2402 Squadron is part of Thames Valley Wing, in the South-West Region. We parade on Monday and Wednesday evenings and take cadets aged 12+ who are in Year 8 or above.
Air Cadets from across Thames Valley Wing, came together at 211 (Newbury) Squadron’s Cadet Forces Centre to take part in a joint weapons training event. The Cadets from Newbury, Wallingford, Wantage, Abingdon & Burghfield Squadrons undertook a comprehensive training package covering safety around the range, as well as specific training on one of two rifles according to their age and experience. Continue reading
A team of cadets representing Thames Valley have been narrowly beaten in a competition to find the best Wing in the South West loosing out by a mere 2 points after a day of competitions.
The cadets from across Berkshire and Oxfordshire were drawn from Windsor, Woodley, Burghfield, Kidlington, Abingdon and Reading. The individual competitions were held for Drill, Aircraft Recognition, Art, Photography, Banner Drill and Public Speaking. Continue reading
The 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain has been commemorated in Burghfield by a parade of over 40 Air Cadets and their staff.
Under clearing skies the immaculately turned out parade, formed by cadets of 2402 (Burghfield), 2403 (Aldermaston) and 381 (Reading) Squadrons headed off with the Union Flag in the lead, closely followed by the banners of the Royal British Legion, the Air Cadets and the Army Cadets. After a short march the formation arrived at St Mary’s church where wreaths were laid at the war memorial and also at the grave of a Battle of Britain pilot, Pilot Officer Eric Burgoyne of 19 Squadron who was killed when his Spitfire aircraft was shot down on the 27th September 1940. Continue reading
We are saddened to announce the death of a key supporter of Berkshire Air Cadets, Air Commodore Jack Frost CBE DFC FL RAF (Ret’d).
Air Commodore has a distinguished record in Royal Air Force having learnt to fly in America in 1941 before converting to the Typhoon which he flew in anger during the lead up to D-Day “The war was in force by then and we started flying from there before D-Day, attacking targets of various sorts in France, mainly in Normandy sealing off the approaches to Normandy so the Germans could not attack us,” he said “Once we crossed the Channel we stayed in Normandy. Continue reading
A team of cadets from 2402 (Burghfield) Squadron have won the inaugural Berkshire Skills Weekend in style. The event, which in this Cadet 150 year, featured teams from both the Army Cadets and Air Cadets, was held at Bramley Training Area in Hampshire and tested the cadets in skills such as teamwork, navigation, field craft, map reading and problem solving. Continue reading
Burghfield Air Cadet and Cadet 150 Ambassador, Flight Sergeant Ryan Franks has helped launch Cadet 150 at Buckingham Palace in the presence of HM The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.
18 year old Flight Sergeant Franks who has been a member of the 2402 (Burghfield) Squadron ATC for just over 4 years spent the preceding evening at a local army barracks meeting other Air Cadet Ambassadors as well as his Army and Sea Cadet counterparts and receiving a briefing on royal protocol from a member of Palace staff. Continue reading
Over 20 Thames Valley Wing cadets and staff have been honoured at a glittering awards ceremony held at Falklands House in Oxford for their work by Commandant of the Air Cadet Organisation; Air Commodore Ian Stewart.
Amongst the haul of awards were 16 Commandant Air Cadets Commendations, 3 South West Regional Commandants Certificates of Merit, a long service award, 4 Cadet Forces Medals and Clasps:– Continue reading
The 500th affiliation between the Royal British Legion and the Cadet Forces was celebrated in style at a ceremony with Burghfield Air Cadets, near Reading.
In front of veterans and proud parents, the cadets formed up before being addressed by their Commanding Officer, Flight Lieutenant Danny Norcross and long term supporter and Burghfield RBL President Air Commodore Jack Frost CBE DFC FL RAF (Ret’d). Following the exchange of affiliation certificates, a cake was cut in style using a ceremonial sword before the cadets and veterans had a chance to talk about their experiences. Continue reading
In a shock result, cadets from 1116 (Woodley) Squadron beat 2402 (Burghfield) Sqn into 2nd place in the Thames Valley Wing Challenge.
The event held over 2 days at Bramley Training Area attracted teams from 22 Squadrons. Activities on offer included a Night Exercise followed by a round robin exercise ranging from a view from the top of the High Ropes course to leadership, patrolling, orienteering, first aid and radio communications. 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