Welcome to Thames Valley Wing

What did you do last weekend

We hope you enjoy looking through all of the activities on offer to aviation and aerospace inspired young people throughout Oxfordshire and Berkshire.

We are sure that you will be interested in joining our team whether it is as a cadet or as an adult volunteer.

Please feel free to browse the site and contact us if you require any further information.

Brize Cadets in Clear Sight

As part of the long term sponsorship between AirTanker Services and 2267 (Brize Norton) Air Cadet Squadron the company provided every cadet with new, high visibility jackets to help keep the cadets safe and seen. With many of the cadets walking between their home and the squadron each night it helps to ensure safety as the number one priority for all the cadets which matches the safety ethos of AirTanker.

The high visibility jackets are also used by the cadets when out on their Duke of Edinburgh expeditions to be clearly seen on the country lanes or out supporting charity events such as the Carterton 10k. As from the photo it won’t be hard now to miss the Air Cadets out and about proudly showing the partnership between AirTanker Services and the Brize Norton Air Cadets.

Air Cadets Train on Their Own Flight Simulation Facility

On Tuesday, 11th June, 2267 (Brize Norton) Air Cadet’s played host to RAF Brize Norton Station Commander, Gp Cpt S Lushington ADC MA RAF who as part of his visit opened the newly installed flight simulator. The simulator has been a long project for the unit in terms of fundraising and receiving grants to allow the cadets the opportunity to develop their airmanship skills and support the Air Experience Flying offered on the Grob Tutor and Vigilant gliders.

FS Naworynsky, Sgt Buchanan and Cpl Woolliams who are all senior cadets at the squadron that have achieved a number of gliding qualifications with 2 currently instructors at 612 VGS at Abingdon explained how the simulator will support the cadets understanding of flying. Continue reading

Llanbedr 2013

May 2013 saw cadets and staff from across Thames Valley Wing put the corps motto Venture Adventure into practice at our National Air Cadet Adventure Training Centre Llanbedr, North Wales.

A sunny start to the summer has seen the Wing rife with adventure training opportunities from squadrons out walking in the sunshine, to indoor climbing and the Wing Adventure Training day that took place 2 weeks ago where we enjoyed a day of climbing and canoeing. All this has meant a busy few months for the Adventure Training staff, all this fun however kicked off on the 18th of May with the staff being joined at Edward Brooke Barracks by 4 eager cadets from all over the Wing. Cadets Joe Morrison, Tom Barnden, Libby Parsons and Emma Popovic were about to be immersed in a week of nonstop adventure training. Here is how the week went for them. Continue reading

Exercise Fallen Angel – Fieldcraft Training with Newbury

211 (Newbury) squadron were recently joined by cadets and staff from 2293 (Marlborough) and 1996 (Earley) squadrons to take part in Exercise Fallen Angel, a 3 night fieldcraft exercise at Bramley Training Area.

Starting on Friday evening, the cadets arrived at the training area with all their kit in tow and after a quick safety brief and deciding on flights, the two teams found their “bivvi” area where they would sleep for the night and began setting up. 24 hour ration packs were to be the food of choice for the weekend, and the cadets had to patrol tactically to their “drop-zone” and wait for the “helicopter” to insert them into their area. Continue reading

Paddlesport & Climbing Day

With summer finally here, cadets & staff from Thames Valley Wing took to the water & climbing wall at Adventure Dolphin in Pangbourne for the Wing’s Multiactivity Adventure Training Day. 12 cadets and 4 staff members from across the Thames Valley attended the event, with all enjoying the warm weather and sunshine!

Following an introduction into what the day would involve, the cadets were split into two groups to tackle morning’s respective challenges. The first being a taxing “throw the shoe” warm up lead by CI Ollie Holman of 2402 squadron. Following this, the flights went their separate ways – an introduction to Paddlesport in open canoes or tackling 9 challenging climbing routes on the climbing wall. Continue reading

Success for Wallingford Squadron Cadets

Every year cadets from 966 (Wallingford) Sqn compete with the Wallingford detachment of the Army Cadet Force for two awards presented by the local Branch of the Royal British Legion.  This year, on 30 May, the squadron pulled off a hat-trick by winning both the awards.  Following an interview of the nominated cadets from both organisations by the Wallingford RBL, it was decided to present the ‘Cadet of the Year Award 2013’ to FS Sally Evans and the ‘Tony Smith Memorial Shield Award 2013’ to Sgt Tamara Simmons.  Continue reading

Oxfordshire Units March to Success

Thames Valley Wing of the Air Training Corps are in celebratory mood after their A Team won the best air cadet team award at the recent Royal Air Force Walking and Road Marching Association 2 day march held at Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering.

20130517_Oxfordshire_Units_March_to_Success_sub1The Wing are no strangers to this achievement as it is the third time Thames Valley have picked up this award under the guidance of their coach and leader; Flight Lieutenant Karl Kisley. Continue reading

Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award

Hundreds of young achievers from across the UK have a date in the prestigious setting of St. James’s Palace on Wednesday, 15th May 2013, including Fg Off Daniel Holden RAFVR(T) from 2267 (Brize Norton) Squadron.

Daniel was a staff member of South East Scotland Wing Air Training Corps where he achieved their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and travelled to London to receive his certificate from the DofE’s Patron and Founder – HRH The Duke of Edinburgh/Trustee and presented by Michael Palin OBE. Continue reading

Driving the Corps Forward

Once again the rural lands of Berkshire were transformed into a recruitment hunting ground as 2402 (Burghfield) Squadron went on the trail for new cadets.

The key behind the recruitment was the establishment of a key pitch at the Burghfield May Fayre, the Squadron being complimented for having presented a highly organised and professional display. This display was made up of a variety of key aspects including display boards, the Wing Recruitment gazebo and, in pride of place, the Wing aerospace platform (the WASP) which attracted many young enthusiasts who wanted to fly the simulator and were subsequently introduced to the variety of activities and opportunities that the Air Training Corps provides. Continue reading

Bicester cadets take a Liberty

2507 (Bicester) Squadron have been granted the Liberty of the Town in a glittering formal charter signing ceremony held at the offices of Bicester Town Council.

Having seen their original event postponed due to heavy snow, the Town Council were keen that the rearranged event be conducted with the fullest of pomp and ceremony. At the invitation of the Mayor, the attendees included the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, the Officer Commanding Thames Valley Wing Air Training Corps, Wing Commander Chris Fisher and the local Member of Parliament, the Honourable Tony Baldry MP. Continue reading