The cadets and staff of 1116 are workers and winners helping each other through the use of team work to achieve common goals.
1116 (Woodley) Sqn have recently been busy raising funds and purchased some raft building equipment which was recently used for the first time on a Squadron run team building activity at a local lake in Woodley. Continue reading
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
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.”
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
East & West Sectors of Thames Valley Wing have been training together at Bramley Training Area in Hampshire to undertake a variety of “Are You On Target?” activities. Cadets travelled from across Berkshire to the local ACF Weekend Training Centre to boost their skills and to work with staff and cadets from another Sector and other Squadrons.
Based at the Berkshire ACF Weekend Training Centre almost 40 cadets and 12 staff have provided training in Heartstart, Fieldcraft Introduction, Fieldcraft Development, Fieldcraft Leadership, No 8 Rifle Training, NNAS Navigation Training, Camps and a development package for potential Cadet NCO’s. Continue reading
With a long standing relationship between the ATC and RAFA (Royal Air Force Association) many squadrons across the year take part in events to raise money for the RAFA Wings Appeal. 1116 (Woodley) Squadron recently raised £500 for their local branch and the top two cadets were awarded prizes for their efforts in supporting the Wings appeal http://www.rafa.org.uk/get-involved/wings-appeal . The 2 cadets were awarded the prizes by 2 members of the local RAFA branch who visited the squadron to pass on their thanks to the cadets for their efforts. Continue reading
Every year in February cadets and staff celebrate the formation of the Air Training Corps with church services and parades known as ATC Sunday. This allows squadrons to parade through their local towns and villages and show the ATC presence in their local communities. This year 1116 (Woodley) and 2499 (Wokingham) Squadrons celebrated in a different means by taking part in a day full of the core sports within the ATC. Cadets took part in football, netball and hockey to celebrate the 73rd anniversary of the ATC.
Did your squadron celebrate ATC Sunday? Send your stories to media.thamesvalley@aircadets.org to be featured.
Each January staff and staff cadets from across the wing gather at RAF Halton to attend the annual Wing Training Day. This provides the opportunity to find out the latest changes on subjects such as the ‘Duke of Edinburgh’s Award’ and syllabus training. Staff also reflect back on the previous year and look ahead to ensure that the cadet experience is been delivered to the best of the ability of squadrons and wing staff within Thames Valley. This year’s training day saw a visit by Gp Capt Cole from RAF Brize Norton who provided an insight into the RAF as it currently stands and updates on RAF Brize Norton with the introduction of the Voyager fleet and upcoming arrival of the Atlas fleet. Continue reading
Staff development within Thames Valley Wing is co-ordinated and delivered by the ‘Training and Development Team’ which has recently been expanded which some new staff members. Leading the team Sdn Ldr Johnson is OC TDSU (Training Development and Support Unit) who ensures that cadets and staff are offered all the correct training including but not limited to Instructor Cadet Courses, Cadet Youth 1st Aid and Staff Cadet Courses for those cadets turning 18 years old. Continue reading