RAF Benson in Oxfordshire was the location of top quality marching drill when some of the best cadets from across Oxfordshire and Berkshire attended the latest Supplementary Drill Course to be run by Thames Valley Wing Air Cadets.

Led by the Wing Warrant Officer, WO Jon Lambert ATC, a cadre of 7 instructors took 41 senior cadets under their wing and taught them everything from the intricacies of banner and ceremonial drill through to the skills required to pass that knowledge on to younger cadets on their own Squadrons. Continue reading →

Cadets from 1861 (Wantage) Sqn have attended a memorial service for Pilot Officer Dennis Holland from Chaddlesworth, a World War Two pilot with 72 Squadron who was killed in the Battle of Britain.

Pilot Officer Dennis ‘Dutch’ Holland began his flying career as a civil pilot and when war broke out in 1939 he had logged over 3,000 flying hours. Continue reading →

A team of cadets from Thames Valley Wing have come away from the South West Regional Activity Day with a haul of silverware and a respectable 3rd place overall.

Despite the unseasonable temperatures a team of cadets including those from Woodley, Windsor, Wantage, Wokingham, Reading and Earley took up the challenge in Squad Drill, Banner Drill, Websites, Media Skills, Aircraft Recognition, Aviation Art, Aero modelling and Photography. Continue reading →

In a nail biting finish the cadets of 381 (Reading) Squadron proved they were the best by winning the recent Wing Activities Day held at Edward Brooks Barracks near Abingdon.

Against the back drop of a deep blue sky and bright sunshine, 21 teams from across the Wing started the day in contention with a testing set of competitions ahead of them. This included Field Craft, Public Speaking, Adventure Training, First Aid, Aircraft Recognition, Foot Drill, Media Skills, Aviation Art, Photography, Website construction and Aero modelling. Continue reading →

Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire, Mrs Mary Bayliss JP, has presented prestigious awards at a glittering ceremony held at The Madjeski Stadium in Reading.

In addition to an meritorious award presented to the Wing Warrant Officer Jon Lambert, Cadet Flight Sergeant Omar from 211 (Newbury) squadron was appointed as Lord Lieutenants Cadet; a duty which will see him accompany Mrs Bayliss on high profile visits regularly involving members of the Royal Family. Continue reading →

Banbury Air Cadets were joined other cadets from Kidlington and Chipping Norton to celebrate Battle of Britain Sunday by parading through Banbury Town Centre.

Lead by the Squadron band the cadets, joined by contingents from the Sea Cadets, Army Cadets, Royal British Legion and Royal Air Force Association, marched through the town and past the world famous Banbury cross for a service and act of remembrance at St Mary’s Church. Continue reading →

Cadets from 1460 (Banbury) and 150 (City of Oxford) Squadrons have just returned from a Junior Cadet training weekend with a difference. Instead of just teaching them the theory, their staff had organised for them to have a real practical experience of what it means to be an Air Cadet!

During the weekend the cadets learnt all about Initial expedition training, Navigation, History of the RAF and flight and radio communications basing themselves at Rhydd Covert Scout Camp site next to the West Midlands Safari Park. Continue reading →

A team of Bracknell Air Cadets have shown that history repeats itself by winning the Thames Valley Swimming Championships for a 3rd time.

The competition saw almost 150 Air Cadets from 20 Air Cadet Squadrons from right across Berkshire and Oxfordshire compete for silver wear and medals at Cowley Temple Pool in Oxford. The team of Bracknell team looked very strong for the very start and ended up in top three in all of the categories assuring them of their win. Continue reading →

Cadet Flight Sergeant Oliver Omar took part in the International Air Cadet Exchange to Canada in July/August 2011. Representing the Squadron, Thames Valley Wing, and the Air Training Corps, he joined cadets from across the world to take part in the exchange. Here he describes some of the activities he took part in.

“In 1947 the first ever Air Cadet Exchange was between British and Canadian Air Cadets. Today the IACE family has grown to become twenty nations strong and still growing. I was delighted when I was selected to represent my Squadron 211 (Newbury) and Thames Valley Wing to join a group of nine cadets from all across Britain to represent the country in the 2011 IACE event in Canada. Continue reading →

Cadets from Thames Valley Wing took part in the Annual Formal Inspection of the Air Cadet Organisation whilst on summer camp at RAF Cosford.

Twelve cadets nick named “The Dirty Dozen” joined Air Vice Marshal Mark Green, AOC 22 (Training) Group and Air Commodore Barbara Cooper Commandant Air Cadet Organisation for an early morning PT session.  Continue reading →