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The Lord Lieutenant of Somerset, Lady Elizabeth Gass and Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Devon, Colonel Alan Hooper, hosted an Air Cadet Awareness Day held on Friday 30 March at 624 Volunteer Gliding Squadron at the Royal Marines Barracks, Chivenor, North Devon.
The event launched this year’s Adult Recruitment Campaign for Devon & Somerset Wing of the Air Training Corps who are seeking adult volunteers to staff squadrons in both counties.
Representatives of the press, together with local councillors and members of the counties youth and education services were able to experience a flight in an Air Cadet glider and see an Air Training Corps Squadron conducting training. Ground displays showing Cadet activities including first aid and aero modelling were also at hand for visitors to view.
722 Chivenor Sqn provided cadets and staff for the many displays and stands on show throughout the day.
Wing Commander Brian Wills-Pope, Commander of Devon & Somerset Air Cadets, gave a presentation on the organisation. He highlighted the need to recruit more adult volunteers in order to keep what is one of the counties largest voluntary youth organisations, diverse and challenging for its membership. At present there is a need for adult volunteers to serve as Officers, Non-commissioned Officers and Civilian Instructors throughout Devon and Somerset. No previous military experience is required.
Guests at the event were also able to see at close quarters a Tutor training aircraft when it arrived from Devon & Somerset Wing’s Flying School at Colerne on the outskirts of Bath.
Squadron Leader Dave Rolfe, the Wing Media Communications and Recruiting Officer, said "Everyone who attended had a great time. I hope they will take the message out to the wider community that the Air Cadet organisation is flourishing throughout both Devon and Somerset. By becoming an adult volunteer you can become one of a team who are helping to train the next generation of Air Cadets and gain personal skills and qualifications whilst doing so".
On Saturday the 24th of March 1032 Yeovil Squadron air training corps was invited to a day trip to the Royal Armoured Corp training centre Lulworth where Cadets where given an insight into the roles of the yeomanry, which is a Territorial Army unit and also the role of the armoured corp in general.
The cadets had a chance to look over challenger 2 tanks, as well as armoured warrior and armoured cognisant vehicles and then witnessed live firing on the bovington tanks test track. There they watched tanks move into combat positions and try to get tactical firing ranges on each other.
The morning consisted of gunnery training at Lulworth, finding out how the army use the tanks and vehicles the government pay for as well as have a go on computer generated simulators. Captain Peglar hosted the event and the Cadets that took part were Corporal Steve Tatler, Corporal Tom Jones, Corporal Ben Hann, Sergeant Carl Collins and Flight Sergeant Hutchings and were accompanied by Adult Warrant Officer Lancaster.
More photos in the Archives section, here
CWO Gemma Portsmouth has received the NSRA Marksman Badge for Shooting.
We believe she is only one of six ATC cadets throughout the UK to receive this badge and as far as we know the only one in the South West Region.
Gemma has been with the Squadron for 3 ½ years and in the last couple has been very keen to improve her shooting.
She is part of the 1013 Sqn shooting Team although will have to finish in May this year retirement from old age.
Gemma was presented with her badge at the 1013 Sqn Dining In night in by Wing Commander B Wills-Pope M.B.E.
Over 70 cadets, staff and guests gathered at the Lordleaze Hotel, Chard recently for 2381 (Ilminster) Squadron Air Training Corp’s annual dinner and presentation night.
The evening was run along the lines of a formal armed forces mess dinner, guests of honour were Carol Goodall, Mayor of Ilminster and Group Captain Bob Travers RAF, Chairman of Devon & Somerset Wing Air Trainining Corps. Numerous awards were presented for passing exams, First aid training, Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme badges and other awards and promotions.
An enjoyable evening was had by all. A raffle raised £100 towards Squadron funds and evening was ended with a disco.
1013 Sqn Shooting team were proud to be presented with the Chichester Trophy The first Somerset sqn we beleive to win it.
Pictured are the Shooting team and the then CO Sqn Ldr Ayre Flt Lt Spicer the present CO says that the squadron shooting has come on in leaps and bounds over the last 12 months.
Well done to all the team, lets hope we can win it this year as well.
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