East & West Sectors of Thames Valley Wing have been training together at Bramley Training Area in Hampshire to undertake a variety of  “Are You On Target?” activities.  Cadets travelled from across Berkshire to the local ACF Weekend Training Centre to boost their skills and to work with staff and cadets from another Sector and other Squadrons.

Based at the Berkshire ACF Weekend Training Centre almost 40 cadets and 12 staff have provided training in Heartstart, Fieldcraft Introduction, Fieldcraft Development, Fieldcraft Leadership, No 8 Rifle Training, NNAS Navigation Training, Camps and a development package for potential Cadet NCO’s. Continue reading →

Each January staff and staff cadets from across the wing gather at RAF Halton to attend the annual Wing Training Day. This provides the opportunity to find out the latest changes on subjects such as the ‘Duke of Edinburgh’s Award’ and syllabus training. Staff also reflect back on the previous year and look ahead to ensure that the cadet experience is been delivered to the best of the ability of squadrons and wing staff within Thames Valley. This year’s training day saw a visit by Gp Capt Cole from RAF Brize Norton who provided an insight into the RAF as it currently stands and updates on RAF Brize Norton with the introduction of the Voyager fleet and upcoming arrival of the Atlas fleet. Continue reading →

Cdt FS Osasona from 2477 (Britwell) squadron attended RAF Valley in January to experience a once in a life time opportunity to have a flight in a hawk aircraft. She attended Easter Camp last year and was awarded Best NCO to which she was award the opportunity to fly in the Hawk and has told us how the day went.

“First of all, I’d like to say that this opportunity was the best of my life. I was in Southampton on Wednesday 8^th January when I got the call that I was expected to report to RAF Valley Anglesey the very next day. I was panicking a little about transport arrangements, but thankfully Sqn Ldr Beardsley took an entire day out of his holiday to get a member of wing staff to give up a day to take me up there. Continue reading →

ach year Thames Valley Wing holds its Inter Squadron bowling competition at RAF Brize Norton where the squadrons get together before the Christmas break with each squadron been allowed to enter 2 teams. With the event always being a good day out for the cadets and staff this year’s event was no exception with everyone enjoying themselves and some good scores been achieved at the end of the day.

459 (Windsor) Squadron provide their story on how the competition went for the squadron on the day. Continue reading →

During the October half term 28 cadets and 8 staff from Thames Valley Wing headed to RAF Linton-on-Ouse for their autumn camp on an operational, RAF station. It was a busy week for the cadets as they got to experience activities both on and off base, experience what life is like on an RAF station and meet new people with 17 of the wings squadrons been represented at the camp. For many of the cadets this was their first week long camp and were kept very busy with lots of activities and chance to discover what happens on an RAF base. 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 →

Each year many squadrons gather together to parade in remembrance of the ‘Battle of Britain’ which happened during the summer and autumn of 1940. It was the first major air campaign in which the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) sought to gain air superiority against the RAF (Royal Air Force). At the end of the campaign after the largest air attack on the 15^th September, former Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill summed up the efforts of Fighter Command with the now famous quote “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few“.

On the 3^rd Sunday of September Air Cadets take part in parades across the United Kingdom and WO Rawlings, OC 2477 (Britwell) Squadron provides feedback on this year’s parade by 2477 and 459 (Windsor) squadrons. 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 →

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 4^th 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 →