The success of the Thames Valley Wing sports teams continued recently with a fantastic haul of trophies at the recent inter-Wing athletics competition.

Held against the backdrop of the forthcoming Olympics, and with an Olympic torch in attendance, carried by the Regional Sports Officer, Squadron Leader Costin, the competition saw cadets from across the South West Region pitted against one another to win the various pieces of silverware on offer and also to gain a place on the team to compete against the other Regions in the Corps later this year at RAF Cosford. 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 →

When Thames Valley Veteran, Flight Lieutenant Mike Kidley returned from a Hong Kong based International Air Cadet Exchange back in 2009  he never thought he would be able to return to meet Far East colleagues again.  Well, this all changed when he received an invite from one of these friends to return to see a Summer Camp – Hong Kong Style!

Mike takes up the story ” It all started in 2009 when I was selected to go to Hong Kong as an Escort Officer with three cadets on an IACE visit. When the visit was over, I returned to UK  not knowing when or if I would ever go back and visit the many friends I made during the camp.  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 →

A team of select cadets from 594 (Thame) Squadron proved they were the best in a test of field craft skills held recently at Bramley Training Area.

The weekend had originally been scheduled for a Inter-Service Competition with the Sea Cadet Corps and Army Cadet Force – but when the other cadet services pulled out the weekend was quickly offered to all of Thames Valley Wing’s Squadrons, 7 of which took up this short notice challenge. Continue reading →

Take a quiet Oxfordshire town, add a member of Royalty,  The Scots Guards, a rare set of medals worth £3 Million and 30 Air Cadets and you are certain to get a very special event!

The 1st Battalion of the Scots Guards were being awarded the Freedom of Wantage in the presence of HRH The Duke of Kent  to say thank you for their service and to also commemorate the first ever Victoria Cross. Local Air Cadets from Wantage and Didcot were on hand to make sure the day went without a hitch! Continue reading →

Thames Valley Wings Marching Teams have been in action at RAF Cosford qualifying in style for the Dutch Nijmegen Marches being held in July. Continue reading →

Civilian Instructor Darren Kidley has been awarded a commendation by Commander in Chief Air Command, Air Chief Marshal Simon Bryant at a recent ceremony to honour 29 service and civilian personnel. Continue reading →

RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire was the location for the first training course of 2011 when 8 new members of adult staff were given an introduction to the structure, roles and policies of the Air Training Corps and Thames Valley Wing. Continue reading →

The Thames Valley Wing Marching Team have started their training with an aim of being selected for the world famous Nijmegen Marches held in Holland each July.  The team have a lot to live up to as they are past multiple winners of the prestigious Jon Ford Trophy for being the best Air Cadet team in the marches as well as having a reputation for marching at a strong pace, beating many regular service teams along the way! Continue reading →