RAF Halton Summer Camp 2009

I and 4 other cadets form 44F (City of Bradford) Sqn were part of the 47 strong summer camp at RAF Halton, Buckinghamshire, the Recruit Training and Airman’s Command Squadron home base. We arrived to refreshing southern rain after a coach ride down from Yorkshire.



RAF Halton, established July 1914, is a non-technical ground training station which deals with initial training (usually 9 weeks) for all non-commissioned entrants to the Royal Air Force except the RAF regiment. With this in mind we were staying on one of the busiest and active RAF stations. On arrival we were sorted into flights and rooms before our initial brief, basic fire, health and safety followed by staff introductions. For the majority of the camp we were to be in uniform to distinguish us from the new civilian entrants as otherwise this would be impossible - some of the cadets were older than the recruits!

A dash through the rain to a long awaited tea was welcomed by all before setting out on our first Familiarization Exercise (Fam-ex). This involves exploring the RAF station and getting to know what’s what and where it is - making it easier for navigation later in the week.

Sunday was early up and an RAF cooked breakfast before the camp split in 2 groups; one for flying first and drill later and the other vise versa. After flying at RAF Benson 6AEF we returned to Halton ready to leave for bowling that evening. After a long day we couldn’t wait to get to bed and continue with the exciting week ahead.


Monday saw out first section visit; RTS or Recruit Training Squadron and then the Lord Trenchard Museum. Camp photo then off to the catering section for an insight into the business and training of the vital role. Monday night was planned the night-exercise so we cam creamed up and set off in our DPMs all syked for our missions. After a lesson in Cam and Concealment we were split into 4 sections to finish our given missions. Soon light levels dropped and we were working in the total darkness. Once completed we headed back to the barrack block.

Tuesday was met bleiry eyed and bleiry weathered as the usually morning routine of up, dress, breakfast and inspection commenced. We headed for the high ropes course on the station which was enjoyed by all. We then started training on the L98A1 rifle and carried this on for most of the afternoon. In the evening we were kept busy in the swimming pool with cadets participating in the basic and intermediate swimming competence awards and then chilling with a free swim.


Wednesday morning was a visit to the logistics training squadron where we experenced the full line of training and learnt about the most diverse trade in the air force. The afternoon saw Weapon’s Handling Tests, more training and drill followed by an orienteering exercise that afternoon based in the woods outside the station. In the evening we set off for our Physical Training session with huge games of rounders which was loved by all - especially the clear winners A Flight.


Thursday saw more weapons training and shooting with most cadets firing the L98A1. In the evening was the much anticipated drill competition held in the main drill hall at Halton and the occasion was marked by a Corporal with 9 years Queen’s Color Squadron experience. The competition was very close and everyone performed amazingly and compliments and crepitations were given out.


For our last real day on Friday we had a trip to Duxford Air Museum or training on the L98A2. Those that went to Duxford had an amazing time at one of the country’s best collections of airplanes and exhibitions. They were met by the lucky cadets trained on the A2 that evening for the camp’s final parade. The parade was taken by the Commanding Officer and he announced certain awards for best cadet, JNCO, SNCO, Shooter, New Cadet and more as well as announcing the winner of the inter-flight competition - B Flight. We then changed and set off for the camp disco. The disco was enjoyed by all - including the staff who joined in! It gave time and chance for more relaxed friendship building and start relationships that will last a very long time. After a short time packing we jumped into bed for our promised lie in - breakfast being pushed back almost an hour!


After an emotional last RAF meal we packed and cleaned and said good byes with the cadets ‘paper plate’ awards for fellow cadets and staff members. The final coach ride back North was slept by some exhausted cadets and staff while others spent the valuable time trading Facebook and MSN details and discussed plans for meeting up later.

On the whole everyone had an amazing week meeting new people, joining in with various activities, gaining experiences and lessons we will keep for a long time to come. We thank the staff who were with us and those at RAF Halton for making it a week to remember!

Squadron Embraces the D of E Awards

Cadets at 44F (City of Bradford) Squadron have embraced the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme (D of E) with all cadets taken part in, either, their Bronze, Silver or Gold Award.
 

In order to achieve the awards the cadets have to complete various tasks, covering Skills, Service, Volunteering and an Expedition. Each cadet has chosen what they want to do for the various sections and how long it would take them to do the task. First Aid and Expedition modules are taught, including camp craft skills.With the whole Squadron involved it makes achieving the Awards a little easier when you undertake task with people you know, for the cadets it was easy, because they learn to work as a team and to help each other.
 

