Two Cadets from Thames Valley Wing attended the ACO National Concert Band Camp held at RAF Northolt last week. CPL Natasha Gavin (211 Newbury Sqn) and CPL Ben Goodall (150 City of Oxford Sqn) were selected from the February camp to be apart of the recording, with CPL Goodall performing a solo in one of the tracks. The camp was to prepare for a professional recording on the Friday and Saturday.

The CD of 11 tracks is all about the “stage and screen” with tracks from Les Miserables, Oliver and Chicago, plus many more. Continue reading →

The team arrived at RAF Northolt in July after spending every weekend walking fifteen-twenty miles as training for the week long marches. Accompanying the cadets went Flt Lt Kisley of Banbury and Fg Off Wicks of Didcot, both of whom having spent nearly every weekend training the team ready for Nijmegen.

From Northolt the team travelled by coach across the channel to Calais and then through Europe to Nijmegen. Continue reading →

Each January staff and staff cadets from across the wing gather at RAF Halton to attend the annual Wing Training Day. This provides the opportunity to find out the latest changes on subjects such as the ‘Duke of Edinburgh’s Award’ and syllabus training. Staff also reflect back on the previous year and look ahead to ensure that the cadet experience is been delivered to the best of the ability of squadrons and wing staff within Thames Valley. This year’s training day saw a visit by Gp Capt Cole from RAF Brize Norton who provided an insight into the RAF as it currently stands and updates on RAF Brize Norton with the introduction of the Voyager fleet and upcoming arrival of the Atlas fleet. Continue reading →

With the Wing Bandmaster expanding the wings music capabilities 3 cadets from Thames Valley Wing performed at the Birmingham Military Tattoo at the end of November. Cpl N Gavin, Cdt B Goodall and Cdt C Jones performed in the Air Cadet National Marching Band alongside 126 (City of Derby) Squadron Rifle Drill display team. Cpl Gaving from 211 Newbury Squadron was also selected to be part of the Air Cadet National Fanfare team and opened the performance by the Air Cadets. Continue reading →

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 →

As part of the wings drive to create a wing band and support squadrons own band the wing bandmaster has been visiting squadrons to help develop cadet’s skills and knowledge in the music field. There are a number of camps across the year for cadet and staff musicians such as the national concert band camp which Cpl Natasha Gavin, 211 Sqn and Cdt Benedict Goodall, 150 Sqn recently attended. The camp was to rehearse for a charity concert at St Clements Danes in London on the 1st November in aid of the RAF Benevolent Fund. The concert was attended by Viscount Trenchard, chairman of the RAF Benevolent Fund, and Wing Commander Duncan Stubbs, Principle Director of Music for the Royal Air Force. 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 Saturday, 14^th September 150 (City of Oxford) Squadron invited the Wing Media Officer to join them at Wellesbourne Airfield to see the exciting project they have been involved with for the past 2 years. Each month a group of cadets travel to visit one of the few remaining Avro Vulcan aircraft, XM655 where they support the small team of volunteers that are keeping the aircraft in ground running condition.

CI David McCulloch gives us some information about how the squadron became involved in the project and the activities the cadets get involved with each month. Recently 240 (Darlaston) Squadron have been joining the 150 Sqn cadets to support the work been undertaken. 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, 7^th 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 →