AIR CADETS VISIT HOME OF THE UK’S AIR DEFENCE

  • By Sqn Ldr Thompson
  • 22 September, 2016
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Air Cadets from Bristol and Gloucestershire Wing visited RAF Boulmer in Northumberland for their annual camp recently, taking part in a wide range of activities. 2016 is a special year for the air cadets as they are celebrating their 75th Anniversary. The week-long visit gave the cadets the opportunity to visit an active Royal Air Force station and experience first-hand life in the Service. During what proved to be a fantastic week, the cadets gained an understanding of RAF Boulmer – which is the hub of the UK Air Surveillance and Control Systems (ASACS) Force – and the vital role … Continue Reading →

RAF AIR CADETS MARK 75TH ANNIVERSARY IN STYLE

  • By Sqn Ldr Thompson
  • 22 September, 2016
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Air cadets from Nailsea helped the RAF Air Cadets celebrate their 75th anniversary in style at their national parade and musical extravaganza this week. Cadets Clasper, Whitcombe, and Flight Sgt Penfold, of 2467 (Nailsea) Squadron Air Training Corps joined the fun for the historic event at RAF Cranwell, Lincolnshire. They were some of up to 5,000 people attending with VIP guests including the new Chief of the Air Staff, ACM Sir Stephen Hillier, CBE, RAF, and Honorary Group Captain Carol Vorderman, MBE RAFVR(T) and flypasts from the Red Arrows, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and the RAF Falcons. The … Continue Reading →

National Torch Relay 2016

The National 75th Anniversary Torch Relay

It was the turn of Bristol & Gloucestershire Wing on the 25th August 2016 to receive the National Air Cadet Torch that represents 75 year of the Air Cadets. It had been travelling from John O’ Groats since 12th July 2016 through the other wings and was delivered at Hullavington the home of 621 VGS (Volunteer Gliding Squadron) by Dorset & Wiltshire Wing. After a short photo call it was handed over to Alumni Mr Tony Eve a retired Flt Lt and OC and Cdt Dimond from 1446 sqn. It was due to be flown to Colerne and 3 AEF … Continue Reading →

Exercise Northern Viking - Iceland Expedition

On 27 July 2016 seven cadets and two staff flew to Reykjavik for the adventure of a lifetime. Their aim is to commemorate the ATC’s 75th Anniversary by successfully completing Iceland’s spectacular Landmannalaugar trail. They will carry full expedition kit and camp out for five days. After the trail they will hike up to a glacier and go ice climbing with local guides before spending a day visiting natural hot springs. The cadets will be led on the Landmannalaugar trail by a qualified mountaineering instructor but, throughout the expedition, they will have to make their own decisions about how the group’s budget is spent. Exercise Northern Viking is another fantastic Bristol … Continue Reading →

Success for 1860 (East Bristol) Squadron at Wing Activities Day

  • By Sqn Ldr Thompson
  • 17 July, 2016
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A day of competitive activities was held at Buckley Barracks at the weekend in involving drill, modelling, sports, first aid aircraft recognition and among other things. Although it was hard fought there could only be one winner, 1860 Squadron led by Officer in Charge Flg Off (Flying Officer) Meg Wild RAFVR(T) rose to the challenge letting out a big cheer on hearing the results read out by Officer Commanding Bristol & Gloucestershire Wing, Wing Commander David Cox RAFVR(T). Flg Off Wild said “I am really proud of them, the agreement was if they win it was a trip to Nando’s on … Continue Reading →

The WREV at RIAT

Bristol & Gloucestershire WREV (Wing Recruiting & Educational Vehicle) was on display at the Royal International Air Tattoo over the weekend of 8th -10th July taking its place in the RAF Village. The new position proved to be very successful in capturing the interest of the public with young people flying the Viking simulator, dropping parachutes in the drop zone from the back of a Hercules model on a zip wire and the trusted old wire buzzer game. The weekend saw many enquiries from near and far with some children only aged 7 to 11 it gave them an insight of … Continue Reading →

75th Anniversary Parade at RIAT

  750 Air Cadets and Staff assembled at the Royal International Air Tattoo RAF Fairford for the 75th Anniversary Parade on Friday 8th July. Arriving from near & far the cadets and staff accompanied by the Air Cadets national band marched along Patrons Way where there was an “Eyes Right”, taking the salute was Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Andrew Pulford, and the Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, Dame Janet Trotter DBE. Thousands of onlookers were entertained with music as the proud cadets and staff took part in one of the biggest events of the year to … Continue Reading →

Going Back in Time

Annual camps with over 200 cadets, delaying a Wing Commander so cadets could eat their chips in peace, being interviewed in a pub for promotion by a Regional Commandant are some of the vivid memories of retired Wing Commander John Mandeville, who lives in Stroud. John joined the RAF in 1948 and completed basic training at RAF Padgate. During a lesson on ranks and badges he recalls being told that it was unlikely that he would ever see anyone above the rank of Wing Commander, unless on a big parade. That proved far from the case, as being posted to … Continue Reading →

High Flyer Elin

186 (Newent) Squadron has been honoured by having one of the highest achieving Air Cadets. 18 year old Cadet Warrant Officer Elin Caine beat off all opposition in the Southwest Region in order to be nominee for best female Air Training Corps Cadet and travel to RAF Cranwell for the annual Honours and Awards Ceremony, and to compete for the coveted Dacre Sword trophy. The award recipients began the day with a top table lunch at York House Officers’ Mess with Commandant Air Cadets, Air Commodore McCafferty and Group Captain J. Phillip Dacre, the cadets were then treated to a … Continue Reading →

Top Award for Jennie

Sgt Jennie Simmons has beaten 202 other candidates from across the UK to win the Quinton Memorial Trophy, for the student judged the best non-commissioned officer to attend a week-long initial training course. The candidates are measured on topics including uniform standards, attitude, instructional techniques theoretical knowledge and drill performance. Sgt Simmons from 1446 (Clevedon) Sqn, was presented with the coveted trophy at a prestigious awards ceremony at RAF College Cranwell, by Air Cdre Dawn McCafferty, Commandant Air Cadets.