Officer Commanding Flight Lieutenant Robin Farman RAFVR(T) said “The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme is an Internationally recognised Life Skill. The skills the Cadets gain are easily transferred to working life and as such the D of E is an excellent addition to the Cadets life portfolio. I am immensely proud of the Cadets for taking on this challenge and look forward to the day I see them all being presented with their Awards.

Cyprus Camp 2009

On 15th of April 2009, fifty four air cadets from all over the country flew out to Lamaca airport in Cyprus heading for a ten day camp at Royal Air Force Akrotiri. When we arrived at the base, we were taken to the mess were we had our first meal. After dinner we were taken to monument of a BAC Lightning were we had our camp photo. Unfortunately, instead of the glorious sunshine that we were expecting, there was heavy rain which soaked us in a matter off minutes. After getting wet, we then had our arrival brief were we were told what we were doing to do throughout our ten day stay. 



Throughout our week during the day we had various section visits including the Royal Logistics Corps Bomb Disposal Unit, where we had a chance to control a robot which could rip off a car door with ease. They told us that it could fire a high pressure water blast which could go through a car or open a suitcase with a secure lock.

ater, we visited the engineering squadron, which had a Tornado GR4 and a Eurofighter Typhoon under repair. We also took part in leadership tasks at the fire section where we competed against another team; the losing team had to walk though a decontamination shower which had water shooting out at high pressure, we all ended up running through it anyway. We also went to visit the Red Arrows, which everyone was looking forward to, followed by a brief meet with the team as they were walking up from the aircraft after practicing their display.




During our stay in Cyprus we visited the capital city of Nicosia where the green line passes though separating the island in half. We learned that in the small strip called the “buffer zone”, UN patrols make sure that no-one is in there as they are likely to be shot by either the Turkish guards who guard their border, or the Cypriote Forces who guard their border. In some areas it’s no more than one hundred meters apart so in many cases the two apposite guards can see each other at all times of the day.


After we had been in the buffer zone, the UN gave us a crowd control demonstration which included three armoured personnel carriers, after which, we all got a chance to have a ride around the abandoned airport. We were then taken back to the coach in an eight vehicle convoy which included four small minibuses and four Mitsubishi Warriors all marked up with UN along the side and back. We got quite a few looks from the pedestrians!
 


Later, we visited a seaside town of Paphos and went on a three hour cruise  up the coast, where we jumped off the back of the ship and swam in the sea. Everyone really enjoyed the journey. 

Only one of the evenings out off the 10 days, we had nothing planned which suited us as we played football and basketball for hours. All the other evenings, we went out and had a good time. One night, we went out to a Greek restaurant were they taught us a little bit of Greek dancing and then showed us how it was done. Another, we went to a beach barbecue where some of us went in the sea. We also went bowling, go-karting and did some karaoke!
 
Finally, on the last night we had our presentation evening, where Sqn Ldr Duff (Red 8) presented everyone's certificates. On the final day, we travelled back to the cold and
wet climate of the UK. None of us wanted to leave.

Beckingham Camp 2008

Nearly three hundred and fifty cadets and almost one hundred staff from South and West Yorkshire Wing returned this weekend from the annual Wing Camp at Beckingham Training area in Lincolnshire.
 
With the drawdown on camp places on RAF stations meaning fewer opportunities for cadets, some years ago the Wing began a massed camp exercise to allow more places to be available.
 
With 34 of the 39 South & West Yorkshire Squadrons represented the camp was a mammoth exercise for Squadron Leader Trevor Souter, the Camp Director. “With so many cadets and staff travelling from all quarters of the wing it took eight coaches and some mini busses to get everyone here and back” said Trevor and he added “However, with the activities being in modules, and the qualified staff giving up so much time, the week flew by and a great deal has been achieved.”
 
The cadets were divided into 6 flights, A to F, with a mixture of cadets from across the wing in each, and each had a series of rotating modules to complete on different days.
 
Within the shooting module, there were opportunities for both .22 25m ranges and L98 100m shooting. Some very lucky cadets also got the chance to train on the new L85 rifle which will be coming into service during 2009. In addition to the range activities there was plenty of dry training and a series of weapons handling tests meaning ever cadet on the camp either qualified or moved up a grade in shooting terms and they all got the opportunity to fire.

