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.
What are the chances of spotting a letter of Air Cadet interest and in so doing, establishing communications with an ex-cadet from the 1950s? Well that is exactly what happened when the OC of 2210 (Cowley) squadron, Flight Lieutenant Nigel Furlong spotted an article in the Oxford Mail.
The letter to the paper was written by 70 year old Mr Bryan Cole, formerly of Oxford but, since 1975 a resident of Adelaide, South Australia. In his subsequent letter to Flight Lieutenant Furlong he said: Continue reading →
The annual Inter Squadron Swimming Competition was held recently at Temple Cowley Pool and saw 21 Squadrons from across Oxfordshire and Berkshire in fierce battle for the awards on offer.
The competition itself was spread across four classes (Junior Boys, Senior Boys, Junior Girls and Senior Girls) and comprised both individual and team events in all four main disciplines, namely Backstroke, Breaststroke, Butterfly and Freestyle. In addition there were further categories including the individual medley, one cadet completing all four strokes in one race, the medley relay (4 cadets 4 strokes) and the freestyle relay (4 cadets any stroke). Continue reading →
Cadets from Thames Valley Wing have been putting themselves in the news at their first weeklong Media Camp held at Pirbright Camp in Surrey.
The cadets learnt lots of new skills including photography, copy writing, newsletters, film making and presentation skills during the week as they provided media cover for the Wing’s annual greens camp. Continue reading →
76 uniformed members of staff from Thames Valley Wing have been awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal.
The members of staff were presented with the medal by Air Commodore Paul Lyall OBE of the Joint Services Defence College during a high profile parade at Dalton Barracks; in front of family, friends and guests. Continue reading →
Britwell Air Cadets were in the silverware after winning the lions share of the medals and trophies at the Thames Valley Wing Athletics Championships held at Abingdon’s Tilsey Park.
Over 200 cadets and 50 staff took part in glorious sunshine; battling it out to be crowned champions. 11 events were on offer across 5 age categories headed up by Flight Sergeant Barry Tweddle, the Wing Sports Officer. Continue reading →
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 →
After a weekend swinging from ropes, navigating wire courses and crossing rope bridges Instructors from across the Thames Valley are now ready and qualified to work with cadets on Low Ropes Courses. The European Ropes Course Association accredited training was delivered by Vertex Training near Corfe Castle in Dorset.
The weekend started with the vital skill of safe operation before moving through some of different types of exercises and the positive methods of reviewing teams. The weekend concluded with written and practical assessments of all of the course members by Vertex Training in order to qualify for the industry standard ERCA accreditation. Continue reading →
In temperatures of up 28oC 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 →
The Thames Valley Wing units at Burghfield and Cowley have been regraded to Squadron status.
The promotion to Squadron status has been due to the resurgence in numbers at both Squadrons. The news was relayed by Group Captain Mike Remlinger, Regional Commandant, the day after a successful visit to Burghfield where he saw the cadets getting involved with Radio Controlled Flying and planning a major charity event.
The units will now be known as 2402 (Burghfield) Squadron and 2210 (Cowley) Squadron.
