1460 (Banbury) Squadron thrives to deliver a varied and an exciting range of activities throughout the year which include the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, vocational qualifications, First Aid training as well as Flying.
Our motto is "pride and honour prevails"
We are proud to offer air cadets the opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills by learning an instrument within the squadrons marching band.
Please contact the squadron if you require any further information.
On Tuesday, 29th October 34 cadets and 4 staff from the Northern Sector of Thames Valley wing headed to RAF Brize Norton to spend the day visiting a number of different sections and an Air Experience Flight. Organised by the station ACLO, Flt Lt Lonsdale, the day included visits to 216 Sqn, resident squadron operating the Tristar fleet for Air Transport and Air to Air Refuelling. The cadets also undertook a visit to the safety equipment section to find out how all the equipment is tested and maintained and ensure it was all up to the required specifications. The cadets went to see the RAF Regiment and 33 Engineering Squadron, home to the maintenance of the C-130 Hercules fleet. Continue reading →
The Air Training Corps is an organisation supported by hundreds of volunteers in many capacities from Civilian Instructors, Uniformed staff to committee members. At the Thames Valley, Wing Activities Day three staff members from within the wing were presented with the ‘Commandant’s Commendation for Meritorious Service’ by OC Wing, WgCdr Fisher. These individuals were recognised for their support to the ATC mission ‘to facilitate a modern, dynamic, sustainable air-minded youth organisation of choice that offers fun and challenging opportunities’. 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 →
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 →
Annual summer camps provide cadets with a great opportunity to experience life on an RAF station and the chance to take part in activities otherwise not available to them at squadron or wing levels. A number of cadets this year for summer camp within Thames Valley wing headed to RAF Shawbury across 2 weeks in August to see what happens at the base
RAF Shawbury provides for the RAF the Defence Helicopter Flying School, training aircrew for all three military services, and the Central Flying School (Helicopter), delivering the next generation of helicopter instructors. The Central Air Traffic Control School, more quietly but with equal energy, deliver the next generation of controllers, prepare those already for operations and train selected individuals as instructors. Continue reading →
Started back in January 2013 with an induction into road marching at Edward Brooks Barracks, staff from Thames Valley wing trained enough cadets to take two Wing teams to DCAECosford to the RAF WARMA (Walking and road marching Association) event in April. This event is a 50 mile march for cadets and also a qualifier for those cadets old enough to go to Holland to take part in the famous Nijmegen March.
Fg Off Wicks lead one team and Flt Lt Kisley the other, and the teams did extremely well leaving RAFWARMA with their heads held high as one team finished in 3rd place and the 2nd team winning best ATC team 2013. A hard selection then took place to decide the 11 cadets from the two teams who would represent the Wing at Nijmegen, for the 100 mile 4 day march in July. Continue reading →
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 →
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.
The 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 →