Wing Shooting Officer, Flight Lieutenant Barry French said, “This camp gives us the chance to upgrade and maintain high levels of marksmanship throughout the wing. A number of awards have been reached and for some cadets, this is the only opportunity they get to fire full bore weapons. The shooting team are all very highly qualified and safety is absolutely paramount in all activities we do.”

Another shooting opportunity was the DCCT range, a computerised indoor range which allowed the cadets to take part in scenarios but within a safe environment. The DCCT range uses gas powered laser weapons and is the military equivalent to Laser Quest, but with more meaning.
 
For the Fieldcraft/Command tasks module, another fun day, the cadets had the opportunity to go through full training in camouflage and concealment, observation, movement and reconnaissance. For the first time this year, this module was taught by Instructor Cadets, Warrant Officer Richard Armstrong and Flight Sergeant Adam Ellis from 2460 (Pontefract) Squadron but under the supervision of ex-cadet and RAF Police Corporal Gareth Hall who gave up a week of his time to support the camp.

Richard said “This section gave us the chance to put into practice the new ACP 16 manual and as we had attended the planning weekends, we volunteered to run the activity”. Adam added, “We had a great time running the module and hopefully the cadets have enjoyed it too.”
 
For the command tasks, once again under the guidance of Warrant Officer (ATC) Pete Catrwright, the cadets found themselves handling nuclear bombs and building “bashers” to sleep in as well as crossing rivers of shark infested custard and crawling under obstacles. Pete commented, “This is a fun activity and this year we’ve been able to develop it to test the leadership skills and teamwork of all the cadets on camp. It’s rewarding to see their faces when the penny finally drops and they work out the solution to the task as well as to see their confidence grow and communication improve.”
 

Richard said “This section gave us the chance to put into practice the new ACP 16 manual and as we had attended the planning weekends, we volunteered to run the activity”. Adam added, “We had a great time running the module and hopefully the cadets have enjoyed it too.”
 
For the command tasks, once again under the guidance of Warrant Officer (ATC) Pete Catrwright, the cadets found themselves handling nuclear bombs and building “bashers” to sleep in as well as crossing rivers of shark infested custard and crawling under obstacles. Pete commented, “This is a fun activity and this year we’ve been able to develop it to test the leadership skills and teamwork of all the cadets on camp. It’s rewarding to see their faces when the penny finally drops and they work out the solution to the task as well as to see their confidence grow and communication improve.”
 
The adventure training module saw the on-site climbing wall being put to good use with the cadets developing their skills and techniques under the guidance of professional staff bought in for the week. By the end of the half day events, the cadets had the opportunity to climb a variety of obstacles and there were some happy faces when they sat on top of the structure looking down on where they had been. This also gave them chance to build on their teamwork skills and practice climbing techniques.

The wet activities during the other half of the day took place at Newark Canoe Club, with all the facilities and equipment as well as instruction provided by the club. The cadets learnt kayaking and canoeing skills as well as how to fall out, get wet, get back in and fall out again. Probably the highlight of the day was the launch ramp where the task was to try and remain upright as the canoe ran down the ramp into the lake. Not all achieved it and many rolled over but Warrant Officer (ATC) Iain Kirk (103 (Doncaster) Squadron) managed a superb solo effort, on his second attempt, and stayed in the boat, and the right way up to the applause of his cadets and staff colleagues.

Iain said, “The water just comes up so fast, you just have to hang on and hope. It’s been a fantastic event and I think I’m going to have to look into doing more of this when I get back. I’m sure there are some local facilities in Doncaster and all the cadets would love to do this again.”
 
The final module was the “Alton Towers” day when the flight went off to the world famous theme park to ride things like Oblivion and the strangely named Rita as well as “Air” and some truly scary machinery. Despite the queues over the bank holiday weekend, this was a fun day and a welcome break from the camp environment.
 
In addition, there were evening activities and events taking place. As well as the “Best Burger Van in the World” being on site for those hungry cadets who could still manage to eat after three full meals, (which means most of them), the computer range was available and the Wing Band Officer, Flying Officer Lizzie Arnott, was on hand assisted by Sergeant (ATC) Andrea Nash to provide musical opportunities and instruction. Along with all the general socialising taking place, when there was time for it, the camp returned home, tired but happy on Saturday to present parents and partners with huge bags of washing.
 
So would they go again in 2009. “YOU BET THEY WOULD!”