Situated in the heart of the Vale of the White Horse, 1861 (Wantage) Squadron has been serving the towns of Wantage, Faringdon and the surrounding villages with opportunities and activities for aviation interested young people since 1941.
On Friday the 2nd of June 1861 Wantage Squadron and 2121 Abingdon Squadron visited RAF Brize Norton and had a super time visiting departments of the station ranging from Air Movements Operations to Air Traffic Control to being shown around transport aircraft based at RAF Brize Norton. Continue reading
On Thursday the 25th of May the Deputy Wing Chaplain came to 1861 Wantage Squadron to enrol two new cadets in the RAF Air Cadets. Welcome to the RAFAC family and we hope you give everything a try and exceed in all you do!
Cadets from 1861 Wantage Squadron and 966 Wallingford Squadron visited RAF Benson and flew with No2 Air Experience Flight, flying in the Grob Tutor two seat training aircraft. Continue reading
Today 1861 cadets and adult volunteers have spent the day at RAF Brize Norton visiting No 47 Squadron and were lucky enough to have a flight in a C130J Hercules.
During the recent lock down period, Thames Valley Wing of the RAF Air Cadets moved to using online platforms to continue activities for our cadets. 217 of our air cadets have completed radio communications and cyber security training courses during this time and we even trained 10 adult volunteers as instructors.
The radio communications and cyber security training is highly beneficial to the cadets, as it improves their knowledge of cyber security, social media safety and how to protect themselves and their devices from malware and viruses. Continue reading
On the 16th of April, some of our cadets put on their uniform and clapped at eight o’clock along with many others in the region. We did this to say thank you to all the hard working; carers, doctors, nurses and other workers within the NHS, that are putting themselves in risk to help those with Covid-19.
Well done to all cadets and adult volunteers who took part in the South West Region sports day covering rugby, netball, football and hockey and congratulations to all who were selected for the South West region teams.
Thames valley Wing undertook a multi activity training weekend staying onboard HMS Bristol, a Royal Navy destroyer docked in Portsmouth and used as a training facility. Our cadets participated in training for first aid, leadership, instructional techniques, NCO command training for Junior and Senior NCOs and weapons handling and safety training.
Thames Valley Wing Air Cadets are not just about flying and gliding! Our cadets were out in force this weekend shooting the L144 .22 target rifle polishing their marksmanship skills
In the months from September to October, a little more than 100 cadets took part in Thames Valley Wing Air Cadets’ fieldcraft courses. Also known as the ‘Tactical Leadership Courses’, they culminated in a blank firing exercise with cadets, a first for the Wing. Throughout, cadets were given progressive opportunities to learn and demonstrate skills from camouflage and concealment to section-level tactics with training ammunition, all whilst developing their communication, teamwork and leadership skills. Continue reading