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.
On Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th October 2013 cadets from 155 (Maidenhead), 381 (Reading), 447 (Henley-on-Thames), 966 (Wallingford), 1861 (Wantage), 1996 (Early), 2210 (Cowley) and 2410 (Didcot) squadrons took part in the monthly TASER (Training And Shooting ExpeRience) weekend held at 447 (Henley-on-Thames) squadron.
The hugely successful weekend saw 19 cadets trained for the first time on the number 8 rifle meeting their first goal on the shooting section of the wing wide ‘Are You On Target’ initiative. 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, 7th 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 →
Over the summer many squadrons take the opportunity to provide expeditions to support their cadets through the ‘Duke of Edinburgh’s Award’ expedition section. Whether this is at Bronze, Silver or Gold level, by foot, canoe or bikes cadets work hard to prepare their route cards, kit and meal plans to ensure a successful expedition.
On Saturday, 3rd August 7 cadets headed off to the Chiltern Hills, Oxfordshire to take part in a practice expedition. Fg Off Jane Wicks from 2410 (Didcot) Squadron organised the weekend to enable cadets from the central sector of Thames Valley Wing to put their expedition training into practice under remote supervision of staff from within the sector. 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 →
At each squadron within Thames Valley are a group of volunteers who support the squadron staff and cadets to support the smooth running and welfare of the cadets attending. The civilian committees aim to support their individual squadron by:
Giving direct help and advice to formations in performance of their tasks;
Providing a means of ensuring that squadrons’ views are properly represented at Air Cadet Council, Regional and Wing levels;
Fostering association between ATC formations and their associated communities;
Raising, controlling and accounting for non-public funds in support of squadron training programmes and approved activities.
A contingent of cadets from Thames Valley Wing squadron’s supported the RideLondon cycling event over the weekend of 3-4 August. While working as volunteers in the bike park area on Sunday 4th of August Cdt Sgt Josh Wilkes and Cdt Guilherme Neves met RAF personnel competing in the cycling event, arriving mid morning having set off on the 100 mile route at 0600 hours that day. Continue reading →
With summer finally here, cadets & staff from Thames Valley Wing took to the water & climbing wall at Adventure Dolphin in Pangbourne for the Wing’s Multiactivity Adventure Training Day. 12 cadets and 4 staff members from across the Thames Valley attended the event, with all enjoying the warm weather and sunshine!
Following an introduction into what the day would involve, the cadets were split into two groups to tackle morning’s respective challenges. The first being a taxing “throw the shoe” warm up lead by CI Ollie Holman of 2402 squadron. Following this, the flights went their separate ways – an introduction to Paddlesport in open canoes or tackling 9 challenging climbing routes on the climbing wall. Continue reading →
Easter 2013 had a new twist for a number of members of staff and cadets from across Thames valley Wing as they enjoyed the hospitality of RAF High Wycombe during their Easter Camp.
Despite the snow, frost and freezing temperatures the camp enjoyed a whole host of activities including trips to the RAF Museum at Hendon, a visit to RAF Halton, Hell Fire Caves and the C17 and C130 fleets at RAF Brize Norton. Continue reading →
