News 2006

Gail joins 63 Squadron

63 (Bridgnorth) Squadron and West Mercian Wing Air Training Corps have recently welcomed a new member to the staff team.

Mrs Gail Thompson has joined the staff as a Civilian Instructor and after some initial training will be fully involved with the running of the Squadron and instructing the cadets.

Flight Lieutenant Andy Griffin the Squadron Commander commented: “The staff team is a vital part of the Squadron, without their hard work and dedication the cadets would not have the opportunities that are on offer to them. It is a pleasure to welcome Gail to the team.”

Shrewsbury cadets earn Young Life Saver Plus

12 cadets from No. 1119 (Shrewsbury) Squadron successfully completed their Young life saver plus awards. They are the first cadets from the squadron to achieve the award in First aid.

Young Lifesaver plus is administered by the St Johns Ambulance but operated from within the Air Training Corps, by Qualified instructors and assessors. Although the award has been available to the Army Cadets for some time it has only been introduced to the Air Training Corp last year.

The course took 16 hours to complete and was followed by a test of knowledge and skill by the Wing First Aid Officer Flt Lt Paul Maitland and his team, who travelled across from Dudley to do the assessment.

Flt Lt Maitland said “This is an important skill to learn, but is unique in that we hope the candidates never have to use it.”

The Successful Cadets are Tom Longdon, Mohammed Osman, Craig Bellis, Kellie Darlington, David Pilkington, Stephanie Pilkington, Sophie Humphreys, Stephanie Jones, Tori Pearson, Matthew Jones, Philip Rathbone and Rebecca Weston. Certificates and Badges have been awarded this week

Bronze hat-trick

Pictured from left to right is all of whom are Three cadets of 1002 (Ross-on-Wye) Squadron, Air Training Corp and pupils at John Kyrle High School have just passed their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh award scheme after following a program of skill, Service, physical training and expedition work lasting a total of 9 months. The three cadets, Michael Stones, Jacob Layton and Josh Bowen, are now ready and keen to start the silver award level which they can once they reach 15 years of age later this year. The Squadron takes a very active role in the D of E award scheme and has a take up of 75% of all cadets who are over the age of 14.

451 Squadron Celebrates Success

Cadets from 451 (Stourbridge) Squadron have been congratulated on their outstanding achievements from 2006.

The Squadron Presentation Evening took place on Saturday 24th February 2007 and was attended by over 150 people, consisting of cadets, proud parents and Wing Staff Officers from the West Mercian Wing Air Cadets.

Squadron Media and Communications Officer, Pilot Officer Clare Fairbrother stated, “This evening had been planned for months. We had that many awards to present, we had to time everything down to the minute. I am very proud to be part of an organisation that recognises the achievements in its members in such a way. It was a great turnout”.

The ceremony started with a presentation set to music showing the parents and guests some of the main highlights from 2006 – the Remembrance Parade, Nijmegen Marches, and the Tesco Great Midland Walk, to name but a few. The main part of the evening however was dedicated to honouring those cadets that had completed the Duke of Edinburgh Award, of which there were 46 in total, and the Millennium Volunteers Award, a scheme for young people where they give up their free time to help in their local communities.

Just over 4900 hours have been completed by the Squadron for the Millennium Volunteers Award last year, certificates for which were given for completing 100, 200, 500 and 1000 hours - the latter being an achievement in itself as it is the first one to be awarded in the Wales and West Region Air Training Corps.

Cadet Warrant Officer Matthew Schadler, holder of the 1000 hour certificate stated, “I take great pride in helping at 451 Squadron and 6th Bromsgrove (Catshill) scout troop. I enjoy working with people from all walks of life and I’m overwhelmed with joy at completing 1000 hours in under a year. Being the only cadet in the Region to complete the 1000 hours means I have set the bar for the new volunteer program taking over”.

Other MV certificates went to Cadet Corporal Michael Burley, Cadet Sergeant Phillip Schadler, Cadet Warrant Officer Christopher Broughton, Cadet Sergeant Richard Smith and Cadet Flight Sergeant Lucy Morton.

Officer Commanding of 451 Squadron, Flight Lieutenant Andrew Alloway stated, “Once again an Air Training Corps squadron leads the way for not only the Wing but the Wales and West Region, an outstanding evening all round with some very prestigious awards”.

