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RAF Air Cadet wins Aim High scholarship

A 2328 (Bishop’s Cleeve) Squadron cadet sergeant recently won a place on an exciting week with the Fly2Help charity at Gloucestershire Airport. Aim High (https://www.fly2help.org/aim-high/) is its education programme that “helps young people learn about the world of aviation and gain confidence and a belief in themselves” at Biggin Hill, Gloucestershire, Luton and Oxford airports.

The 2328 Squadron cadet sergeant explains how Aim High helped: “I attended the October Fly2help week and it was an extremely interesting and enlightening experience into the careers of many in the aviation industry. Throughout the week we attended a tour of Gloucestershire Airport, visited Rolls Royce, had a flying experience, visited RAF Brize Norton, had a talk from a TUI pilot and a Dowty engineer and much more. It was extremely helpful in gaining information on a career path in aviation and I got an insight into the day to day experience of this. While there I met 9 other aviation enthusiasts and shared this week with them, which was lovely to meet others with the same interests. We were hosted by the lovely Kim Davenport who organises this week twice a year with a range of activities and trips and to anyone interested in anything linked to an aviation career this week was a must.”

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NCO & Duke of Edinburgh Training Success

Sixty five cadets and staff from across the South West Region travelled to Okehampton Battle Camp this weekend for personal development and training.

About 40 cadets were put through their paces, learning about and being assessed in their drill & uniform standards, leadership and presentation skills. It was a long weekend of training but they managed to maintain their enthusiasm and good humour!

A number of staff and senior cadets came to learn about how to successfully deliver the Duke of Edinburgh Award and undertake Expedition Assessments. Their success on the course enables us to increase the number of Duke of Edinburgh Expeditions we are able to support, improving our delivery of the “Cadet Experience”.

Well done and thanks to all who attended. Particular thanks go to the Directing Staff, without who these courses cannot run.

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Cadets visit RAF Brize Norton to learn about the A400

Eleven cadets from 2328 (Bishops Cleeve) Squadron were recently hosted by the A400M Training Services Department at RAF Brize Norton where aircrews and ground crews prepare to work on one of the Royal Air Force’s latest aircraft. The cadets rotated through three sections to learn about the Airbus A400M.

These sections included the flight simulator where the cadets experienced taxiing, take off and flying in various conditions. Cadets also visited the classroom where technicians are trained to maintain the aircraft. They also went inside a full size A400M fuselage to learn how the aircraft is loaded and the role played by the loadmaster. Rear doors were closed and stretchers were fixed in place so the cadets could appreciate how casualties can be transported.

The cadets really appreciated the efforts of their hosts in putting on a truly educational and very memorable visit.

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Alpine Adventure 2017

RAF Air Cadets from Northern and Southern Ireland, Scotland, Jersey and across the UK, have just taken part in a fantastic Alpine skiing exercise in Germany. Over the February half term holiday, 120 cadets took part in the exercise, named Alpine Adventure, which has now been staged in Bavaria for 20 consecutive years.

Most cadets had never put on skis before but by the end of the week they were able to emulate Ski Sunday by taking part in a slalom they also achieved different levels of Snowlife Awards. During the week cadets skied at four different ski areas, including one in Austria, and enjoyed sunny weather for five out of the six days. The cadets also visited a swimming complex with spectacular slides, went ten pin bowling and took part in a Gala Night. Last year Commandant Air Cadets, Air Commodore Dawn McCafferty, saw for herself the amount of dedication and effort applied by the attending staff which accumulated in a Commandant’s Commendation for those who attended, a true testament to its success.

Alpine Adventure, organised by Bristol and Gloucestershire Wing, now involves a large number of other Wings. This year an Alpine Ski Leader (ASL) course ran in parallel to build up the number of volunteer ski leaders for the future. Plans are now being made for 2018 and any new staff interested can find more information here or contact the Project Officer, Flight Lieutenant SallyAnne Grimshaw via [email protected].

[metaslider id=2603]

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Exercise Polish Eagle Reunion

On 30th September ex cadets and staff of 2467 (Nailsea) Squadron got together with other participants from Exercise Polish Eagle 2006 for the 10th Anniversary. In 2006, Squadron Leader John Radford the Officer Commanding Nailsea Squadron together with help from George Peszynski the Honorary Polish Consul in Bristol put together an expedition for 40 staff and cadets to Poland. Taking in Warsaw, Krakow, Zakopane and a number of other locations the expedition was designed to build links and allow Air Cadets to learn more about the history and culture of Poland.

10 years later it was decided that it would be a sensible time for as many of the participants as possible to meet up for a meal at Cadbury House in Congresbury to recollect the expedition and find out what they all now do. The meal was specially designed and put together by the hotel to bring a taste of Poland to North Somerset. Most of the evening was spent meeting up with old acquaintances and re-establishing lost links. George Peszynski and his wife Krystyna were once again Guests of Honour for the evening having worked tirelessly in 2006 to assist in making the Expedition happen.

Social media was used to get in touch with all the original participants, with some coming from as far away as Durham and London for the event.

The Exercise Polish Eagle was part of what the Air Cadets continue to offer young people in the town.

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

A day of competitive activities was held at Buckley Barracks at the weekend in involving drill, modelling, sports, first aid, and aircraft recognition amongst other things. Although it was hard fought there could only be one winner, 1860 (East Bristol) Squadron led by Officer in Charge Flying Officer Meg Wild 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. Flying Officer Wild said “I am really proud of them, the agreement was if they win it was a trip to Nando’s on the way home”.

Cadet Warrant Officer Grey receiving the trophy from Wing Commander Cox
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Bristol & Glos. Wing Staff and Cadets pass BEL Assessment

BGWing on BEL Course
BGWing on BEL Course

Congratulations to Bristol and Glos. Wing’s 9 staff and 2 cadets who passed their BEL assessments today in the Cotswolds.

Thanks go to all the tutors who gave their time to make it possible and whose approach was praised by the Sports Leader UK External Validator.

The new Basic Expedition Leaders will achieve a Level 3 qualification that will increase the Wing’s capacity to deliver adventure training and Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expeditions.

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Cadets follow the stars

Walking the Mendip Hills at night was the challenge for cadets from 2146 (South East Bristol) and 2152 (North Bristol) Squadrons. After first establishing a campsite, the cadets and accompanying staff used the stars and land relief to successfully navigate across Beacon Batch and Black Down in the dark. Weather and conditions were ideal and all the cadets enjoyed the experience.

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Cadet Rescues Dog

047_39263Mayne_047Congratulations all round for a team of Air Cadets who acted on initiative and were able to reunite a much beloved dog with its family. The young Labrador concerned was out for a walk with friends of the family on the Mendips on Bank Holiday Monday during which it wandered off beyond the scope of its familiar whistle which caused consternation when she didn’t return. Some time later, after asking everyone they met to keep an eye out for her, the only people who did more than nod was Cpl Farr and his team who were on a DofE expedition in the area. Cpl Farr and Cdt Whiting spoke in detail with the family. Farr took the families telephone number and immediately passed the word back to his superiors requesting them to remain vigilant. Some time later, the dog was spotted by Cpl Agbabi and Cpl Farr tried to catch her but she again ran off. Not daunted by the prospect of a chase, Cpl Farr used this advantage and herded the labrador in the direction of the family. Eventually Cpl Farr was able to shout to the family and the dog returned to them safely. They were very relieved to see the dog again but were even more impressed at actions of Cpl Farr and his team. DofE is an excellent way of learning and encouraging personal development which leads youngsters to integrate more fully with the community.