2267 (Brize Norton) Squadron parade twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday evening 19:00-21:30 hours. In addition we regularly met at weekends for activities such as flying, sport or camps.
The squadron is unusual, in that we are based on a very busy RAF station. This has enormous advantages to us; a large proportion of our staff are serving RAF personnel, we have access to facilities on station, and we have active aircraft close at hand!
We are a disciplined organisation, but that doesn't stop activities being fun and we even learn some useful skills!
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 →
Safety is a top priority of all activities which cadets take part in and their staffs are always making sure that cadets understand the risks and safety elements of what they are taking part in. 2267 (Brize Norton) Squadron welcomed AirTanker Services, Vanessa Murdoch to talk about Flight Safety within the Voyager programme at RAF Brize Norton on Thursday, 25th July. In her role as ‘FDM (Flight Deck Monitoring) and Investigation Officer’ Vanessa ensures that the company is learning constantly to ensure safety of the aircraft, crew and staff on the ground is monitored. She also explained the importance of learning from every event and how not jumping to conclusions and looking at every possible angle of an event ensures best practice. Continue reading →
On Thursday, 18th July 2267 (Brize Norton) Squadron played host to its Honorary President Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Jon Lamonte (RAF Ret’d) to open its indoor Air Rifle range to add further to the cadet experience at Brize Norton Squadron. The evening started with OC 2267 Flt Lt Colin Burrell escorting AVMLamonte to the range to be shown how its works within the squadron buildings and the process undertaken by the staff from planning stage to opening. After a demonstration by the squadron cadets AVMLamonte took his turn at showing the cadets his shooting skills and trying to gain a marksmanship badge! Continue reading →
On Sunday, 19th May a coach full of excited cadets and staff headed from RAF Brize Norton across to Tisley Park, Abingdon to take part in the annual Thames Valley Wing athletics competition. With 27 cadets and 4 staff accompanying them Brize Norton squadron was aiming for a successful day in this popular event attended by all squadrons within the Wing.
With a long day ahead covering both field and track events the cadets maintained high spirits as they supported each other throughout the day. 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 →
As part of the long term sponsorship between AirTanker Services and 2267 (Brize Norton) Air Cadet Squadron the company provided every cadet with new, high visibility jackets to help keep the cadets safe and seen. With many of the cadets walking between their home and the squadron each night it helps to ensure safety as the number one priority for all the cadets which matches the safety ethos of AirTanker.
The high visibility jackets are also used by the cadets when out on their Duke of Edinburgh expeditions to be clearly seen on the country lanes or out supporting charity events such as the Carterton10k. As from the photo it won’t be hard now to miss the Air Cadets out and about proudly showing the partnership between AirTanker Services and the Brize Norton Air Cadets.