Pershore Cadets Continue Tradition

Cadets from 233 (Pershore) Squadron continued a tradition that dates back to December 1940 recently when they paraded at Pershore Cemetery The parade was organised by the Squadron and was attended by cadets from 233 Squadron ATC, Evesham Sea Cadet Corps, Pershore St. John’s Ambulance, members of the local branch of the Royal British Legion, Royal British Legion Women’s Section, Royal Navy Association and local dignitaries. The cadets laid poppy crosses on each of the 74 war graves in the cemetery in a service that echoed the original parade held on Christmas Morning 1940 during which members of the Pershore Youth Fellowship in Worcestershire laid wreaths on the graves.

Regional Commandant Makes First Visit To West Mercian Wing.

The new Regional Commandant Group Captain Dick Allen FRAeS RAFR made his first official visit to West Mercian Wing when he made the presentations at 63 (Bridgnorth) Squadron’s Presentation Night on 12th December.

In the presence of Wing Commander Lloyd (Officer Commanding West Mercian Wing), Councillor Ed Shirley (Deputy Chair of Bridgnorth District Council and Hon President of 63 Squadron), the cadets, staff, committee and many parents Group Captain Allen presented, BCU 1* Kayaking awards, Certificates of Training, a Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, 100 hour Millennium Volunteers Certificates and BTEC in Public Services Diplomas.

A surprise award came when Cadet Sergeant Adam Tonks was promoted to Flight Sergeant and received his new stripes from the Regional Commandant.

Flight Lieutenant Andy Griffin (Officer Commanding) 63 Squadron was presented with a clasp to his Cadet Forces Medal, representing 18 years of continuous uniformed service.

The highlight of the night was the presentation of a well deserved Commandants Certificate of Meritorious Service to Civilian Instructor Jean Onions, this award was met with loud cheers from the cadets a testimony to Mrs Onions’ popularity on the Squadron.

The Regional Commandant congratulated all the recipients and also the Squadron in general for a superb evening.

Flight Lieutenant Griffin commented: “It was an honour to be the first Squadron in the Wing to be visited by the Group Captain, the cadets and staff have worked very hard over the past 12 months making 2006 one of the most successful in the Squadron’s 26 year history and this visit has rounded it off in style.

The range of awards presented tonight highlight the various activities that the cadets have on offer, I encourage any young person to come along to see what they could gain from being a member of the Squadron."

John gains Corps Marksman

2006 has got to be a year Sergeant John Gwinnett, a cadets with 1002 (Ross-on-Wye) Sqn, Air Training Corps will always remember.  John has gained his Gold Duke of Edinburgh award, making him along with two others in the squadron the first male cadets to achieve this.  While earlier this summer he was flying over the beaches of Southport as part of the Air Training Corps pilot training scheme to gain his wings.  Now as we come to the last few weeks of the year John has pulled off another first in the squadron by gaining his Corps marksman award.  Using an L98 rifle John had to fire 10 rounds achieving a grouping, 10 round fired rapidly (35 seconds) into the inner  2.5” centre ring of a second target, 10 rounds snap, where the target can only be fired at for 8 second exposures (2 rounds per exposure) and then finally a further 10 rounds into the centre 1” ring on a fourth target.  This took place at one of the squadrons regular shoots held at RAF Innsworths’ 25 m outdoor range.

Pictured is John with one of the squadron Martini Mk2 rifles with which he regularly practices.

1119 Retains Air Britain Title

4 Shrewsbury Air cadets entered the 'Air Britain International' Aircraft recognition event at RAF Hendon on Saturday 25th November.

Cpl James Humphreys, Cpl William Westwood, Cdt Sam Williamson and Cdt Ian Lacey competed in the event that saw them compete against the team that took the inter Wing title from them at Regional Training Day. With only runners up and winners announced, 2nd place was indeed taken by the No1 Welsh regional team, and winners of the Military cadet section along with the C130 trophy were 1119(Shrewsbury) Squadron.

It is the 4th year running that the team have held the national title.

Shrewsbury Shooters make it to the second stage

1119 (Shrewsbury) Squadron entered two teams in this years Battle of Britain small bore competition Shoot. The standard of shooting was raised in that the teams were required to submit scores of over 360 out of 400 to reach the second round. Only 11 teams have reached this standard with 'Shrewsbury A' taking sixth slot. The second round scores will be added to the first round scores to see who wins the overall title. The second round will be completed in January.

