Located in the heart of the Cotswolds 136 (Chipping Norton) Squadron is a thriving unit. We are passionate about the outdoors and take every opportunity to fly and glide.
30 Cadets and 6 Staff members from Burghfield, Newbury, Brize Norton, Woodley, Chipping Norton, Oxford, Reading and Bracknell Squadrons attended a White Water Rafting session run by at Cardiff International White Water Centre.
The morning started with splitting into rafts of 6 people, a brief by our rafting guide. Kit issue of wet suit and personal safety equipment then onto the water. It was rather chilly at around 5 Celsius but this did not stop some Cadets jumping in before we even got into the rafts! Continue reading →
Following on from the Wing Activities Day 2 cadets from 136 (Chipping Norton) Squadron were selected to represent the wing at the Regional Debating Competition in preparation for an upcoming event at the House of Lords. CplRillie and Cdt Mitchell went to the South West region event back in October alongside cadets from all the services. The day involved training, preparing and practicing debating in order to be selected to represent South West region at RAFCCranwell. Cdt Mitchell was selected to attend on the 2nd November and provided some words on the event “As requested I have included a photo from the day, the photo was taken during the final in the RAFCCranwell Chapel. 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 →
Thames Valley Wing has, over the past few months, been running a series of ‘Self Defence and Conflict Management’ courses via TDSU that are available for cadets and staff; the most recent being on Saturday, 28th September. The courses are run by WO Miller of 1996 (Earley) Sqn who is a Master Level Self Defence Instructor with the Self Defence Federation, and his colleague WO Powditch of 2121 (Abingdon) Sqn. The courses are aimed at teaching cadets to manage conflict in confrontational situations and basic self-defence actions in a controlled environment. 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 →
On a bright, Saturday morning in August a group of cadets from 136 (Chipping Norton) Squadron along with 2120 (Witney) Sqn on Sunday became part of the Air-Side Access team for the Sywell (Northampton) Air Rally. With a range of duties to perform from marshalling aircraft and been able to get up and close to a range of aircraft. Information on the event can be found via http://www.sywellaerodrome.co.uk/
The event was well attended with over 1,000 aircraft visiting over the weekend which helps the cadet’s practice perhaps for the Wing Aircraft Recognition competition! The squadron has already have been invited to participate in next year’s event and the cadets that attended got a lot of praise for their performance across the air show. 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, 7th 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 →
Chocks away as Air Expereice Flights (AEF) resume at 6 AEF based at RAF Benson following a period of inactivity for the Grob Tutor fleet from October 2013. Squadrons from next week will start to see allocations re-appear on notice boards to offer cadets the chance to complete their Air Experience Flights with 6 AEF, further supporting cadet’s studies into aviation.
Air Experience flying is a big part of the cadet experience and alongside gliding is a key element that makes the Air Training Corps stand out from the rest. By been able to offer again cadets the chance for their sortie in the Grob Tutor cadets will be able to add another tick against their ‘Are You On Target’ achievements. Continue reading →
On Saturday 27th April 21 cadets from 2267 (Brize Norton) Air Cadet Squadron along with a cadet from 136 (Chipping Norton) Squadron travelled to Weston-on-the-green in Oxfordshire to complete their practice Bronze Duke of Edinburgh award expedition. This been just one part of the award scheme allows the cadets to consolidate their recent training and apply their skills in an outdoor environment under remote supervision of staff. The cadets had undertaken training in First Aid and emergency procedures, risk & health and safety issues, navigation and route planning, practical map and compass skills, camp craft, hygiene and food safety, countryside code and teambuilding. For each group they have to work on an aim throughout their expedition and provide a presentation at the end of their final expedition based on these aims which included local wildlife, farming in Oxfordshire and environmental waste. The cadets would then be taking videos, photos and notes throughout their expeditions show what they have learnt. Continue reading →
Fifteen cadets and staff from Thames Valley Wing have just returned from the 2013 Alpine Adventure ski trip in Bavaria, Germany. Alpine Adventure is a well established ATC activity that has been running for nearly 20 years and provides the opportunity for up to 80 cadets to either learn to ski, or to improve their skiing techniques.
The Thames Valley Wing cadets formed part of the South West Region contingent, staying at a 14th Century Mill in Wertach, along with cadets from Region, as well as others from Manchester, Middlesex and Kent. Continue reading →
