Ross Cadets Benefit from RAF Charitable Trust

1002 (Ross-on-Wye) Squadron have recently benefitted from a donation by the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust. The money will be used to subsidise cadets participating in the Squadron's annual adventure training camp in Wales, the Dragon Bash. Speaking on behalf of the Squadron, Flight Lieutenant David Stones said "Each year the squadron's civilian committee help by subsidising the cost of these camps and therefore make it possible for all cadets to be able to attend for a very modest charge. The aim of the camps is to build confidence, leadership skills, team working and knowledge, as well as giving the cadets the opportunity to try something they may never have done before in areas of outstanding natural beauty.  With each passing year I have tried to increase the scope of this experience and for Easter 2010 I decided to look at including high ropes and gorge walking. Both of these activities are outside the experience of the current staff and also need specialist equipment and personnel with local knowledge. I contacted a company in Snowdonia who are able to facilitate these but the cost would have proved too high.  I therefore applied to the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust who made this very generous donation of £864.  With this money we will be able to go ahead with this additional training, and I am sure, give the cadets an experience they will never forget"

Flight Lieutenant Stones presents the cheque from the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust to the Squadron's Treasurer, Mr Trevor Wilkes.

Aircraft Recognition

West Mercian Wing's annual aircraft recognition competition was held at 2497 (Cosford) Squadron on Sunday, 13th September. Cadets from 151 (Leominster), 1119 (Shrewsbury) and 2497 (Cosford) Squadrons competed at the advanced level for the honour of representing the Wing at the forthcoming Regional Field Training Day.

The competition consisted of thirty aircraft slides shown in quick succession with a further five being marked in the event of a tie. The winner of the individual competion was Cpl Reoch of 2497 (Cosford) Squadron with Cadet Willaimson of 1119 (Shrewsbury) Squadron and Sgt Washbrook of 151 (Leominster) Squadron tied in second.

The winners of the Inter-Squadron competition were 2497 (Cosford) Squadron with 1119 (Shrewsbury) Squadron as runners-up and 151 (Leominster) Squadron in third.

1119 Squadron will represent the Wing in the over-16 competion at Regional Field Training Day and 2497 Squadron will do so in the under-16 competition.

Inter-Squadron Aircraft Recognition Competition

West Mercian Wing Masterchef

On Sunday, 16th August, four of West Mercian Wing’s squadrons gathered at Stourbridge TA Centre for the inaugural West Midlands Inter-Squadron Cooking Competition. The four teams, each consisting of two cadets, were issued with a Menu D individual 24-hour ration pack comprising of boil in the bag sausage and beans, pork casserole and syrup sponge pudding as well as chicken and mushroom paste, cream of chicken soup, oatmeal block, biscuits brown, biscuits fruit, instant white tea, coffee, beverage whitener, vegetable stock, sugar, hot chocolate flavour drink, lemon powder, fruit flavour sweets and two chocolate bars. Each team was also allowed to spend up to £2 on extra ingredients to supplement the ration pack.
Using the ration packs, their additional ingredients, two camping stoves and any equipment they brought from home the teams were tasked with preparing a two course meal that could consist of either a starter and main course or main course and sweet. The teams were given thirty-minutes preparation time followed by an hours cooking time.

The competition was judged by Officer Commanding West Mercian Wing, Wing Commander Peppe D’Anna, Deputy Officer Commanding West Mercian Wing, Squadron Leader Paul Haygarth and Wing Staff Officer, Squadron Leader Mark Collins. The judges assessed the teams on their organisation, preparation, cleanliness, number of ration pack ingredients used, presentation of the meal and its taste.

223 (Halesowen) Squadron’s team consisting of Cadet Sergeant Spittle and Cadet Lacey prepared pork and mashed potato with chicken sauce and sausages followed by chocolate cornflake cakes.

Cadet Sergeant Willets and Cadet Bates representing 347 (Dudley) Squadron served a Chinese chicken and noodle soup starts followed by a pork casserole with peppers, apples and spaghetti.

