Monthly Archives: May 2013

Oxfordshire Units March to Success

Thames Valley Wing of the Air Training Corps are in celebratory mood after their A Team won the best air cadet team award at the recent Royal Air Force Walking and Road Marching Association 2 day march held at Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering.

20130517_Oxfordshire_Units_March_to_Success_sub1The Wing are no strangers to this achievement as it is the third time Thames Valley have picked up this award under the guidance of their coach and leader; Flight Lieutenant Karl Kisley. Continue reading

Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award

Hundreds of young achievers from across the UK have a date in the prestigious setting of St. James’s Palace on Wednesday, 15th May 2013, including Fg Off Daniel Holden RAFVR(T) from 2267 (Brize Norton) Squadron.

Daniel was a staff member of South East Scotland Wing Air Training Corps where he achieved their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and travelled to London to receive his certificate from the DofE’s Patron and Founder – HRH The Duke of Edinburgh/Trustee and presented by Michael Palin OBE. Continue reading

Driving the Corps Forward

Once again the rural lands of Berkshire were transformed into a recruitment hunting ground as 2402 (Burghfield) Squadron went on the trail for new cadets.

The key behind the recruitment was the establishment of a key pitch at the Burghfield May Fayre, the Squadron being complimented for having presented a highly organised and professional display. This display was made up of a variety of key aspects including display boards, the Wing Recruitment gazebo and, in pride of place, the Wing aerospace platform (the WASP) which attracted many young enthusiasts who wanted to fly the simulator and were subsequently introduced to the variety of activities and opportunities that the Air Training Corps provides. Continue reading

Bicester cadets take a Liberty

2507 (Bicester) Squadron have been granted the Liberty of the Town in a glittering formal charter signing ceremony held at the offices of Bicester Town Council.

Having seen their original event postponed due to heavy snow, the Town Council were keen that the rearranged event be conducted with the fullest of pomp and ceremony. At the invitation of the Mayor, the attendees included the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, the Officer Commanding Thames Valley Wing Air Training Corps, Wing Commander Chris Fisher and the local Member of Parliament, the Honourable Tony Baldry MP. Continue reading

Brize Norton Squadron takes to the air

On a sunny Monday,  6th May, 8 cadets from 2267 (Brize Norton) Squadron headed over to 612 VGS at Abingdon for a day of flying on the Vigilant, powered glider. Following an early start from the squadron the cadets arrived to receive their safety brief along with the weather forecast and flying program for the day. The cadets then headed out onto the airfield to start their flying sorties to try and achieve their GIC 1, 2 or 3 with the possibility of then applying for a gliding scholarship in the future. Continue reading

Outdoor Climb for Brize Norton

On Saturday, 4th May 10 cadets from 2267 (Brize Norton) Squadron had an early start to travel to Bramley Training Area to take part in outdoor climbing organised by the staff from 211 (Newbury) Squadron. The cadets arrived and were briefed by CI Amin and CI Fitt who explained about the Leadership Area they would be working in and the importance of been safe not only while climbing but been around the wall. Once this had been completed the cadets all put on their harness and helmets and then headed over to the wall to begin their climbs and from the top the abseil down the other side. WO (ATC) Lowe was at the top of the climbing wall to help those that managed to reach the top and go through how to correctly abseil back down to earth. Continue reading