West Mercian Wing's BTEC Success

Forty-six Air Cadets, past and present, from West Mercian Wing Air Training Corps received their BTEC First Diploma in Public Services certificates at a presentation evening held at Worcester TA Centre on Saturday, 18th November.  The cadets from seventeen of the Wing’s twenty-six squadrons received their certificates from the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire Mr. Ray Seal.

The BTEC First Diploma in Public Services, which is a level two qualification in the National Qualifications Framework and therefore equates to four GCSEs at grades A* to C, is achieved by committing to the Air Training Corps and participating fully in its activities.  The majority of the activities that cadets participate in can be counted towards the BTEC, including but not limited to gliding, adventure training, camps, NCO courses and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.  In addition cadets are required to attend an Integrated Vocational Assignment (IVA) weekend during which they research the armed forces and simulate an application to one of their choosing.

West Mercian Wing cadets have gained more awards than any of the other thirty five wings in the Air Training Corps.

Officer Commanding West Mercian Wing, Wing Commander Malcolm Lloyd said “I am delighted with the number of awards presented this evening and the total number gained by the Wing; it is truly a remarkable effort by the award recipients and the Wing’s BTEC team led by Flight Lieutenant Paul Maitland.  The number of awards that West Mercian Wing has achieved clearly sets the standard for other wings to follow.”

Shrewsbury receive BT grant

BT community champions award scheme has awarded £450 to 1119 (Shrewsbury) Squadron Air Training Corps thanks to the voluntary work of Graham Barre a BT employee. Run by BT’s charity programme, BT Community Champions awards BT people with funding on behalf of local community groups, charities and organisations where they work on a voluntary basis.

Following the third review in 2006-07, funding has been allocated to a variety of groups who demonstrated how the award would make a difference to their group and benefit their local community. Shrewsbury Air cadets are one of hundreds that applied for an award and impressed the judges with how they would use their grant.

The group Plans to use its £450 to Purchase a portable radio network to assist in their Marshalling work for various charitable events they support, including Shrewsbury Carnival. By updating their existing equipment the hope to provide better coverage and improve the quality of their support.

Graham Barre, a Dial IP resource Manager for BT Wholesale who applied for the award on behalf of the group added: I have been involved with the squadron for 30 years and have been the Squadron Commander for the last two years. Funding is always a major issue with youth organisations. The BT Community Champions award scheme provides a great opportunity for organisations like ours – every contribution makes a difference. It is very positive that BT recognises the voluntary work of its people and supports the charity sector in this way.

Surprise donation for Ross cadets

It came as a complete surprise to the Commanding Officer of 1002 (Ross-on-Wye) Sqn, ATC when Mrs Ruth Nelson arrived at the headquarters to hand over a £150 donation to the squadron.  Mrs Nelson, who recently undertook the Cardiff Half Marathon decided that it would be a nice gesture to present the squadron with part of the monies which she had raised.

Catherine was asked by the commanding officer of the squadron, Flt Lt Carol Marsh to accept the gift, from her mother, on behalf of the unit.  Carol Marsh said that “fund raising was always a difficult task and to have a parent go out of their way to make such a generous donation was unprecedented and the cadets and staff were most appreciative”.

Shrewsbury cadets attend music camp

Ten cadets from 1119 (Shrewsbury) Squadron attended the tri-service Band Camp at Longmoor during half term week. Four cadets took part in the Grade 3 cadre with the remaining six attending the Grade 2 Cadre. After the weeks activities including shooting flying and a confidence course as well as tuition in music, a ceremony took place to recognise the best instrumentalist in each class.

In the Grade 2 Cadre, three of the four winners belonged to the ATC with 1119 Sqn taking two of them: Best Flutist going to Cadet S Bowyer and Best Bugler going to Cdt C Fraser-Shaw. 2nd Leiutenant Steve Jones who is also the Squadron Civilian Instructor Bandmaster said " All the cadets were a credit to the squadron and the ATC and have made excellent progress in their music skills."

Commandant visits No. 1 (Overseas) Squadron

Air Commodore Gordon Moulds, MBE RAF, Commandant of the Air Cadet Organisation has recently visited the cadets of No1 (Overseas) Squadron ATC at RAF Akrotiri. The Commandant has only been in post for a short time and his visit to No 1 (Overseas) Squadron is his first to an overseas squadron. While in Cyprus the Commandant also attend the overseas concert performed by the Air Cadet National Concert Band.