Representing 451 (Stourbridge) Squadron Cadet Flight Sergeant Burley and Cadet Corporal Bayliss served field pie with broccoli and new potatoes followed by chocolate surprise.

For 2488 (Kingswinford) Squadron Cadet Corporal Lovell and Cadet Amos prepared sausage and beans with a tex-mex mash followed by deep filled syrup sponge on a crunch biscuit base.

The standard of food throughout the competition was exceptionally high very little to separate the teams. The winners of the competition were judged to be 451 (Stourbridge) Squadron with 283 points out of a maximum 300, followed by 223 (Halesowen) Squadron with 276 points, 347 (Dudley) Squadron with 268 points and 2488 (Kingswinford) Squadron with 254 points.

The competition was organised by Officer Commanding 451 (Stourbridge) Squadron, Flight Lieutenant Andy Alloway, who along with the his wife Belinda presented the trophy for the competition.

Wing Training Day

Cadets from all over West Mercian Wing descended on DCAE Cosford on Sunday, 7th June for Wing Training Day to participate in the Drill, Banner Drill, Continuity Drill, Smartest Cadet and Smartest Squadron competitions.  The Wing Aero-modelling and photography competitions were also judged.

Due to inclement weather conditions the competitions were held indoors with the station gymnasium being utilised for the Drill, Continuity Drill and Banner Drill Competitions.

The results of the competitions held on the day are as follows:

First Aid
1st – 223 (Halesowen) Sqn
2nd – 347 (Dudley) Sqn
3rd – 83 (St Georges) Sqn

Smartest Cadet
1st – Cdt Julien (347 Sqn)
2nd – Cdt Joseph (1002 Sqn)
3rd – Cdt Howard (216 Sqn)

Smartest Squadron
1st – 2516 (Droitwich) Sqn
2nd – 216 (Redditch) Sqn
3rd – 2497 (Cosford) Sqn

Continuity Drill
1st – 63 (Bridgnorth) Sqn
2nd – 2516 (Droitwich) Sqn
3rd – 79 (Whitchurch) Sqn

Banner Drill
1st – 347 (Dudley) Sqn
2nd – 233 (Pershore) Sqn
3rd – 1130 (Telford & Wrekin) Sqn

The winning teams from Wing Training Day will represent West Mercian Wing at the Regional Field Training Day in September.

More photographs are available in our online photo album, click here to view it.

Wing NCO Course

Thirty-four cadets from squadrons across West Mercian Wing spent a weekend at Nesscliff Training Camp in Shropshire developing the qualities that will equip them to be effective cadet junior non-commissioned officers (JNCOs).

The course runs from Friday to Sunday and consists of two phases. The Instructional Phase on the Saturday delivers training on the Roles and Responsibilities of a JNCO, Drill Instruction, Functional Leadership, Effective Communication and Techniques of Instruction. The course is also split into syndicates of four or five cadets and each syndicate allocated a topic relevant to current Corps policy on which they are required to prepare a 20 minute presentation for delivery during the assessments on Sunday.

On Sunday the cadets split in to their syndicates for the assessment phase of the course where they are assessed on their command and control of a drill squad, their leadership skills and their presentation skills.

Assuming that the candidates have passed all of the elements of the course they should depart with the knowledge and confidence to become effective NCOs on their squadrons. Should a cadet fail any part of the course they are invited back to undergo re-assessment on the next available course. This course saw a one hundred percent pass rate.

The course photograph is available for download by clicking on the image below, it is a large file (5MB) and will open in a new window so please ensure that pop-ups are enabled for this site. More photographs from the course are featured in our Photo Gallery.

Pershore are Region Runners-Up

233 (Pershore) Squadron have finished joint second in the Region for the Lees Trophy, a national competition to find the best ATC squadron in the Corps. Having been selected from twenty-six squadrons to represent West Mercian Wing, Pershore Squadron joined six other squadrons from Wales and West Region in the semi-final stage to be inspected by the Regional Commandant of Wales and West Region, Group Captain Allen and the Assistant Regional Commandant, Squadron Leader Dzuiba.

