A BRADFORD girl has put herself and the city in the history books after winning a competition to name the HQ of UK Space Command.
Cadet Zulqarnain, 14, came up with the name ‘Protego’.
Thousands of cadets across the nation took part in the competition but in the end, Zulqarnain won.
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Officer Commanding 44F City of Bradford, Royal Airforce Air Cadets, One Officer, Daniel Rouse said: “We didn’t even know she had entered the competition but we were extremely proud when we found out."
We have lift-off! We are happy to announce the new name of our headquarters at @RAFHighWycombe.
— UK Space Command (@UKSpaceCmd) December 6, 2022
We received nearly 100 submissions from @SeaCadetsUK, @ArmyCadetsUK, @aircadets, and @CCFcadets units across the country. pic.twitter.com/3cbklAoy68
Cadet Zulqarnain had only been with the squadron for a month when she entered the competition.
UK Space Command is a joint command based at RAF High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire and is staffed by personnel from the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force, alongside civil servants and contractors.
He added: “She’s really put herself and the squadron in the history books.
“When people will look back at the Space Command HQ and wonder where the name came from or why it’s called ‘Protego’, Cadet Zulqarnain and Bradford will come up.
“She’s represented the squadron really well and she’s used the initiative that we teach her, she’s seen the competition and thought I want to do that, and then gone and done it.
“We are extremely proud of her.”
Cadet Zulqarnain said: "After thorough research, I found the Latin word protego which means to defend and protect.
"I felt it would be the perfect name for the UK space command and reflected beautifully why the space command exists.
"It’s a Joint Command, with personnel from the Royal Navy, British Army, and the Royal Air Force, it will command and control all the UK’s Defence capabilities in space, and what better name than protego to reflect this amazing operation.
"I am ecstatic and grateful that I won and that I was given a chance to represent my amazing and supportive squadron the 44f in a positive manner."
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