Eight cadets and five staff from 2328 (Bishops Cleeve) Squadron completed the last adventure training exercise on the Malvern Hills. Taking full advantage of a rare good weather day, the cadets scaled the highest point, Worcestershire Beacon (425m) and then, North Hill (397m), the second highest peak before returning via the famous Malvern College to their start point.
During 2015, 2328 Squadron grew in size not only achieving a large number of Duke of Edinburgh Awards itself but also helping cadets from other units complete their Awards.
Cadet helps others gain first aid qualification
A cadet sergeant from 2002 (Kingswood) Squadron recently helped eighteen cadets from other units gain their Youth First Aid qualifications. After an intensive two day course at Stroud delivered by an excellent team of 2002 Squadron volunteer instructors, cadets from 125 (Cheltenham), 649 (Dursley), 1245 (Cirencester) and 1329 (Stroud) Squadrons successfully passed assessments and are now entitled to wear their first aid badges with pride. More importantly they have the skills to save someone’s life.
Cadets support WW2 Typhoon veterans at Legion d’Honneur Ceremony
Cadets from 181 (City of Gloucester) and 1329 (Stroud) Squadrons proudly supported the presentation ceremony of France’s highest honour, La Legion d’Honneur, to six pilots who flew Typhoons and a Lancaster veteran during the liberation of France. The medals were presented by French Brigadier Géneral Thierry Ducret from the NATO Allied Rapid Reaction Corps at a ceremony at the Jet Age Museum at Gloucestershire Airport. The airport is very near to Brockworth Airfield where all 3317 Hawker Typhoon aircraft were built. Coincidentally 181 Squadron was a RAF Typhoon Squadron in the Second World War. The event, concluding with a flypast by a current Royal Air Force Typhoon, was featured on BBC TV News
Exmoor D of E Award expeditions
Thirty five cadets took part in Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expeditions on Exmoor. Eleven cadets completed Bronze qualifying and seven Silver qualifying expeditions. Thanks go to the volunteer assessors and supervisors who gave up their time to organise the event and support the cadets.
B & G are the winners
An early start for the cadets and staff of Bristol & Gloucestershire Wing but well worth it after they won the Region overall trophy at the activities day which took place at RAF Odiham, a talking point for the journey home. Well done B&G!
RAF cadets play leading roles at Cheltenham Battle of Britain Parade
Sixty RAF cadets took part in the 75th Anniversary Battle of Britain Parade in Cheltenham. Commanded by Squadron Leader Ken Bennett RAF VR(T), the Parade was led by 1329 (Stroud) Squadron band and included veterans, regular RAF personnel and two flights of RAF cadets. After an Act of Commemoration at the Cenotaph, the Parade marched past civic dignatries including the Mayor of Cheltenham and Air Vice Marshall Mason.
A gallery of pictures was published in the Gloucestershire Echo newspaper:
http://www.gloucestershireecho.co.uk/pictures/Battle-Britain-commemoration-parade-Cheltenham/pictures-27833650-detail/pictures.html
Royal visitor surprises cadets
649 (Dursley) Squadron enjoyed the unexpected company of HRH Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex last Sunday when he visited their stand at the Frampton Fair. The cadets were spending the day promoting the squadron by use of the WREV with its newly fitted glider simulator which was a great success. Prince Edward spent about 10 minutes speaking to the cadets about their squadron and then very generously posed for a group photo before he moved on.
1245 Squadron Lunch
Guests sat down for lunch at quarter to one to celebrate 1245 (Cirencester) Squadron’s recent award of squadron status. The event was attended by current cadets and seven ‘Quarter to One’ old boys who served with the unit in the 1950s before it disbanded. Sixty plus years later the former cadets are thrilled that the new Cirencester Squadron has got their original unit number back less than four years after it formed as a Detached Flight. The Squadron’s President Air Commodore Barbara Cooper, former Commandant Air Cadets spoke after lunch and formally promoted two of the Squadron’s cadets.
Pictures of the event are at: https://twitter.com/cirencesteratc
International Mountain Leader Training
CI Raphael l’Hoste of 2328 (Bishops) Cleeve Squadron recently attended an Introduction to the International Mountain Leader Award course in France. Based out of the Maritime Alps, six ATC Summer Mountain Leaders were introduced to the planning that needs to go behind an international expedition and the syllabus of the IML, which included: environmental considerations including flora and forna, security on steep ground inlcuding use of fixed equipment, and navigation and route-finding.The IML course is intended to be an annual opportunity. Hosted in a comfortable gite, in fine alpine countryside, and expertly led, Raphael says it is definitely recommended.
Next month other instructors are attending a Hill and Moorland Leader training course at Windermere. These are some of the fantastic opportunities available through the ATC’s Adventure Training Instructor Scheme. Details of courses can be found in the AT section of the Wing Sharepoint site.
R.I.A.T. 2015 AC Display
Good weather and an excellent flying display was the perfect background for the official opening of the Bristol & Gloucestershire Wing’s WREV (Wing Recruiting & Educational Vehicle) at the 2015 R.I.A.T RAF Fairford. The Commandant Air Commodore Dawn McCafferty & the Ambassador Honorary Grp Cpt Carol Vorderman shared the official opening of the vehicle. The project has been a collaboration between the Wing Committee and the Wing Staff and has been an 18 month labour of dedication to the small team led by Fg Off Kevin Hill now OC 37 Sqn. With a moving Viking cockpit simulator and LED screen it gives a good example to potential young and older people what we do. There is still some work to be done on the vehicle but it is fit for all squadrons in the Wing to use.