Woodley Squadrons drill squad has triumphed at Region Activities Day by beating 5 other teams to be crowned the best drill team in South West Region.
The annual drill competition, held at RAF Lyneham in Wilshire is a hotly fought contest with each Wing putting forward its finest drill team to compete for the drill shield and the chance to represent the South West at the inter-Region drill competition at RAF Halton.
In Woodley’s case the team that was fielded was relatively young and inexperienced but, according to Squadron Warrant Officer Dan Twigg this was a good choice as the cadets “were all keen and willing to be taught and therefore picked up the points made by their instructing staff much more readily than perhaps their more experienced older colleagues would have done”.
The cadets themselves were keen to do well and were extremely pleased with their success as evidenced by the many smiles and shouts of joy when the final results were announced during the final presentation parade. There is however a down side to the success insofar as work must now commence to prepare for the inter-Region competition in November where they will carry the hopes of the entire South West Region onto the parade square.
211 (Newbury) Squadron reigned supreme at the Thames Valley Wing Field Weekend held at Bicester.
The activities held over the two day competition were designed to test all of the cadets skills. Together with drill, aircraft recognition, the cadets from 26 different Squadrons also had to undertake outdoor activities on the nearby Piddington Training Area such as a first aid scenario, patrol lane and a Duke of Edinburgh Award challenge. Continue reading →
Bracknell Cadets proved they were the champions at the Thames Valley Wing swimming championships held at Cowley Temple Pool.
Over 100 cadets and staff travelled to the pool on the outskirts of the City of Oxford for a day of heats, finals and relays. Following an early challenge from Brize Norton and Woodley Squadrons, Bracknell forged ahead with an invincible points trophy by the end of the competition. Continue reading →
A team of cadets from 2402 (Burghfield) Squadron have won the inaugural Berkshire Skills Weekend in style. The event, which in this Cadet 150 year, featured teams from both the Army Cadets and Air Cadets, was held at Bramley Training Area in Hampshire and tested the cadets in skills such as teamwork, navigation, field craft, map reading and problem solving. Continue reading →
Over 20 Thames Valley Wing cadets and staff have been honoured at a glittering awards ceremony held at Falklands House in Oxford for their work by Commandant of the Air Cadet Organisation; Air Commodore Ian Stewart.
Amongst the haul of awards were 16 Commandant Air Cadets Commendations, 3 South West Regional Commandants Certificates of Merit, a long service award, 4 Cadet Forces Medals and Clasps:– Continue reading →
In a shock result, cadets from 1116 (Woodley) Squadron beat 2402 (Burghfield) Sqn into 2nd place in the Thames Valley Wing Challenge.
The event held over 2 days at Bramley Training Area attracted teams from 22 Squadrons. Activities on offer included a Night Exercise followed by a round robin exercise ranging from a view from the top of the High Ropes course to leadership, patrolling, orienteering, first aid and radio communications. Continue reading →
Over 400 Cadets and staff from Thames Valley Wing helped the RAF celebrate its 90th anniversary in style, with a parade at RAF Halton.
The Reviewing Officer, who inspected all 400 cadets and 30 staff on parade, was Group Captain Richard Gammage, Station Commander RAF Halton. Other VIPs included Air Commodore John Lamont from MoD Abbey Wood and the Mayors of Witney and Abingdon. Continue reading →
Cadets from the Berkshire units of Thames Valley Wing recently showed their ability to the full by winning the top award for small bore target shooting.
The Inter-Services and Nowell Cup competitions are held annually with teams from the Sea Cadet Corps, Army Cadet Force and Air Training Corps competing. Continue reading →
