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On Sunday 8th October eight cadets accompanied by adult Sgt. Spearman from 1031 ( Frome ) Sqn. travelled to Popham airfield near Basingstoke to attend the Popham airfield "fly in" where they had the opportunity to help prepare and fly in an Antonov AN-2 .
Their duties included manually rotating the propeller to prime the engine with oil to prepare the engine for the "firing sequence". The pilots then started the engine and began pre flight checks.
After the preparation was complete the cadets and staff boarded ready for their flight.
During the flight the cadets were invited to spend a few minutes in the cock pit with the pilot and co-pilot where they were given a brief description of the aircrafts controls.
After the flight, time was spent looking at some of the other aircraft that had attended the "fly in" these included vintage military aircraft and many civilian aircraft.
No. 1955 (City of Wells) Squadron are celebrating winning the Somerset Inter-Cadet Services Competition, which was recently held at Norton Manor Camp near Taunton.
Wells Air Cadets last won the event in 1985 when the competition was staged at Yoxter Camp on the Mendip hills.
The Inter-Cadet Services Competition takes place over a weekend with participants from The Army Cadets, Sea Cadet Corps and Air Training Corps, fielding teams of five.
Events include shooting, orienteering, camp craft, initiative exercises and first aid.
Wells ACF gained second place with No. 1032 (Yeovil) Squadron in third position. No. 2277 (Castle Cary) Squadron were the overall best shots of the competition. Cadet Sergeant Caitlyn Borley of No. 1182 (Shepton Mallet) Squadron winning the individual high score in the L98 shoot.
Cadets from No. 914 (Glastonbury & Street) and No. 1182 (Shepton Mallet) Squadrons recently had the opportunity to see a Royal Navy Lynx helicopter close up when it landed near to the Headquarters of Glastonbury Squadron.
Lieutenants Tony Hedworthy and Simon Collins of 702 Naval Air Squadron took time out from their busy schedule to visit the local Air Cadets whilst on route to RNAS Yeovilton. The Cadets were shown around the aircraft and its controls and avionics were explained. Having had recent operational flying experience, both Tony and Simon were able to give some good careers advice to several of the Cadets.
Many Royal Navy ships carry Lynx aircraft and although primarily designed to be used in the anti-submarine/shipping role they perform a vast number of tasks including deployment in anti-drug trafficking operations and support in humanitarian relief efforts.
Flight Lieutenant Crispian White, the Commanding Officer of Glastonbury and Street Squadron presented a Squadron Badge to the Aircrew and thanked them for their visit to the unit.
Flight Lieutenant Dave Rolfe of Shepton Mallet Squadron said. "The Cadets of Shepton and Glastonbury have really benefited from this visit, it was a great opportunity for them to see a front-line aircraft and talk with the crew about the Naval aspect of aviation".
Air Cadets from No 914 (Glastonbury and Street) Squadron of the Air Training Corps were congratulated by their Commanding Officer Flight Lieutenant Cris White for outstanding performance in this years Wing activities day at which the Squadron won the aircraft recognition competition.
The event took place at Fremington Camp in North Devon with Air Cadets taking part from all over Devon and Somerset. Not content with winning the aircraft recognition trophy the Squadron has also won a public speaking competition held recently at RAF Lyneham in which Cadet Sergeant Rory Cheyne gave a talk on unmanned air vehicles.
Glastonbury’s cadets will be representing the South West Region of the ATC in the national competition due to be held in November. "I am very proud of the effort that the Cadets have put into these competitions," said Flight Lieutenant White.
Strong winds, heavy rain and even hail did not deter three hundred and fifty Air Cadets from Devon and Somerset from taking part in the Wing’s annual exercise, this year named "Silver Griffin".
Exercise Griffin has been running for the last nine years and is held at Penhale Camp in North Cornwall.
Led by Flt Lt Steven Howarth, cadets and staff from the Wing with guests from Thames Valley moved to the camp en masse. Supervised by an adult Senior NCO, the Flights were established, and when the Guardroom and medical centre were staffed, the training programme swung into action.
Cadets take part in a wide variety of activities during their week at Penhale Camp. L98 and .22 rifle shooting, practical leadership tasks, swimming, military skills, rock climbing, clay pigeon shooting, communications training are to name but a few. A Land Rover pull competition also gives the Cadets a chance to flex their muscles.
Each days’ training and activities starts with a drill session held under the watchful eye of the Wing Drill team. "After a week of training together the standard becomes very high" said Wing Warrant Officer Garry Tonks.
Exercise Griffin is not like the standard Cadet Summer or Easter camp as there is more of an emphasis on activity based training. Many Cadets have their first experience on the climbing wall and archery whilst at Griffin.
Flt Lt Steve Howarth said "Griffin counts as a residential course for Cadets taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s award scheme. This year we have also been able to award Cadets their first aid Heart Stop certificate. We conduct high quality training for staff and Cadets."
Exercise Griffin was not just about training; Cadets were able to view a Sea King helicopter at close quarters when it landed at the camp bringing an aviation aspect to the week’s activities.
Despite an intensive programme, there was still time for the Cadets to have some down-time in the evenings with the camp’s NAAFI club being open and trips into the nearby seaside town of Newquay.
The camp concluded with a visit from the Lord Lieutenant of Devon, Mr Eric Dancer, accompanied by Wing Commander Brian Wills Pope, OC Devon and Somerset Wing.
The Lord Lieutenant was able to talk to many of the Cadets about their Griffin experiences and he took part in archery, clay pigeon and L98 shooting. Mr Dancer also presented Adult Flight Sergeant Matt Talby with a Regional Commandants Commendation for outstanding service within the Wing and to No 2381 (Ilminster) Squadron.
A disco was held following a presentation evening and the Penhale NAAFI was transformed into the South West’s hottest dance venue!
Air Cadets from Devon and Somerset Wing Air Training Corps have recently returned from Penhale Camp in Cornwall having taken part in exercise "Silver Griffin". Three hundred and fifty Air Cadets accompanied by their volunteer adult staff took over the camp for a week.
Silver Griffin is an activities based training exercise that gives local Air Cadets the chance to take part in target shooting, climbing, archery, practical leadership tasks, radio and military field training, to name but a few.
During their stay at Penhale, the Air Cadets were able to view a Sea King helicopter at close quarters when it landed in the nearby training area.
The Lord Lieutenant of Devon, Mr Eric Dancer, visited the Cadets who are aged thirteen and over. He was able to talk with them and hear of their experiences during the camp.
The team of adult officers, and instructors was led by Flight Lieutenant Steven Howarth who said, "We have been able to provide our Cadets with some first class training opportunities including the heart stop first aid qualification". Following an award ceremony at the camp , the Cadets enjoyed a disco held in the NAAFI.
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