Flight Lieutenant Geoff Pitts, Officer Commanding No 1 (Overseas) Sqn, invited the Commandant to inspect the cadets and to make a number of presentations. Cadet Corprals Darling and Dey received their Gliding Certificates and a Cadet Cassily was presented with his Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Certificate and Badge.  The Commandant was impressed that many of the Squadron's cadets were participating in the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and BTEC Schemes.

Air Commodore Moulds was then introduced to the squadron's staff members and took the opportunity of addressing them in the squadron’s cinema. He said how impressed he was with the squadron and the staff. He outlined his general ideas on how the Corps would progress in the future but expressed disappointment that none of the staff or cadets supported his football team, Glasgow Rangers.

The Commandant then took the opportunity to address the cadets and receive questions from them.  He praised the cadets for their turnout and the progress they were making.

Tesco Great Midland Walk

A group of West Mercian Wing Air Cadets have been praised for their efforts from organisers of the first ‘Tesco Great Midland Walk’, which took place on Sunday 29th October.

The Clent Hills, which lie in the centre of the West Mercian Wing of the Air Training Corps, provided a magnificent setting for the walk where forty-eight cadets, staff, and members of the Civilian Committee from 451 (Stourbridge) Squadron gave their support and provided encouragement to participants during the event.

The Squadron supplied marshals for the main 7 mile route, the 1½ mile wheelchair and child friendly route, and helping hands for the finish point, giving all walkers a well deserved medal, bottle of water and a goody bag.

Liaison between the squadron and the event organisers came from Flying Officer Vicky Seabridge, who stated, “It’s a good opportunity for the cadets to use their leadership and communication skills they have developed on the squadron in a big community event such as this, for an extremely good cause”.

As the last of the participants went through the first marshalling point, Cadet Warrant Officer Chris Broughton (18) marched onwards and upwards as the last man collecting marshals en-route, and finally leading them to the finish point where a rapturous reception awaited them - they had by then completed the seven mile walk themselves!

The event attracted approximately 1000 walkers on the day, ranging from all ages and abilities, all raising money for the British Heart Foundation, aiding essential life-saving heart research.

All that took part had an enjoyable day.

Only Fools and Cadets

1246 (Ewyas Harold) Squadron may have thought they were parking cars in Peckham recently, when John Challis aka Boycie from Only Fools and Horses and The Green Green Grass arrived at a local event with his real life marlene. Mr Challis stopped and chatted to the cadets for some time and wished them luck for the inter sqn swimming - in which the sqn  came a credible third place.

West Mercian Wing retained the Regional Training Trophy to make it three wins in the last three years at the Regional Field Training Day on Sunday 24th September 2006. The Wing won the drill, banner, overall band and aircraft modelling competitions, were runners up in the aircraft recognition and shooting competitions and were placed third in the first aid competition. The Wing teams scored an impressive 38 out of a possible 42 points.

2516 (Droitwich) Sqn on the drill square

The Wing was represented by 2516 (Droitwich) Sqn in the drill competition, 1130 (Telford and Wrekin) Sqn in the banner competition, 2497 (Cosford) Sqn in the band competition, 151 (Leominster) Sqn and 24 (Market Drayton) Sqn in the aircraft modelling competition, 1165 (Oswestry) Sqn in the first aid competition, 1119 (Shrewsbury) Sqn in the shooting and aircraft recognition competitions with the individual entrant coming from 223 (Halesowen) Sqn.

1130 (Telford & Wrekin) Sqn compete in the banner competition

Sqn Ldr Haygarth, Wing Training Officer said “This is a magnificent achievement with the wing being truly represented by eight squadrons. We scored an impressive 38 points from a possible 42. Winning the trophy for a third consecutive year is a record that will take some beating and another first for our wing. All those taking part in the events and those staff who had put so much work into achieving these top form results are to be congratulated. A wonderful team effort”

2497 (Cosford) Sqn, winners of the overall band competition

"I could not have asked for a better team who on the day excelled. Gaining 38 out of a possible 42 points was a mind boggling score.  We are truly the undisputed Regional Ground Training champions; the envy of the whole Region having defended our position not once but twice and increased our lead each time. A magnificent effort by every one involved in making this possible.", said Wing Commander Lloyd, Officer Commanding West Mercian Wing.

CWO Meg Wld receives the Regional Ground Training Trophy from Group Captain Allen, Commandant Wales and West Region.

