An Active Autumn Camp For Air Cadets

Station Snippets AN ACTIVE AUTUMN CAMP FOR AIR CADETS!

Cdt Oliver Barnes, Cdt Joseph Hargreaves, Plt Off Chelsea Markham, 93 (City of Bath) Sqn, RAF Air Cadets

From the 22 - 29 October, over 70 Cadets and Staff from Bristol &

Gloucestershire Wing were lucky enough to attend a week-long Annual Camp at

RAF Halton which was the first one since returning from Covid. Throughout the week, the cadets learnt a lot about RAF Halton’s past and took part in a wide range of visits and activities centred around expanding their knowledge and appreciation of our parent organisation.

Day 1

Cadets and Staff travelled from across Bristol & Gloucestershire Wing to RAF Halton via coach. The cadets were sorted into flights and spent the evening settling into their new accommodation for the week.

Day 2

Was spent at the RAF Museum Hendon where cadets split into groups within their flights to complete the Quiz which went towards the inter-flight competition. Cadets had fun exploring the different Hangars and finding out more about the history of the RAF through the different interactive and informative exhibits.

Day 3

Started off with an engaging and inspiring talk from the Station Commander about RAF Halton’s past, present and future as well as talking through some of his own career highlights and how his RAF Career began as an Air Cadet. The cadets then travelled to RAF Brize Norton for the day where they had an informative talk about RAF Career options. They were then split into two groups, one going to see the A400M and the other off to see the C17 Globemaster. Both groups thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to look around and learn more about these operational aircraft. They then spent the afternoon with 1AMW where they were given an insight into the life of a mover, the role of UKMAMS and the operations they are involved in as well as getting to have a look at movements equipment and technology.

Day 4

Was spent at JITG Chicksands where the cadets were split up and rotated around 3 different activities throughout the day. Cadets thoroughly enjoyed the situational activity centred around pretending to be different types of terrorist groups protesting an environmentally unfriendly airport. They delivered excellent presentations trying to convince investors (staff) which means would be the most effective. They got to look around the Museum of Intelligence which contained lots of interesting history and interactive elements to learn more about Intelligence. There was also a very engaging activity with the RAF Aerial Intelligence which was looking at data gathering to see patterns and trends on car thefts in a certain locality.

Day 5

The first full day spent at RAF Halton included a variety of different visits. The cadets thoroughly enjoyed exploring the Halton Museum which was supplemented by the amazing volunteers who engaged with the cadets. They had fun trying on some of the RAF Officer Hats and got to sit in the Folland Gnat.

Cadets exploring the C17.

Cadets outside an A400. Arms Drill.

There was also the opportunity to visit the RTS Drill Instructors where the cadets got an introductory lesson to Arms Drill and talked about the extensive training the instructors gave as part of the Queen’s funeral. Cadets also got the opportunity to have a guided tour around Halton House which was very informative, and the cadets enjoyed finding out about all the famous TV shows and movies that have been filmed there. The afternoon was spent doing some STEM activities. The day ended with a visit to the Station Cinema where the Cadets got to watch Top Gun Maverick which they thoroughly enjoyed.

Day 6

This was an active day where the cadets spent the morning and early afternoon rotating through 3 different activities. They got to work on their teamwork skills on the low ropes course and the high ropes course and got to play a competitive game of rounders. They spent the rest of the afternoon practicing in their flights for the Drill Competition and perfecting their sequences.

Day 7

The final day was spent at the Airfield in the morning where the cadets got a very interesting talk from Gp Capt Mark Manwaring who informed the cadets of his exciting Flight of the Navigator project – many of the cadets look forward to following his journey and wish him lots of luck! They then got to split up and learnt about Halton airfield and got to spend some time looking around many of the different aircraft flown by Halton Aero Club and Halton Microlight Club as well as getting the chance to jump in the flight simulator! The afternoon was spent again on the Drill square, but this time for the actual Drill Competition which was very impressive considering the short time they had to work together. The day was rounded off with the end of camp function held at the RAFA Club which was a great success. The staff got the opportunity to acknowledge those that really impressed throughout the week and the cadets enjoyed giving out their paper plate awards. The programme for the week was jam packed and full of exciting opportunities delivered by fantastic staff and volunteers across all the different places that were visited. A huge thank you to all involved, especially the WOSM staff who kept the cadets and staff well fed and

catered for! Cadet camps like these are invaluable to widening interest and appreciation for the RAF and are thoroughly enjoyed by the Cadets who attend, often returning feeling motivated and inspired by the people they meet throughout the week.

Thank you Halton!

High Ropes Crate Challenge.

High Ropes. HMC Flight Simulator.