24 cadets and a number of staff from Thames Valley wing attended the second in a series of weekend camps which Central sector visiting RAF Henlow. The majority of the cadets were new to their squadrons and this was their first camp with the ATC (Air Training Corps) and for some their first time staying away from home. Arriving on Friday evening all the cadets were briefed about the weekend by Sqn Ldr Senft who has organised the camps and everyone went off to their accommodation to get ready for a busy two days ahead. Continue reading →

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 →

ach year Thames Valley Wing holds its Inter Squadron bowling competition at RAF Brize Norton where the squadrons get together before the Christmas break with each squadron been allowed to enter 2 teams. With the event always being a good day out for the cadets and staff this year’s event was no exception with everyone enjoying themselves and some good scores been achieved at the end of the day.

459 (Windsor) Squadron provide their story on how the competition went for the squadron on the day. Continue reading →

During the October half term 28 cadets and 8 staff from Thames Valley Wing headed to RAF Linton-on-Ouse for their autumn camp on an operational, RAF station. It was a busy week for the cadets as they got to experience activities both on and off base, experience what life is like on an RAF station and meet new people with 17 of the wings squadrons been represented at the camp. For many of the cadets this was their first week long camp and were kept very busy with lots of activities and chance to discover what happens on an RAF base. Continue reading →

On Saturday 26^th and Sunday 27^th October 2013 cadets from 155 (Maidenhead), 381 (Reading), 447 (Henley-on-Thames), 966 (Wallingford), 1861 (Wantage), 1996 (Early), 2210 (Cowley) and 2410 (Didcot) squadrons took part in the monthly TASER (Training And Shooting ExpeRience) weekend held at 447 (Henley-on-Thames) squadron.

The hugely successful weekend saw 19 cadets trained for the first time on the number 8 rifle meeting their first goal on the shooting section of the wing wide ‘Are You On Target’ initiative. Continue reading →

On the weekend of 19^th September cadets from across Central Sector attend Youlby Sector camp to take part in a fieldcraft weekend aimed at new cadets to prepare them for more advanced level fieldcraft such as the TLC (Tactical Leadership Course) run by Thames Valley Wing. Cadets from 966 (Wallingford), 1861 (Wantage), 2120 (Witney), 2121 (Abingdon), 2267 (Brize Norton) and 2410 (Didcot) had a busy weekend learning a range of skills including striking a camp, field cooking, orienteering, camouflage and concealment and field shelters. This new knowledge was then put to the test with a night exercise to combine all their new skills and team building by working with cadets who they have never met before. Continue reading →

1861 (Wantage) Squadron Civilian Committee member, Louise Preece is a healthy 40-year-old mother of one but on October 1, she undertook a voluntary operation to have both her breasts removed – a decision she hopes will prevent her developing the same cancer which is slowly killing her mum.

Mrs Preece, from Grove, near Wantage, underwent a 14-hour double mastectomy at the John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford, which surgeons hope will reduce her chances of developing cancer from 80% to just 8%. Doctors have told her they think she could share the same cancer gene with her mother. Although there is no test to prove whether she has it, a faulty gene can increase the risk of developing breast cancer. Continue reading →

Each year cadets and staff from across Thames Valley wing gather at Wing HQ to take part in the various competitions that make up the wing activities day. With an early start for many squadrons cadets arrive ready to compete in a range of events show casing the skills they have learnt whilst being in the Air Training Corps. The event shows a high level of standards across all disciplines and this year was no exception across all the entries and levels of participation by the cadets.

With over 200 cadets at WAD 2013 squadrons took part in a range of events including the following: Aircraft Recognition, Aviation Art, Drill, Media Skills, Aero modelling, Photography, Public speaking and website entries. Continue reading →

One of the highlights of the wing sporting calendar saw 130 cadets take part in the Wing Swimming Championships at Temple Cowley Swimming Pool on Saturday, 7^th September. Cadets arrived in high spirits ready to swim likes fishes and gain points for their squadrons to try and take home the combined trophy from the day.

As the first races started it was clear there was some excellent swimmers within the wing and the competition was going to be tough. Continue reading →