Wing Says Farewell

West Mercian Wing said farewell to Group Captain Pat Kiggell OBE and Squadron Leader Jim Gilchrist at its Wing Ball held in the Acorn Suite, DCAE Cosford on Saturday, 9th September 2006. Group Captain Kiggell and Squadron Leader Gilchrist retired as Commandant Wales and West Region and Wing Admin Officer respectively in June and were presented with gifts from the Wing in appreciation of their service to the Corps and West Mercian Wing.

Group Captain Kiggell joined the ATC in 1996 as Commandant Wales Region, one of his first duties being to manage the Region's merger with three English Wings, West Mercian, Staffordshire and Merseyside, following the restructuring of the Corps, which led to the inception of Wales and West Region. From its uncertain beginnings, Group Captain Kiggell led Wales and West Region to being the best Region in the Corps with an unparalleled level of success including winning the Lees Trophy for the Best Squadron in the Corps on six occasions, winning the Dacre Brooch and/or Sword for the best female and male cadets in the Corps seven times, The Sir Roger Austin Sword four times, the Sir Douglas Bader Trophy twice and the Punch Trophy for shooting every year since the Region formed.

After a career as an Air Traffic Controller in the RAF, Sqn Ldr Gilchrist joined West Mercian Wing as Wing Admin Officer in January 2001. Among many other notable achievements, Sqn Ldr Gilchrist was influential in gaining permanent Squadron Headquarters for two of the Wing's squadrons.

Introducing West Mercian Wing's New Ad O

West Mercian Wing welcomes Sqn Ldr B S Pulling RAFR as its new Wing Admin Officer.

Squadron Leader Bax Pulling joined the Royal Air Force in 1985 as a Data Analyst.  Following a successful tour at RAF Stafford and a brief spell serving with AFCENT in Germany, Squadron Leader Pulling was selected for commissioning as an Air Traffic Controller.  Commissioned in 1989, Squadron Leader Pulling was posted to RAF Chivenor on successful completion of the Joint Air Traffic Control Course.  In 1992 he returned to RAF Shawbury to complete the Area Radar Training Course prior to being posted to RAF West Drayton to support the military Air Traffic Management (ATM) systems employed at the London Air Traffic Control Centre.  In 1996 Squadron Leader Pulling once again returned to RAF Shawbury to complete the Area Radar Refresher Course prior to being posted to LATCC(Mil) on controlling duties.  Promoted to squadron leader in 1999, Squadron Leader Pulling was posted to Headquarters MATO as the systems specialist responsible for developing the military ATM systems employed at Swanwick(Mil).  Having seen Swanwick(Mil) enter operational service in 2002, Squadron Leader Pulling took up his final appointment in the Service as Officer Commanding Computer Systems Squadron at RAF Shawbury in January 2003.  Squadron Leader Pulling retired from the Royal Air Force in July 2006 and was appointed as Wing Administrative Officer in the Air Training Corps’ West Mercian Wing Headquarters on 5 September 2006.

Squadron Leader Pulling is married to Tracy and they have 2 young boys: Scott and Alex.  His interests include motor sport, DIY, travelling and all things to do with computers!

Americans join cadets on camp-Aug 2006

Cadets from West Mercian Wing Air Training Corps were joined on their summer camp by six cadets from the United States Air Force Junior Reserve Officer's Training Corps (JROTC). 

The cadets participated in the full camp programme while at RAF Marham, Norfolk, enjoying flights in a Grob Tutor, supervised live range practice on the No. 8 rifle and participating in a ATC drill competition.

The JROTC cadets, who attend Lakenheath High School , are siblings of USAF personnel and contractors based at RAF Lakenheath and elect to take the JROTC programme as part of the school curriculum.

The camp culminated in a visit to RAF Lakenheath, Suffolk arranged by the escorting officer from the JROTC, Lieutenant Colonel James Nelson USAF (Ret'd) who is the Chief Aerospace Instructor at Lakenheath High School. 

ATC Cadets visited the base armoury to see the array of weapons in service, explored the Military Dog Section at RAF Feltwell (a satellite of Lakenheath) and concluded with a tour of the High School conducted by the JROTC cadets.

Flight Lieutenant Mark Collins, ATC Camp Commandant said: "Having Air Force JROTC cadets on camp with us was a unique experience for cadets and staff alike.  The whole camp integrated really well and both British and American cadets thoroughly enjoyed the week."

