Cadets from 1315 (Kidlington), 1460 (Banbury), 2210 (Cowley) Squadrons and cadets from Kidlington Detachment Army Cadet Force visited the US Air Force 422nd Airbase Group at RAF Croughton.
The day started with a welcome and mission briefing of RAF Croughton’s role within the USAFE (United States Air Force Europe) by the Commanding Officer, ColonelJ. Mellars USAF. Following this we were then taken on Section tours of the base. Firstly we were given a very interesting ceremonial display by the Base’s Honour Guard and learned the importance of the American Flag in their culture. We then moved onto the Base Fire Department, here we were given demonstrations of a rope rescue on how to retrieve a casualty from the roof of a building and to how to tackle a burning building with a fire simulation. We then moved onto the Satellite Communication facility where the cadets were given a tour and a briefing on what the Satellite Communication facilities role is within the communications of the USAF and NATO and how they communicate throughout the world, this included an exciting climb up one of the satellite dishes
Following a great American lunch and 10 Pin Bowling in the Base’s 12 Frame Café and Bowl, we moved onto the Security Forces section. Here we were shown how the Base Security Force operates and the varied roles it plays from base defence to local police force, finally we were given an insight as to the weapons and the methods of arrest used including TASER deployment.
We would like to thank the USAFE at RAF Croughton for their hospitality and for giving us the opportunity to interact with the US Forces.