23 Cadets and 11 Staff from Thames Valley Wing organised and attended the 2014 Wing AT Camp at NACATC Llanbedr at the end of May.
After some careful planning and paperwork the week started with a journey to North Wales on a coach, after settling into the camp and receiving various briefs the Cadets and Staff were split into 3 groups. We archived our aim of delivering a jammed packed and varied programme giving the Cadets a taster in each of the core AT activities. Continue reading
2267 (Brize Norton) Squadron recently helped their local RAFA branch by helping the people of the Cotswolds enjoy a fun-filled day of activities at this year’s Lechlade Duck Race on Bank Holiday Monday. More than 4,000 plastic ducks, sponsored by residents, visitors and businesses including Brize Norton squadron’s own duck named ‘Colin’, were released into the River Thames from the top of Halfpenny Bridge before travelling 250 metres downriver in a race to the finish line. Continue reading
On Sunday 4 May cadets from the 966 (Wallingford) Sqn assisted at RAF Benson 75th Anniversary celebrations which were held in Benson village.
Early in the morning 16 cadets assembled to carry out their first assigned task which was to deploy as crowd control when first a Merlin and then a Puma Mk2 helicopter landed on the village playing field. Continue reading
The Thames Valley Adventure Training Team organised a weekend of climbing, abseiling , kayaking, open canoeing, trekking, orienteering, camping skills and team building at Foxlease in the New Forest on a wet weekend in April.
Over the weekend Cadets from Brize Norton, Cowley, Woodley and Chipping Norton braved the very wet weather and took part in the activities above. As well as the activities we also covered some of the First Class training syllabus around Basic Map reading and Initial Expedition Training.
FS Chris Harding of Burghfield Squadron who organised the event said “Even with the constant rain for the whole weekend the Cadets and Staff stayed in high spirits and enjoyed a varied Adventure Training experience across the core activities mentioned in “Are You On Target?” . I’d like to extend my thanks to the ACO staff for transporting the Cadets and their assistance with organising and running all the activities.”
On a brisk Sunday morning on the 20th April, Air Cadets and Army Cadets from Kidlington took time out from their weekend to help out at the OX5 Run at Blenheim Palace. The run itself was 5 miles long and in aid of the Oxfordshire Children’s Hospital; last year it raised almost £100,000 for the charity. This year was the 12th consecutive run with over 1400 entrants. Continue reading
2267 (Brize Norton) squadron were recently asked to support “The Stinger” London Wasps vs Gloucester Rugby match at Twickenham. The squadron were invited on behalf of the Royal Air Force to participate in the opening ceremony for this fixture at the home of English Rugby. Taking 12 cadets who were present alongside members of the ACO National Marching Band who were performing at the event following their annual camp and who were invited to also provide a contingent.
The cadets started the day with several rehearsals, followed by a full dress rehearsal on the pitch whilst Little Mix the x-factor contestants did their own warm-up. Continue reading
Cadets and staff from across Thames Valley Wing came together for the first wing band workshop on Sunday, 23rd March. The newly formed band played a range of pieces such as The Great Escape, Those Magnificent Men and Dam Busters. All of the cadets and staff had a fantastic time and the band members are looking forward to their first performance on Sunday, 6th April in Banbury to commemorate the local Army Reserves changing Regiments. Continue reading
24 cadets and a number of staff from Thames Valley wing attended the second in a series of weekend camps which Central sector visiting RAF Henlow. The majority of the cadets were new to their squadrons and this was their first camp with the ATC (Air Training Corps) and for some their first time staying away from home. Arriving on Friday evening all the cadets were briefed about the weekend by Sqn Ldr Senft who has organised the camps and everyone went off to their accommodation to get ready for a busy two days ahead. Continue reading
Air Cadets from 2499 (Wokingham) & 1116 (Woodley) Squadron have successfully completed the Foundation Amateur Radio course at the HQ of 2499 Squadron. Joined by a candidate from Reading Sea Cadets the Cadets were tutored in a range of radio theory from antennas and transceivers to Electro-Magnetic Compatibility.
Practical training and assessments were also completed in preparing radio equipment for use, tuning antennas and operating on the air on both the VHF and HF bands. Additionally each candidate completed an appreciation of Morse code sending and receiving. Continue reading
Each year many squadrons from across the wing will take party in charity events to raise funds or support their local communities. 26 cadets from 1996 (Earley) Squadron were joined by colleagues from 2402 (Burghfield) & 1116 (Woodley) Squadrons’ and ran a left-kit marque at the Reading Half Marathon on Sunday 2nd March. Despite the cold, the wind and the drizzle there were smiles a’plenty for the 10,000 runners who left their gear in the tent, as well as congratulations. Continue reading