Young Lifesaver Plus

Staff from 451, 223, 347, 1246 and Wing Staff Officers all teamed together recently to teach a group of 42 cadets basic first aid skills to the Young Lifesaver Plus standard, which provides further advance training in First Aid.

Cadets now need to complete this course, initially to enable them to pass their Leading Cadet classification. Passing the course entitles the cadets to wear a Young Lifesaver Plus badge on their uniform (only available to cadet forces), identifying them as a trained First Aider.

The course syllabus includes how to deal with a variety of medical emergencies including allergic reactions, bleeding, fractures & falls and breathing problems.

All cadets passed with flying colours and are all confident that they could deal with most medical emergencies – although they all have fingers crossed that they’ll never

Nijmegen 2006 Report
by Fg Off V Seabridge, West Mercian Wing Road Marching Officer

The 90th International 4 days Marches were completely different in 2006. It is hard to express without showing the disappointment of the 13 members of the Wing who went, who had all spent the previous 9 months training, and had all put a lot of time and effort into the Marches, as, for only the third time in their 90 year history the Marches were cancelled.

Due to the high number of casualties on the first walking day of the Four Day Marches, weather circumstances proving more extreme than expected, and the prognosis for the coming days, the Four Days Board decided to cancel the Marches. The weather prognosis was as follows: a temperature of 16 - 17 º C on Tuesday morning 5am, rising to 26 º C in the morning, 29 º C in the afternoon and late afternoon temperatures of over 30 º C. These temperatures were combined with a light to average breeze. A crucial aspect is the relative humidity, which decreased during the day from 60 percent to 30 percent. It was therefore the combination of these weather conditions that made extra measures called for.

On the Tuesday morning, a second measurement for the first walking day took place. A morning temperature of 24 º C was predicted while the afternoon offered 32 º C with a light breeze. The high temperature of 32 ºC was expected between 2pm and 3pm. Eventually, it was 33.4 º C and, contrary to the forecast, there was no wind. It was stated that on the Oosterhoutse Dijk in the vicinity of Lent at around 3pm on Tuesday afternoon it was completely calm, which made the heat feel more intense than it in reality was. We found out on our return the air temperature on the Oosterhoutse Dijk was 42 º C.

We marched out as a team on Tuesday morning, 0520hrs, taking it slowly due to the heat, which was measured as 42ºC air temperature, and in the mid 50s direct ground temp. Luckily I had some ice packs to help lower the body temp and carry on until we could find some shade and stop rest and recover.

We finished as a team at 1605hrs. After the normal showers and food the team were in high spirits and full of energy for Day 2, however I was woken up for a team leaders brief at 2330hrs that evening to be informed that there had been a large number of casualties - 300 people had been hospitalised and over 1500 people had dropped out on the first day. The organisers had to cancel the entire event, for all 44,000 civilians and 5,000 Military participants.

I would like to take this opportunity to express to you all how impressed I was of the team, who were there representing not only their respective Squadrons, but Wing, Region and Corps, for their attitude before, during and after the cancellation of the event. Although understandably devastated, they held their heads high and got on with the job they were there to do.

On Wednesday, the British Military Contingent officials confined the military teams to Heumensoord Camp, so kit was, as usual, swapped and our Wing beat the Americans 4-2 at ‘soccer’.

Thursday I took the team to Arneham, where the cadets paid their respects, and Oosterbeck to the Airborne museum. These were places that the cadets would not usually be given the opportunity to visit during the Marches.

Friday was spent in Nijmegen town, with the festival still in full swing - just not the usual happy mood normally expected on the final day. By the end of the day the ATC was the biggest contingent left in the camp. The organisers had set out a BBQ for the evening and a band played in the International tent – it was like being at a disco at the end of annual camp.

We travelled all of Saturday, returning to 451 Squadron at 1830hrs.

A huge pat on the back to the Cadets from the Wing for their effort and the way they handled the disappointment of an unfinished walk.

I will send out the letters the beginning of September for 2007, through the Wing post.

Our thoughts remain with those who lost friends or family in the marches this year.

