Air Cadets and volunteers from across the Thames Valley Wing have been celebrating as they received as part of a national relay the 75th anniversary torch at a ceremony in Windsor on Sunday (21st August).
The 75th anniversary torch arrived from London and South East Region as part of its six-week tour through the country, with cadets, adult volunteers and veterans finding unique and adventurous ways to celebrate its journey. Continue reading
The staff of 612 Volunteer Gliding Squadron based at Abingdon had a productive end to the month of June by sending 18 students solo in their Vigilant T1 over six days, bringing the Squadron’s total for the first six months of the year to an impressive 54. The first 6 of the 18 were ATC cadets on weekend courses who all soloed on the same day. These solos took place on the day before the start of a continuous course which saw a further 10 ATC and CCF cadets solo over the next five days. With ‘trade’ running out, the staff of 612 brought in other weekend cadets and two more solos were achieved with two days of the course remaining. Continue reading
Pilots from 612 Volunteer Gliding Squadron at Abingdon, along with Air Cadets from across Thames Valley, have notched up an amazing number of glider launches in a single day as part of their dawn to dusk flying challenge.
Known as “The Longest Day”, the aim was to fly as many Air Cadets as possible throughout the day and to have great fun in the process. The 2009 figure of 86 cadets flown was easily broken with 156 individuals taking to the skies. Amongst those flown as part of this event was the Mayor of Abingdon, Councillor Duncan Brown (pictured above before his flight). Continue reading
Air Cadet Sisters Flight Sergeant Gemma and Corporal Nicola Beardsley have achieved a rare double in obtaining their gliding wings.
Gemma, aged 17 and Nicola, 16, who are both members of 1315 (Kidlington) Squadron completed a solo flight at Dalton Barracks, near Abingdon, in the hands of 612 Volunteer Gliding Squadron flying the Vigilant powered glider in a course of instruction over several weekends and with around 10 hours in the air. Continue reading
Almost 30 Thames Valley Wing Cadets, Staff and Civilian Committee Members have been awarded prestigious awards by Commandant Air Cadets, Air Commodore Gordon Moulds.
The awards were held at a glittering ceremony at Oxford’s Falklands House. After the awards the Commandant said “I hold the ACO Volunteer in extremely high regard as without the efforts of the volunteer there is not an organization. I am extremely pleased to have been given the opportunity to express my personal thanks and appreciation”
The following awards were made: Continue reading