On Thursday 26th April, Earley Squadron had it’s Annual Formal Inspection. This annual event was our opportunity for the Squadron’s cadets to showcase their skills, talents and achievements to both parents and wing staff. This year, the inspecting officer was Deputy Wing Commander Thames Valley Wing, Squadron Leader Trevena, who was accompanied by Warrant Officer Twigg as the inspecting Warrant Officer.
The evening started with a formal inspection of the cadets as well as a drill routine, following which cadets gave presentations to the inspecting party and parents on both squadron and individual highlights of the past year including the Squadron Skills camp earlier this year and how some cadets are training to do their Gold DofE expedition in France later this Summer.
After refreshments provided by the Squadrons Civilian Committee, the evening concluded with the enrolment of our 15 new cadets by the Squadrons Padre, The Rev Philip Hobday, and the Wing Padre, the Rev Charles Lewis. A number of awards and badges were also given out following a intensive period of training earlier this year. These were given to cadets who had achieved the Air Cadets Foundation Leadership Award, Heartstart Award, Trained Shot on the Air Rifle, and to those who had achieved their Master Air Cadet classification. A well deserving cadet was also promote to Corporal.
On Friday 4th May 2018, cadets of 2120 (Witney) Squadron received their annual review under the watchful eye of Air Vice Marshal G M Russell RAF, Director Helicopters at Defence Equipment and Supply.
Parading at the new Joint Cadet Centre, the Cadets and staff provided a formal parade to watching parents and civic dignitaries from across the district, including the District Chairman, Councillor Norman MacRae MBE, the Bishop of Dorchester, the Right Reverend Colin Fletcher OBE and Mr Robert Courts, our local member of Parliament.
Following the parade, the new Joint Cadet Centre which the Squadron has waited for following the closure of its last Headquarters seventeen years ago, was officially opened with a blessing and prayer which led to a ribbon cutting by Cadet Emilia Belardo, assisted by Air Vice Marshal Russell, Bishop Colin and Mr Courts MP.
153 Slough Squadron had 47 cadets on Parade. We had enjoyable presentations on 100 Years of the RAF, my 6 months as a Cadet and Athletics. Help for heroes also spoke to the cadets and we presented them with a cheque, fund raised by back packing, for £150.
On Monday 14th May, 2477 (Britwell) Squadron was formally inspected for their AFI by DepWCO Sqn Ldr Trevena, accompanied by the Wing Warrant Officer, WO Anderson.
31 cadets were Inspected on Parade, many being junior cadets and recently joined. Distinguished guests included the President of the Cippenham Branch of the Royal British Legion and the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal Co-Ordinator. After the Inspection, the senior cadets demonstrated their foot drill skills adapting the new drill sequence. Light refreshments were then served and the Inspecting Officer team met the staff and committee. This was followed by a tour of the Squadron HQ and visits to various training activities and displays including our state of the art flight sim. A ‘hot dog’ snack was then served to all at break followed by a video presentation of all the activities achieved over a year. Final parade included ‘Heartstart’ presentations; classification presentations and 2 promotions to Cpl. The President of the Royal British Legion, Cippenham also presented the Squadron an award for collecting the highest amount of money for the Poppy Appeal in our district. Squadron Commander, WO Gary Rawlings concludes
‘It was a considerably busy evening and went very quickly. The cadets were extremely smart and well presented and actually thoroughly enjoyed ‘showing off’ their Squadron’