Presentation evening for Akrotiri cadets- Jun 2006

Cadets from Akrotiri based No 1 (Overseas) Squadron Air Training Corps received cadet classification awards during a recent visit to the squadron by Wing Commander John Conway, the Officer Commanding Ops wing at RAF Akrotiri. Cadets earn there classification awards by hard study of numerous subjects related to either Cadet activities such as Radio work and Map reading or Aviation studies in areas such as Principles of flight, engineering and aircraft operations and knowledge. The squadron had its most successful Exam season yet and that is testimony to the hard work by not only the cadets but also the squadron’s adult instructors who give their time free to help run this youth organisation. The squadron’s results were the best in the wing in certain areas and a special mention must be made to Mr Peter Comina from the Squadron training cell who organised the programme this year.

Wing Commander Conway inspected the squadron before handing out the certificates and badges then toured the squadron’s activities. He expressed his surprise at the number and scope of activities carried out by the cadets and managed to talk to all the cadets during the evening.

No 1 (Overseas) Squadron ATC is one of a number of Air cadet units based abroad. Cadets can take part in all the usual Air Training corps activities both here in Cyprus and back in the UK.

Wing Open DofE Training - June 2006

During the weekend of 16th – 18th June, the Wing held a training weekend for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expedition section at Nesscliff training camp. Sixty two cadets and nine staff attended the weekend, with the cadets from five squadrons; 151 (Leominster), 187 (City of Worcester), 451 (Stourbridge), 1165 (Oswestry) and 2497 (Cosford). The cadets spent Saturday receiving lessons on tents, cooking, map reading, first aid, navigation, kit packing and route planning. Saturday evening was spent route planning and producing route cards for their expedition. Then on Sunday the cadets were out walking demonstrating their new found skills.

The weekend was a success and all the cadets are looking forward to the next Wing weekend which they will undergo a two day expedition over the weekend 08-09 July.

RAF St Mawgan visit - June 2006

Thirteen cadets from West Mercian Wing recently spent four days at RAF St Mawgan in Cornwall looking at the search and rescue task that the stations fills. The cadets, from 1002 (Ross-on-Wye) Sqn (11), 1017 (Malvern) Sqn (1) and 124 (Hereford) Sqn (1), were aMCOmpanied by Flt Lt Carol Marsh and Plt Off Alan Hunt both of 1002 Sqn.

While at the station the cadets went on a number of visits including: 203(R) Sqn, where they looked round the Sea King helicopters, which are employed in the search and rescue role; Visiting Aircraft Handling Section (VAHS) where they saw two Tornado F3s; the Sea King simulators; the Survive, Evade, Resist and Extract (SERE) school; the Safety Equipment Section; the Air Traffic Control Tower; Fire Section and had a tour of the Shackleton gate guardian shown in the photograph.

In addition all of the cadets received a 30-minute flight in a Sea King. Flt Lt Marsh said, “All those who attended thoroughly enjoyed what was a very successful camp.”

First and second for West Mercian Wing - June 2006

Two adult instructors from West Mercian Wing Air Training Corps recently achieved first and second place finishes on their Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Staff Drill Instructors Course (SSDIC). Adult Sergeant Alex Storey, 23, of 347 (Dudley) Squadron and Adult Sergeant Ross McElligott, 21, of 2488 (Kingswinford) Squadron beat thirteen other NCOs to achieve first and second place respectively on their course.

Attendance on the Drill Instructors Course, which is run at the Air Cadet Adult Training Facility, RAF College Cranwell is by recommendation from the mandatory Staff Senior Non-Commissioned Officer Staff Inititial Course or by the Wing Warrant Officer, who has responsibilty for the drill and discipline training for around one thousand cadets on twenty-six squadrons. The course is extrememly intensive and physically demanding, with much of it spent on the drill square learning how to set out a parade square, instruct drill and to organise flight, squadron and wing parades.

Both Alex and Ross were graded as Very Good in all aspects of the course assessment with Alex scoring 100% and Ross 98% in the final examination.

Now that they have qualified as Drill Instructors Adult Sergeants Storey and McElligott are entitled to carry the covetted pace stick and will assist West Mercian Wing's Warrant Officer, AWO Clinton Marsh in providing drill training to the Wing's squadrons.

Both Alex and Ross served as cadets on their respective squadrons before making the transition to adult service on reaching the maximum age limit for cadet service. Adult Sergeant Storey said “It is an honour and a privilege to be able to carry a pace stick. We are both looking forward to raising drill standards across the Wing”.

Adult Sergeant McElligott said “Since we were 13 year old cadets we always had a passion for drill. We always dreamt of passing a Drill Instructor Course, and we're very proud to have achieved this”

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