2402 Burghfield and 1996 Earley Squadron once more ventured into the early morning light to support Parkinson’s disease Research. A total of 14 cadets and 3 members of staff were on hand to provide marshalling support for the Parkinson’s UK Run Highclere event at Highclere Castle, the main setting for the ITV period drama Downton Abbey.
The cadet assistance was provided by Flt Lt Paul Beardwood of 2402 (Burghfield) Squadron and Flt Lt Julie Alexander of 1996 (Earley) Squadron who offered their assistance to Parkinson’s UK. Continue reading →
A trial has been held by Thames Valley Wing East & West Sectors to explore how to help Squadrons deliver the Field Craft “Are You On Target” foundation module.
The initial trial was held at Bramley Training Area and focussed on the Foundation level of field craft in which cadets learn how to look after themselves in the field including lessons on hygiene, kit maintenance, cooking, shelter building and basic patrolling. Completing this day long training course means they can now sign up for the Wing’s Tactical Leader Camp’s. Continue reading →
On a very cold Sunday 24 February, 54 cadets and 40 staff and friends, from 10 Squadrons across Thames Valley Wing, attended the Madjeski Stadium in Reading to see London Irish play London Wasps in the Aviva Premiership Rugby. The event was organised between the RAF Benevolent Fund and London Irish, with the Club offering concessionary tickets to all within the RAF community, with a donation on RAF/ATC ticket sales towards the Fund.
Whilst an RAF Recruiting Trailer, and the Wing’s WASP Media trailer, demonstrated the ‘Light-Blue’ presence outside the Ground, the cadets enjoyed ‘team’ photos on the pitch before the match, and then provided a Guard of Hour, tunnel-lining party, for the teams as they came out for the second-half. Continue reading →
Cadets throughout Oxford, Berkshire and Hampshire will now be experiencing the fun and thrills of Archery following 11 staff and cadets completing ArcheryUK’s Leader Award.
Hosted by 211 (Newbury) Squadron, the 4 day course allowed staff from various Air Cadet Squadrons from Thames Valley Wing and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wing to learn about delivering safe and enjoyable archery sessions to their cadets. Continue reading →
The best of the best from the Thames Valley area have come up trumps in the annual South West Region activities held this year at MOD Boscombe Down.
With activities ranging from Drill and presentational skills through to aero modelling and media communications, the battle was on to see which of the 6 Wings that form South West Region could come away with the silverware. It is fair to say that the competition was fierce but friendly throughout the whole days activities whilst the support provided by the staff, either directly to their own teams or in running the day as a whole was truly amazing. Continue reading →
In a surprise result, the cadets of 2211 (Bracknell) Squadron have won the Thames Valley Wing Activity Day held at Edward Brooks Barrack from a strong field of 287 cadets from right across the Thames Valley.
Bracknell secured the win by a strong performance across all the categories – Foot Drill, Banner Drill, Aviation Art, Aeromodelling, Photography, Media Skills, Aircraft Recognition, Flights of Fancy and Map Making. Runners up were 1996 (Earley) Squadron followed by 211 (Newbury) Squadron and 381 (Reading) Squadron. The overall drill winners were favourites 1116 (Wodley) Squadron who now go forward to the Regional Activity Day. Continue reading →
Waking up at 6am isn’t the usual Sunday morning for a teenager, but the cadets from Slough squadron were up for the challenge of Wing Activities Day. Ready to compete, we arrived at Edward Brooks Barracks prepared to engage in the competitive spirit of Thames Valley Wing. As Slough squadron’s team captain, Sergeant Pusey was already motivating the cadets: “This is a great opportunity to boost the confidence of three of our new cadets.” The new cadets at Slough squadron had been preparing and training for this opportunity to demonstrate how much they have improved over recent months, and were excited to participate. Continue reading →
The annual Inter Squadron Swimming Competition was held recently at Temple Cowley Pool and saw 21 Squadrons from across Oxfordshire and Berkshire in fierce battle for the awards on offer.
The competition itself was spread across four classes (Junior Boys, Senior Boys, Junior Girls and Senior Girls) and comprised both individual and team events in all four main disciplines, namely Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly and Freestyle. In addition there were further categories including the individual medley, one cadet completing all four strokes in one race, the medley relay (4 cadets 4 strokes) and the freestyle relay (4 cadets any stroke). Continue reading →
What do you get if you take 100 Air Cadets, a confidence course, the RAF Outreach Team and a choice of field craft training areas – well you get the most successful greens camp offered by Thames Valley Wing to date!
The camp, now in its third year at Pirbright Camp in Surrey, was aimed at the Wing’s younger cadets with a three day “Blue Phase” which was followed by a two day “Green Phase” field craft exercise. Also in the mix were a VIP engagement day and a myriad of evening social activity. Continue reading →
Cadets from Thames Valley Wing have been putting themselves in the news at their first weeklong Media Camp held at Pirbright Camp in Surrey.
The cadets learnt lots of new skills including photography, copy writing, newsletters, film making and presentation skills during the week as they provided media cover for the Wing’s annual greens camp. Continue reading →
