech.
"My postings included Valley, Newton, Leuchars, Gutersloh, St Mawgan, Culdrose, Odiham, Sealand, Henlow, Laarbruch, Leeming and finally Waddington. Aircraft types were Folland Gnat, Red Top and Firestreak missiles, Sea King HAR3, Puma HC1, Tornado GR1 and F3, and finally Sentry E-3D AWACS, on which I flew as an Airborne Technician.
"I finally retired in November 2009 aged 55, with the rank of Warrant Officer. Just over a month later, I re-enlisted as an Intelligence Analyst (Photographic Interpreter) with the rank of Sergeant. I remained a Reservist (and a Sergeant) for another 13 years, finally retiring in January 2023, aged 68.
"I was aware some years ago a colleague of mine had received a Guinness World Record for 51 years' service. I knew my service exceeded that total, so put my own application in as a Christmas present to myself. On 21 December 2024, I received confirmation that I was now the record holder: 52 years and 98 days.
"There have been so many changes over those years. The uniform went from hairy blues, with collar detached shirts, to shirts of all shades of blue, beltless number ones, thunderbirds jackets, various macs, number ones with belts, and all manner of DPM.
"In 1970 I was paid in pounds, shillings and pence. There was a Far East Air Force, a Near East Air Force, RAF Germany and goodness knows how many home bases. Personnel stood at 108,800 with 60 plus Squadrons at home and abroad.
"In service I learned to drive, ski, sail, shoot, parachute, dive, and play all manner of sports. I also hope I learned how to be a good citizen, with Christine encouraging and supporting me all the way."
