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, 28^th 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 →

On a bright, Saturday morning in August a group of cadets from 136 (Chipping Norton) Squadron along with 2120 (Witney) Sqn on Sunday became part of the Air-Side Access team for the Sywell (Northampton) Air Rally. With a range of duties to perform from marshalling aircraft and been able to get up and close to a range of aircraft. Information on the event can be found via http://www.sywellaerodrome.co.uk/

The event was well attended with over 1,000 aircraft visiting over the weekend which helps the cadet’s practice perhaps for the Wing Aircraft Recognition competition! The squadron has already have been invited to participate in next year’s event and the cadets that attended got a lot of praise for their performance across the air show. 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 →

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 →

The weekend of the 28th-30th of June saw Air Cadets from across the Oxfordshire area come together to take part in Exercise Tri-Hard, the Oxfordshire Cadet Challenge. Working with cadets from the Sea, Army and Combined Cadet Force, they took part in a range of exciting and challenging activities.  The aim of the weekend was to work together in teams to win the Challenge.

Throughout the weekend the cadets took part in water-based activities like kayaking and power boating with the Sea Cadet Corps, the Army Cadet Force provided first aid scenarios to test the cadets and the Air Training Corps challenged the groups to find a downed pilot by completing a number of different leadership exercises. Continue reading →

Cadets from 2120 (Witney) Squadron gathered at Witney Lakes Resort on Saturday 20^th April to celebrate the 70^th anniversary of their formation.

Distinguished guests included former cadets, staff, parents as well as Her Majesty’s Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire, Brigadier Ian Inshaw and Town Mayor, Cllr Harry Eaglestone.  The evening celebrated the squadrons’ accomplishments from the past seventy years, recognising the achievements of all involved, past and present and this was emphasised in a brief note from constituency MP and Prime Minister the Rt Hon David Cameron.  In his note to the cadets, the Prime Minister highlighted the cadets commitment to the community and thanked them for their civic duty, assuring the Squadron of his support over the coming years

Commanding Officer of 2120 (Witney) Squadron, Flight Lieutenant Kevin Corbyn reflected on the evening and the past 70 years:

“Witney Air Cadets have a long and prestigious history and this evening’s event celebrated that perfectly.  These young adults have turned out tonight and epitomised the very ethos that underlines their Squadron; exemplary citizens.  My staff and I are proud of every single cadet and we look forward to the next 70 years and the cadets that will come through our doors.”

Cadet Oscar Evans who joined the Squadron in February and was Mr Vice for the evenings formalities said of the occasion:

“Tonight has been really good fun and it was an honour to be the junior cadet but still be Mr Vice.  I have really enjoyed my time with the cadets so far and I can’t wait to go flying and gliding.”

In addition to the congratulatory messages received from the Prime Minister and Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Commandant of the Air Cadet Organisation, Air Commodore Dawn McCafferty tweeted the Squadron.

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 →