Situated in the heart of the Vale of the White Horse, 1861 (Wantage) Squadron has been serving the towns of Wantage, Faringdon and the surrounding villages with opportunities and activities for aviation interested young people since 1941.
During the recent lock down period, Thames Valley Wing of the RAF Air Cadets moved to using online platforms to continue activities for our cadets. 217 of our air cadets have completed radio communications and cyber security training courses during this time and we even trained 10 adult volunteers as instructors.
The radio communications and cyber security training is highly beneficial to the cadets, as it improves their knowledge of cyber security, social media safety and how to protect themselves and their devices from malware and viruses. Continue reading →
On the 16th of April, some of our cadets put on their uniform and clapped at eight o’clock along with many others in the region. We did this to say thank you to all the hard working; carers, doctors, nurses and other workers within the NHS, that are putting themselves in risk to help those with Covid-19.
Well done to all cadets and adult volunteers who took part in the South West Region sports day covering rugby, netball, football and hockey and congratulations to all who were selected for the South West region teams.
Thames valley Wing undertook a multi activity training weekend staying onboard HMS Bristol, a Royal Navy destroyer docked in Portsmouth and used as a training facility. Our cadets participated in training for first aid, leadership, instructional techniques, NCO command training for Junior and Senior NCOs and weapons handling and safety training.
Thames Valley Wing Air Cadets are not just about flying and gliding! Our cadets were out in force this weekend shooting the L144 .22 target rifle polishing their marksmanship skills
In the months from September to October, a little more than 100 cadets took part in Thames Valley Wing Air Cadets’ fieldcraft courses. Also known as the ‘Tactical Leadership Courses’, they culminated in a blank firing exercise with cadets, a first for the Wing. Throughout, cadets were given progressive opportunities to learn and demonstrate skills from camouflage and concealment to section-level tactics with training ammunition, all whilst developing their communication, teamwork and leadership skills. Continue reading →
Thames Valley Wing participated in this year’s Airborne March, which is part of the commemorations of the Battle for Arnhem in the Netherlands in 1944. The Airborne March is in memory to the 1750 plus British and Polish soldiers who lost their lives in the Battle of Arnhem in September 1944 and who are buried in the War Cemetery at Oosterbeek. The March takes place on the first Saturday in September each year. The first march was held in 1947. Further information on the Airborne March is available from: http://www.airbornewandeltocht.nl/en/airborne/44-background_airborne_march
Thames Valley Wing had 79 cadets and volunteer staff participate in 10 and 15 KM route marches as part of this event.
Thames Valley Wing’s objectives for this event were:
for cadets and adult volunteers to participate in the Arnhem March representing the Royal Air Force Air Cadets;
to learn about the Battle of Arnhemby visiting significant locations of the battle, the Airborne Museum Oosterbeek and to commemorate the Battle of Arnhem paying their respects at the War Cemetery Oosterbeek;
Should you be interested in participating next year, there are places available with Thames Valley Wing’s contingent. Please contact Flt Lt Nigel Furlong, Contingent Commander and Officer Commanding 2210 Cowley Squadron via our contact form
Cadets and staff have recently undertaken two fieldcraft weekends with almost 90 cadets and staff being trained.
The first weekend focused on cadet fieldcraft skills with some of the cadets even sleeping under the stars in bivouacs with none of their normal luxuries. That alone is tough enough but to then add two days of intense and relentless training makes their achievement all the more significant. Continue reading →
Woodley Air cadets have been crowned Athletics champs after an action packed day of competitions Abingdon’s Tilsley Park stadium. In taking the win they narrowly beat Slough and Britwell units from a field of almost 200 cadets from 14 Squadrons from right across Berkshire and Oxfordshire. The winners in each of the competitions will now go forward to represent Thames Valley Wing at the South West Region championships. Continue reading →
Thames Valley Wing played a lead role when over 700 RAF Air Cadets and Adult Volunteers from across the South West Region proudly celebrated RAF100 with an unprecedented parade through the streets of Windsor. With the iconic Windsor Castle in the background, the parade drew hundreds of people onto the streets to watch as a sea of light blue took over the Royal Berkshire town for the day. Continue reading →
Situated in the heart of the Vale of the White Horse, 1861 (Wantage) Squadron has been serving the towns of Wantage, Faringdon and the surrounding villages with opportunities and activities for aviation interested young people since 1941.
On the 16th of April, some of our cadets put on their uniform and clapped at eight o’clock along with many others in the region. We did this to say thank you to all the hard working; carers, doctors, nurses and other workers within the NHS, that are putting themselves in risk to help those with Covid-19.
