The Royal Air Force Air Cadets is at the forefront of STEM activities and last week the Cadets from 2410 (Didcot) Squadron were learning new skills in robotics and programming with the aid of battery operated tracked vehicles.

We won’t be stopping there, with more STEM activities in planning for the Air Cadets of Didcot.

Cadets from 2410 (Didcot) Squadron have returned to the air with 622 Volunteer Gliding Squadron of the RAF Air Cadets at Upavon Airfield in the Viking T1 glider.

As our return to service picks up we look forwards to taking part in the full range of activities on offer including further gliding and eventually powered flying.

After more than a year of virtual only activities 2410 (Didcot) Squadron is back at our Headquarters in Newlands Avenue!

Tonight our volunteers welcomed back our Cadet NCOs and we look forwards to seeing the rest of the Squadron over the course of the month and delivering face to face activities safely and covid securely.

We are back! After more than a year since the first lockdown paused all Air Cadet activity the Cadets and Staff of 2410 (Didcot) Squadron have met for their first face-to-face event of 2021 for a day walk in the Oxfordshire countryside around Blewbury.
We will be returning to parade nights in May and can’t wait to see what we can accomplish over the coming year.

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 →

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 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