A team of 4 cadets from 2499 (Wokingham) Squadron have lifted the prestigious Nowell Cup trophy in a tough, shoulder to shoulder, shoot off with the Army Cadets.
The competition held annually at Reading’s Brock Barracks is a test of marksmanship using small-bore rifles on a 25 metre range. Each firer has to fire two shots against 5 separate bull eye targets – a tough discipline requiring a steady aim and solid skills. Continue reading
Fourteen cadets from 211 Newbury Squadron were joined last weekend by two from 1861 Wantage Squadron for 36 hours of field craft training. The cadets arrived on Saturday loaded with kit and ready for their first task, a one mile walk to the spot that was to be their home for the next thirty six hours – a field! The group included cadets who were experiencing their first taste of field craft and they were all quick to learn and practice the skills taught and demonstrated by the eight staff members involved. The cadets were split into flights for the training which included the basics of field craft including building bivvies, cooking their rations, personal admin and for some spending their first night sleeping outside. During the day they also learnt the finer points of camouflage and concealment, patrolling and contact drills, some basic first aid, use of radios and the duties of a sentry. Continue reading
The Squadron’s headquarters at St Michaels Road hosted an Open Day for parents of cadets and invited guests including Newbury’s Mayor, Councillor Dr Ian Grose. There was a formal parade and presentation of the years trophies and an opportunity to show off the Marshall Trophy which was awarded to the Squadron last December. This trophy is an annual award to the most successful Squadron in the Wing. Continue reading
Air Cadets from across Thames Valley Wing, came together at 211 (Newbury) Squadron’s Cadet Forces Centre to take part in a joint weapons training event. The Cadets from Newbury, Wallingford, Wantage, Abingdon & Burghfield Squadrons undertook a comprehensive training package covering safety around the range, as well as specific training on one of two rifles according to their age and experience. Continue reading
It was wide eyes all round when staff and cadets from 1861 (Wantage) Squadron, Air Training Corps spent the day with 28 (AC) Squadron, Royal Air Force at RAF Benson and were treated to a VIP look around their Merlin helicopters.
The activity was devised in order to allow a number of the younger members of the Squadron to see the workings of the RAF at close quarters and 28 squadron, operators of one of the most modern aircraft in RAF service seemed to be the most appropriate unit to observe. Continue reading
After a weekend swinging from ropes, navigating wire courses and crossing rope bridges Instructors from across the Thames Valley are now ready and qualified to work with cadets on Low Ropes Courses. The European Ropes Course Association accredited training was delivered by Vertex Training near Corfe Castle in Dorset.
The weekend started with the vital skill of safe operation before moving through some of different types of exercises and the positive methods of reviewing teams. The weekend concluded with written and practical assessments of all of the course members by Vertex Training in order to qualify for the industry standard ERCA accreditation. Continue reading
RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire was the location for the first training course of 2011 when 8 new members of adult staff were given an introduction to the structure, roles and policies of the Air Training Corps and Thames Valley Wing. Continue reading
The Thames Valley Wing Marching Team have started their training with an aim of being selected for the world famous Nijmegen Marches held in Holland each July. The team have a lot to live up to as they are past multiple winners of the prestigious Jon Ford Trophy for being the best Air Cadet team in the marches as well as having a reputation for marching at a strong pace, beating many regular service teams along the way! Continue reading