Thames Valley Wing has, over the past few months, been running a series of ‘Self Defence and Conflict Management’ courses via TDSU that are available for cadets and staff; the most recent being on Saturday, 28^th September. The courses are run by WO Miller of 1996 (Earley) Sqn who is a Master Level Self Defence Instructor with the Self Defence Federation, and his colleague WO Powditch of 2121 (Abingdon) Sqn. The courses are aimed at teaching cadets to manage conflict in confrontational situations and basic self-defence actions in a controlled environment. 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, 7^th 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 →

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 →

14 cadets and 1 staff member from Burghfield, Aldermaston, Wantage, Wallingford, Henley and Reading Squadrons attended the BCU 1 and 2 star courses at Adventure Dolphin in Pangbourne.

The majority of the Cadets worked towards and passed their BCU 1 Star certificate in an Open Canoe, the remaining Cadets and Staff progressed towards their 2 star or did refresher training. Continue reading →

On a very cold Sunday 24 February, 54 cadets and 40 staff and friends, from 10 Squadrons across Thames Valley Wing, attended the Madjeski Stadium in Reading to see London Irish play London Wasps in the Aviva Premiership Rugby.  The event was organised between the RAF Benevolent Fund and London Irish, with the Club offering concessionary tickets to all within the RAF community, with a donation on RAF/ATC ticket sales towards the Fund.

Whilst an RAF Recruiting Trailer, and the Wing’s WASP Media trailer, demonstrated the ‘Light-Blue’ presence outside the Ground, the cadets enjoyed ‘team’ photos on the pitch before the match, and then provided a Guard of Hour, tunnel-lining party, for the teams as they came out for the second-half. Continue reading →

Cadets and staff from 2403 (Aldermaston) Squadron have been busy brushing up on Field Craft skills at their local Wasing training area. After an overcast and foggy start to the day the cadets and staff were blessed with the first rays of Spring sunshine later in the day.

After a revision session the cadets, led by Squadron boss Flight Lieutenant Penny Palmer, Flight Sergeant Chris Randall and Civilian Instructor Mark Beddoes, spent the rest of the day learning new skills working in small teams to complete a number of tasks which became more complex during the day. Continue reading →

Having experienced the delights of a mornings flying with 2 AEF at RAF Benson, a group of cadets had the added bonus of a sneak visit to see the air ambulance helicopter.

Arranged by Warrant officer Dan Twigg, the accompanying officer on the day, the cadets from 1116 (Woodley), 2402 (Burghfield) and 2403 (Aldermaston) Squadrons were surprised when it was announced that they would be going to look around the helicopter. 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 →

What do you get if you take 100 Air Cadets, a confidence course, the RAF Outreach Team and a choice of field craft training areas – well you get the most successful  greens camp offered by Thames Valley Wing to date!

The camp, now in its third year at Pirbright Camp in Surrey, was aimed at the Wing’s younger cadets with a three day “Blue Phase” which was followed by a two day “Green Phase” field craft exercise.  Also in the mix were a VIP engagement day and a myriad of evening social activity. Continue reading →