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 →

In early November 9 Cadets and 11 Staff of TVW made their way to the National Air Cadet Adventure Training Centre (NACATC) at Windermere for a week of Adventure Training in and around the Lake District.

Activities ranged from mountain walking, Canadian Canoeing, indoor and outdoor rock climbing and mountain biking taking full advantage of the facilities and opportunities available from the centre.  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 →

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 are invited to attend a selection weekend to be successful in gaining a place on the Junior Leaders Course. This year 4 cadets from Thames Valley wing took part in the selection process at Bodney Camp and cadet FS J Taylor tells us what was involved during the weekend. This opportunity is offered out each year so make sure you keep an eye out and apply.

“Having heard some worrying tales about it, I had apprehensions on the four-hour train journey to Thetford and was relieved to see what I assumed was the rest of the course waiting outside the station when I arrived; at least I knew I was at the right place. 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, 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 →

Navigation skills and outdoor expedition training features throughout a cadets time in the ‘Air Training Crops’ starting from their First Class initial Expedition training through to been able to achieve their ‘Basic Expedition Leader Award’ once they reach 18 years old.

211 (Newbury) squadron took some of their cadets to the Brecon Beacons to apply their navigation skills in a practical environment in preparation for their Duke of Edinburgh expeditions. CI Josh Spence, a civilian instructor at the squadron and also a ‘Mountain Leader’ provides an overview of what the cadets got up to:

“Rain; the sight which greeted us early on Saturday morning when arriving at the unit to go off to South Wales for a day of navigation skills and hillwalking practice. The two hour bus journey was however rewarded with clearing skies from the moment we set foot on the hills, the cloud eventually lifted and the stunning scenery was revealed for all to see. Of course, this was not just a jaunt in the countryside however! The cadets who attended spent the day practicing their navigation skills with the instructor merely playing a supervisory role.

All in all then, a strong days training to which we at 211 (Newbury) ATC would recommend all cadets try their hands at as it offers safe and enjoyable learning in the most picturesque parts of the UK.”

A number of different topics were covered on the day ranging from map reading, compass bearings through to team work and the importance of been able to know where you are when out walking.

Interested in the outdoor environment? Ask your squadron staff for more information on the adventure training opportunities available such as the ‘National Navigation Award Scheme’ (NNAS), ‘National Indoor Climbing Award Scheme’ (NICAS) and other exciting adventure training opportunities. Are you on target for adventure training within the ATC? Why not take a look and see.

Sgt Lily Chubb from 211 (Newbury) Squadron recently attended Air Cadet Leadership Course No 101 at Royal Air Force College Cranwell where her flight were awarded the award of Top Flight. Here is her report of the week.

Arriving at RAFC Cranwell on the 27th July, it was clear that the standards for the Air Cadet Leadership Course 101 were going to be high. We were sent into a room that contained vital information for the rest of the week and every cadet was to record this data. The test had only begun, as our next task was to stand in front of a SNCO and recall the information quickly and accurately with a common theme occurring that a great attention to detail was needed to pass out of the room successfully. Continue reading →