A trial has been held by Thames Valley Wing East & West Sectors to explore how to help Squadrons deliver the Field Craft “Are You On Target” foundation module.

The initial trial was held at Bramley Training Area and focussed on the Foundation level of field craft in which cadets learn how to look after themselves in the field including lessons on hygiene, kit maintenance, cooking, shelter building and basic patrolling. Completing this day long training course means they can now sign up for the Wing’s Tactical Leader Camp’s. Continue reading →

Cadets from 381 (Reading) Squadron joined forces with 1039 (Gillingham) Squadron to brush up on their field craft skills recently at Bramley Training Area in North Hampshire.

Under the expert guidance of the staff and older cadets, newer cadets learnt about the basics of personal administration and cooking in the field, right through to camouflage, concealment and patrolling. The skills learnt were put into practice on a navigation based night exercise as well as a team based “capture the flag” day exercise on the Sunday. Continue reading →

The cadets and staff from 211 (Newbury) Squadron have narrowly beaten rivals 2507 (Bicester) Squadron in the Marshall Trophy – a competition to find the best Squadron in the Thames Valley. The trophy was collected by Commanding Officer Flt Lt Simon Cragg in his last duty as Squadron boss before moving to become Wing Staff Officer.

Sector Commander, Squadron Leader Mark Trevena, was pleased to see the trophy returning to West Berkshire “Newbury have always performed really well in the Marshal Trophy and I am really pleased they have won the silverware against some really strong competition with Bicester just a single point behind them”. Continue reading →

On a very cold Sunday 24 February, 54 cadets and 40 staff and friends, from 10 Squadrons across Thames Valley Wing, attended the Madjeski Stadium in Reading to see London Irish play London Wasps in the Aviva Premiership Rugby.  The event was organised between the RAF Benevolent Fund and London Irish, with the Club offering concessionary tickets to all within the RAF community, with a donation on RAF/ATC ticket sales towards the Fund.

Whilst an RAF Recruiting Trailer, and the Wing’s WASP Media trailer, demonstrated the ‘Light-Blue’ presence outside the Ground, the cadets enjoyed ‘team’ photos on the pitch before the match, and then provided a Guard of Hour, tunnel-lining party, for the teams as they came out for the second-half. Continue reading →

Fifteen cadets and staff from Thames Valley Wing have just returned from the 2013 Alpine Adventure ski trip in Bavaria, Germany. Alpine Adventure is a well established ATC activity that has been running for nearly 20 years and provides the opportunity for up to 80 cadets to either learn to ski, or to improve their skiing techniques.

The Thames Valley Wing cadets formed part of the South West Region contingent, staying at a 14th Century Mill in Wertach, along with cadets from Region, as well as others from Manchester, Middlesex and Kent. Continue reading →

Cadets and staff from 2403 (Aldermaston) Squadron have been busy brushing up on Field Craft skills at their local Wasing training area. After an overcast and foggy start to the day the cadets and staff were blessed with the first rays of Spring sunshine later in the day.

After a revision session the cadets, led by Squadron boss Flight Lieutenant Penny Palmer, Flight Sergeant Chris Randall and Civilian Instructor Mark Beddoes, spent the rest of the day learning new skills working in small teams to complete a number of tasks which became more complex during the day. Continue reading →

Cadets throughout Oxford, Berkshire and Hampshire will now be experiencing the fun and thrills of Archery following 11 staff and cadets completing ArcheryUK’s Leader Award.

Hosted by 211 (Newbury) Squadron, the 4 day course allowed staff from various Air Cadet Squadrons from Thames Valley Wing and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wing to learn about delivering safe and enjoyable archery sessions to their cadets. Continue reading →

Continue reading →

What are the chances of spotting a letter of Air Cadet interest and in so doing, establishing communications with an ex-cadet from the 1950s? Well that is exactly what happened when the OC of 2210 (Cowley) squadron, Flight Lieutenant Nigel Furlong spotted an article in the Oxford Mail.

The letter to the paper was written by 70 year old Mr Bryan Cole, formerly of Oxford but, since 1975 a resident of Adelaide, South Australia. In his subsequent letter to Flight Lieutenant Furlong he said: Continue reading →