The evening commenced with an inspection of the cadets' drill and uniforms followed by a band accompanied march past and continuity drill display (a sequence of drill movements conducted without words of command.) Group Captain Allen then witnessed a sample from the Squadron's training syllabus including lessons on aviation theory, aircraft modeling, fieldcraft theory and practical, the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme, the Squadron's flight simulator and a demonstration of sign language, which the cadets are currently learning.

Flight Lieutenant Andy Smith, Officer Commanding 233 (Pershore) Squadron said "The cadets have prepared long and hard for this evening and have done themselves, their squadron and their wing proud."

Wing Adventure Training Competition

On Friday, 3rd April, cadets and staff from three West Mercian Wing squadrons gathered at Torgate Farm near Buxton in the Peak District for the Wing Adventure Training Competition. On arrival the cadets from 151 (Leominster), 216 (Redditch) and 1130 (Telford and Wrekin) Squadrons pitched their tents and received their brief on the weekends competition before bedding down in anticipation of an early start and a long day on Saturday.

On Saturday morning the cadets awoke to the sound of rain on their tents. By seven o’clock the rain had stopped and the cadets set about preparing their breakfast and breaking camp in anticipation of the start of the assessed phase of the competition, which would last until they completed the walking route on Sunday afternoon.

The first phase of the assessment was a thorough kit check to ensure that the individual and group equipment was complete and in good order, the teams also had the opportunity to gain bonus points for presenting the judges with any other equipment that they felt was relevant.

Kit check complete the teams were bussed to the start of the first days 22 Km walk at Manor Farm and were set of 15-minute intervals with a team manager from one of the other teams shadowing them and assessing their navigation, accuracy against their route card, leadership and group dynamic.

As the teams arrived back at the campsite late on Saturday afternoon they were further assessed on their camp-craft including the efficiency with which they pitched their tents and organised their evening meals.

With all of the teams safely back in camp the assessors began compiling the results for the first day’s competition.

On Sunday morning the teams awoke to a frost and were assessed on their efficiency in making breakfast and breaking camp including a thorough litter sweep of the campsite. As the sun rose and frost melted the teams left the campsite at staggered intervals, once again shadowed by a team manager from another team, for Sunday’s walking assessment.

As the last team arrived at the finish point they were bussed back to the campsite for the a debrief and the announcement of the competition results, which were as follows: 3rd place – 1130 (Telford & Wrekin) Sqn; 2nd Place – 151 (Leominster) Sqn; 1st place – 216 (Redditch) Sqn.

The winning team from Redditch will represent the Wing at the Regional Adventure Training Competition to be held in Snowdonia on the weekend of the 1st to 3rd May. Despite 216 (Redditch) Sqn retaining the trophy, this year’s competition was closer than in previous years with only one point separating the 2nd and 3rd placed teams

Pershore Cadets Receive Awards from Gulf POW

Air Cadets from 233 (Pershore) Squadron, Air Training Corps, attended the squadron annual awards night at Pershore Working Men’s Club. The cadets were awarded with different awards that they had worked towards during the past twelve months.

Special guest of honour for the awards night was Squadron Leader John Peters MBA BSc (Hons) MRAeS RAF Rtd who came to the world’s attention in 1991 when his bruised and battered face was flashed onto television screens around the world. On the first day of the Gulf War, a British Tornado Bomber crewed by John Peters and John Nichol was shot down over Iraq territory and the two men were captured. After four days of mental and physical torture, they were forcibly shown on Iraq television. It was John Peters disfigured image that became who we know today, their story was later told in the best selling book Tornado Down.

