Thames Valley Wing hit a milestone recently when they celebrated 20 years of Field Craft Training at Bramley Training Area. The 1,000 acre site has housed many cadet activities over the years including Wing Challenge events, DofE expeditions and Tactical Leadership Camps.
To celebrate the anniversary, almost 100 Cadets and Staff braved Autumnal showers for an exercise that tested their leadership skills to the full. Continue reading
WO Jim Palmer of 2403 (Aldermaston) Squadron was amongst 22 Air Cadet Instructors from all over the UK were recognised for their community based learning achievements by Admiral the Lord West of Spithead who presented the awards at the recent CVQO graduation ceremony, at the prestigious Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth, in front of colleagues, families and friends.
They were presented with a City and Guilds Senior Award in Youth Management and Training, comparable to Foundation, Honours and Master’s degrees and achieved through their work as a Cadet Force Adult Volunteers. Continue reading
Royal Air Force blue met Army green recently when cadets from 2403 (Aldermaston) Squadron, Air Training Corps spend the day at the Army Air Corps home base at Middle Wallop in Hampshire.
The group of staff and cadets were shown the full extent of the helicopter operations of the Army Air Corps from engineering and maintenance through to armament and the methods by which the helicopters themselves are supported when operating away from their home base. As part of the visit the cadets were able to explore the lynx battlefield utility helicopter and also managed to get close up to the awesome Apache attack helicopter which made a lasting impression on the entire group. Continue reading
Cadets from 2403 (Aldermaston) and 1391 (Romsey) Squadrons, Air Training Corps have spent the weekend experiencing life in the Royal Navy and seeing the work of the police elements of both the Royal Air Force and the Army.
The 14 cadets and 4 staff were accommodated aboard the National Cadet Forces Training and Accommodation Ship HMS Bristol and from there undertook a series of visits which encompassed all three of the UK armed forces. The first of these visits was to the Historic Dockyard complex in Portsmouth where the cadets were able to see the equipment and role of the modern Royal Navy through their interactive “Action Stations” exhibit. Continue reading
Over the past month, a team of cadets from Wallingford Squadron Air Training Corps (ATC) has been taking part in competitions against other cadets in the south west.
Every year, cadets from all 27 squadrons in Thames Valley Wing compete against each other in several events, including photography, best website, aircraft recognition, drill and public speaking. The winning individuals and teams then go on to represent the Wing at the South West Region event. Continue reading
The Duchess of Gloucester has officially opened the new, purpose built, headquarters for Thames Valley Wing as part of the recently completed Edward Brookes Barracks near Abingdon. The new barracks cost £4 million to build, and alongside the Air Cadets hub, also houses elements of the Territorial Army.
The site has been named after the Edward Brooks, a former Territorial Army hero, who was awarded the Victoria Cross in 1917 and many of Sgt Major Brooks’ family attended the opening. His three grandchildren said they were extremely proud the barracks had been named in his honour. Continue reading
he Cadets of 459 (Windsor) Squadron have proved that training does really count by winning the Thames Valley Wing Challenge event in style.
The team of 8 cadets based in the Royal Borough of Windsor have been training hard for 3 months ready to take on the 21 teams at the annual event held each July at Bramley Training Area near Basingstoke. This year the events included field craft, leadership exercises, a night exercise, orienteering together with a multitude of other exciting activities. Continue reading
Air Commodore Gammage was guest of honour at Thames Valley Wing’s recent celebratory dinner.
Held at RAF Brize Norton, over 70 staff, Civilian Committee members, Instructor Cadets, friends and partners enjoyed an evening of top-class, candle lit hospitality in the Officers Mess with the evening run along the lines of a traditional dining in night. Continue reading
Sqn Ldr Stephen New, Deputy Wing Commander for Thames Valley Wing, has been awarded a MBE in the Queens Birthdays Honours List.
Sqn Ldr New has served the Corps for 34 years and is still counting! His adult ATC service commenced in 1974; he was warranted in 1976, commissioned in 1985 and commanded 2267 (Brize Norton) Squadron from 1987 to 1998. He joined Wing Staff in 1998 and was promoted to Squadron Leader in 2002. Continue reading
Sqn Ldr Duncan Mason, an ex-Cadet of Wokingham Squadron and current Harrier pilot, has joined the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight as a Hurricane Pilot.
To get prepared for the forthcoming display season Sqn Ldr Mason has been training on the Chipmunk and has just completed his first solo on the Hurricane. Continue reading