In a nail biting finish the cadets of 381 (Reading) Squadron proved they were the best by winning the recent Wing Activities Day held at Edward Brooks Barracks near Abingdon.

Against the back drop of a deep blue sky and bright sunshine, 21 teams from across the Wing started the day in contention with a testing set of competitions ahead of them. This included Field Craft, Public Speaking, Adventure Training, First Aid, Aircraft Recognition, Foot Drill, Media Skills, Aviation Art, Photography, Website construction and Aero modelling. Continue reading →

Air Cadets from across Thames Valley Wing have just returned from a Duke of Edinburgh Training Expedition held in North Hampshire. Despite the weather forecasters predicting a weekend of heavy rain – the cadets managed to stay dry most of the time! Continue reading →

Thames Valley Wings Marching Teams have been in action at RAF Cosford qualifying in style for the Dutch Nijmegen Marches being held in July. Continue reading →

With the sun out and temperatures in the 20’s, over 100 cadets and staff from across the Thames Valley enjoyed and uncharacteristically warm weekend at Bramley Training Area during the first Wing Tactical Leadership Camp of the year.

Splitting into three groups, first time cadets learnt the basic principles of fieldcraft and living in the field, an Intermediate group brushed up on existing skills whilst learning how to lead and the most advanced cadets were given an intensive weekend where they were tested to the maximum including a demanding stretcher carry. Continue reading →

The Thames Valley Wing Marching Team have started their training with an aim of being selected for the world famous Nijmegen Marches held in Holland each July.  The team have a lot to live up to as they are past multiple winners of the prestigious Jon Ford Trophy for being the best Air Cadet team in the marches as well as having a reputation for marching at a strong pace, beating many regular service teams along the way! Continue reading →

RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire was the venue for one of the premier courses to be held in Thames Valley Wing as a group of cadets, drawn from across the Wing and identified by their Commanding Officers as having the potential for promotion to the rank of Cadet Corporal, were schooled in the basic skills required to perform this task.

The 22 candidates, guided by 4 extremely experienced members of Air Cadet staff and a senior staff cadet were put through their paces in a mixture of classroom instruction and practical exercises covering subjects such as drill and leadership. Every member of the course was given the opportunity to lead and all were closely observed from the time they arrived to the time they departed. Continue reading →

Although evergreen Warrant Officer Mo Merchant of 2120 (Witney) Squadron celebrated her last day in uniform as part of a Cadet 150 parade through the streets of Oxford after over 2 decades of service she will still be sharing her skills and experience as a Civilian Instructor. Continue reading →

In temperatures of up 28^oC Oxfordshire Air Cadets have marched through the streets of Oxfordshire with Sea Cadets and Army Cadets to celebrate Cadet 150.

The cadets started the celebrations with a service at Christ Church Cathedral where following a welcome by the Bishop of Oxford, Right Reverend John Pritchard, the Lord Lieutenants Cadets read the lessons. The Lord Lieutenant, Nr Tim Stevenson OBE, also gave an address where he praised the work of all of the Cadet forces and thanked them for their valuable work they perform in their local communities throughout Oxfordshire. Continue reading →

Over 400 Cadets and staff from Thames Valley Wing helped the RAF celebrate its 90th anniversary in style, with a parade at RAF Halton.

The Reviewing Officer, who inspected all 400 cadets and 30 staff on parade, was Group Captain Richard Gammage, Station Commander RAF Halton. Other VIPs included Air Commodore John Lamont from MoD Abbey Wood and the Mayors of Witney and Abingdon. Continue reading →