If you're a fan of aviation, action and adventure, love sports and getting to know people then you're in the right place. Welcome to 2210 (Cowley) Squadron.
Are you up for fun, adventure, incredible experiences and making new friends? Are you looking for something to give you the edge in life? Then welcome to the 2210 Squadron! We are the biggest and most vibrant cadet unit in Oxford. Better known as "Cowley Air Cadets', we're part of the UK-wide Royal Air Force Air Cadets with more than 40,000 members aged between 12 and 20 years.
We're sponsored by the Royal Air Force and can give you hands-on experience of activities and courses that will challenge and develop your skills giving you real qualifications and experience to help you succeed in whatever you want to do.
The weekend of 17-19 Oct was a weekend for challenging yourself in the outdoors for cadets and staff from Thames Valley Wing and beyond. Thames Valley Wing Adventure Training Officer, Flt Lt Christlieb provides an insight to what goes on during an assessment weekend and the opportunities available to cadets and staff within the ATC. Continue reading
Cadets from 1315 (Kidlington), 1460 (Banbury), 2210 (Cowley) Squadrons and cadets from Kidlington Detachment Army Cadet Force visited the US Air Force 422nd Airbase Group at RAF Croughton.
The day started with a welcome and mission briefing of RAF Croughton’s role within the USAFE (United States Air Force Europe) by the Commanding Officer, ColonelJ. Mellars USAF. Following this we were then taken on Section tours of the base. Continue reading
The finalists for the Thames Valley Wing Thrive Awards have now been announced. The Awards fall into the following categories and all nominations came from their peers.
Outstanding Individual – The person who has made the most outstanding contribution over the past year.
Ambassador – The individual or team who through the virtue of hard work, character and representation have raised the profile of the ATC.
Valiant Volunteer – For consistent and extraordinary efforts in helping others, above and beyond the call of duty.
Unsung Hero – The individual whose contribution often goes unnoticed but without it their Squadron would fail to deliver the effect it achieves.
Top Team Award – awarded to the group (informal or formal) that has achieved the greatest positive impact. Continue reading
Air Cadets from 2210 Cowley Squadron, based in Sandy Lane West, Blackbird Leys travelled to Arnhem in the Netherlands to pay their respects to those who fought at the battle of Arnhem in September 1944.
The Air Cadets had a tour of the battlefield led by a Royal Air Force Squadron Leader and visited the Airborne Museum in Oosterbek and then paid their respects at the war Cemetary. Continue reading
23 Cadets and 11 Staff from Thames Valley Wing organised and attended the 2014 Wing AT Camp at NACATC Llanbedr at the end of May.
After some careful planning and paperwork the week started with a journey to North Wales on a coach, after settling into the camp and receiving various briefs the Cadets and Staff were split into 3 groups. We archived our aim of delivering a jammed packed and varied programme giving the Cadets a taster in each of the core AT activities. Continue reading
The Thames Valley Adventure Training Team organised a weekend of climbing, abseiling , kayaking, open canoeing, trekking, orienteering, camping skills and team building at Foxlease in the New Forest on a wet weekend in April.
Over the weekend Cadets from Brize Norton, Cowley, Woodley and Chipping Norton braved the very wet weather and took part in the activities above. As well as the activities we also covered some of the First Class training syllabus around Basic Map reading and Initial Expedition Training.
FS Chris Harding of Burghfield Squadron who organised the event said “Even with the constant rain for the whole weekend the Cadets and Staff stayed in high spirits and enjoyed a varied Adventure Training experience across the core activities mentioned in “Are You On Target?” . I’d like to extend my thanks to the ACO staff for transporting the Cadets and their assistance with organising and running all the activities.”
Each January staff and staff cadets from across the wing gather at RAF Halton to attend the annual Wing Training Day. This provides the opportunity to find out the latest changes on subjects such as the ‘Duke of Edinburgh’s Award’ and syllabus training. Staff also reflect back on the previous year and look ahead to ensure that the cadet experience is been delivered to the best of the ability of squadrons and wing staff within Thames Valley. This year’s training day saw a visit by Gp Capt Cole from RAF Brize Norton who provided an insight into the RAF as it currently stands and updates on RAF Brize Norton with the introduction of the Voyager fleet and upcoming arrival of the Atlas fleet. 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
On Tuesday, 29th October 34 cadets and 4 staff from the Northern Sector of Thames Valley wing headed to RAF Brize Norton to spend the day visiting a number of different sections and an Air Experience Flight. Organised by the station ACLO, Flt Lt Lonsdale, the day included visits to 216 Sqn, resident squadron operating the Tristar fleet for Air Transport and Air to Air Refuelling. The cadets also undertook a visit to the safety equipment section to find out how all the equipment is tested and maintained and ensure it was all up to the required specifications. The cadets went to see the RAF Regiment and 33 Engineering Squadron, home to the maintenance of the C-130 Hercules fleet. Continue reading