The cadets were presented with a variety of awards by John Peters. Seven new cadets were also enrolled into the Air Training Corps by the Squadron Padre Ron Hesketh. This is where cadets make a promise to the Corps. The Awards included first class, Leading, senior classification badges and staff cadet lanyards, Bronze Duke of Edinburgh awards and other certificates. These were presented by our Guest of honor John Peters. The main awards presented were The Marksman Trophy to Cadet Stoyan Kostadinov, The Adventure Training Trophy to Cadet Corporal Alex Wilkes, Best New Cadet Trophy to Cadet Ian Hastead, and The Charles Knott Trophy for BTEC to Cadet Corporal Charlie England, and The Adastral Trophy to Cadet Corporal Adam Stockford. Best All Round Cadet Award to Cadet Ben Ricketts. All of these awards were presented by John Peters. He also gave the award winners a signed copy of his best-selling book ‘Tornado Down’. The evening was attended by cadet’s parents, family and friends, members of The Royal British Legion and The Royal British Legion Women’s Section. Also in attendance were Squadron Leader Neville Billingham and Squadron Leader Bill Hoe, Wing Staff Officers from West Mercain Wing.

Flight Lieutenant Andrew Smith Commanding Officer of 233 (Pershore) Squadron said, ‘the cadet’s achievements are fantastic. It was great honour to have John Peters to present our awards. He was a great inspiration to all of them’.

West Mercian Wing Welcomes New Wing Commander

In January 2009 Wing Commander GWS D'Anna B.Sc(Hons) M.Sc C.Sci MRSC C Chem RAFVR(T) assumed command of West Mercian Wing Air Training Corps following the retirement of his predecessor, Wing Commander Malcolm Lloyd RAFVR(T).

Wing Commander Peppe D’Anna joined the Air Training Corps in 1967 as a cadet at 187 (Worcester) Squadron until his 18th birthday in 1971.

In November 1992 he became a civilian instructor with 2078 (Boscobel) Squadron, being promoted to the rank of Adult Warrant officer in July 1993, commissioning into the RAFVR(T) as a Pilot Officer in March 1994. Becoming OIC 2078 (Boscobel) Squadron in May of 1994 and promoted to OC and Flight Lieutenant in October 1994.

In May 1995 Flt Lt D’Anna started running the then Basic Expedition Training Award (now BELA award) to train staff to nationally recognised standards in expedition and party management, was running Wing Duke of Edinburgh expeditions and assessments at all levels. In 1997 he became a supernumerary Glider Instructor on 633 VGS at RAF Cosford.

His Squadron were both Wing winners and Regional representative in the Lees Trophy in 1998 and again were chosen to be Wing representatives for the Lees trophy in 1999 in the same year the Squadron band was placed 3rd in the Corps Competition.

In January 2000 Flt Lt D’Anna was appointed as a Wing Staff officer designated Wing Sports Officer and deputy Adventure Training Officer (now WATTO) and WGLO and continuing to run the BELA award. In 2001 he was appointed Wing Adventure Training Officer, (now WATTO), and WGLO.

Promoted to Squadron Leader in October 2002, he relinquished the appointment of WGLO and concentrated on Adventure Training. 2002 saw Sqn. Ldr. D’Anna introduce the BELA award to neighbouring Wings in the Region who had no qualified staff. January 2003 saw him take responsibility again for Wing D of E expeditions at all levels with the aim of making the award more effective and accessible to Squadrons throughout the Wing.

In 2002 he was awarded the Queens Golden Jubilee medal and was nominated by Region and attended a Queens Garden Party.

In June 2005 he took over the post of Sports Officer and he also took over as OIC of 2132 (Sedgley) Squadron, handing it over to the current OC in 2006 as a viable and vibrant Squadron, then taking on 1871 (Rugeley) Squadron as OIC after 8 months handed a viable squadron to the current OC.

In September 2006 Squadron Leader D’Anna was awarded a Certificate of Meritorious Service for his work and influence on AT policy both for Wing and Inter Region.

Squadron leader D’Anna ended his engagement with Staffordshire Wing overseeing the sports as well as the MCO post and temporarily looking after a Wing Staff area in the south of the Wing

During his adult service he has attended instructional courses for Navigation, Principals of Flight and C Cat gliding Instructor. Additionally has attended 11 UK Easter and summer camps of which 8 were as camp commandant and 9 Staffordshire Wing Easter Adventure training camps at MOD Training Camp Swynerton.