241 (Wanstead & Woodford) Squadron ATC

Cpl Kris Kretovs and Cdt Ben Hartley have returned from a camp at RAF Akrotri in Cyprus, in the Medditeranian sea. Cdt Hartleys reports;

"When first going to Heathrow airport not only was I nervous about meeting  about 56 cadets I have never seen before but at the same time I was very excited for the activities we were going to do and mostly to get away from the miserable  English weather! When getting into Cyprus and getting into our rooms for the week we had an inspection on both uniforms than did an ice breaker exercise where we went to the sports hall where we were learning peoples names and so on. The first activity and possible my most favourite one was where you get on a rubber ring which is attached to the back of a speed boat and go super fast Whilst trying to stay on, unfortunately I fell off at the last minute!
Throughout the week I done and learnt some many things such as doing force building exercises where you had to work as a team doing about 8 different command tasks whilst we all took turns leading them. Doing this defiantly help my confidence in leading a group of about 10 people. As that was the first day and we were already tired we had much more ahead of us. Everyday we woke up at 6am Cyprus time (4am English time) then had our meal in the junior ranks mess which was quite nice as everyday there was something different.

Throughout the 9 days we done swimming, Water Park, visited the Turkish side of the island and visited the United Nations peacekeeping force, bowling, visiting castles on the mountain, go-karting, the beach, drill, and much more. As we were staying on a RAF  base we also visited quite a few different things on there as well including the Royal Logistics Corps which is bomb disposal experts who gave us a few demonstrations on blowing up a few things with different types of bombs! Also on the base we visited the police dog section that gave us a demonstration of dog attacks then visited to RAF fire section who decided it would be fun to spray us all with their hoses! We then visited a boat that the army use where they again got us soaked! After all that getting wet and seeing the demonstrations we had our dinner and got into our blues uniform then went and visited 84 Sqn who fly the Griffin helicopter after we then saw the best part of all which I was mostly looking forward to -  the Red Arrows!!!! After seeing all this, the next morning we saw the Red Arrows do a display just for us!!!
Throughout the whole week as it was a cadet camp we had a competition between each flight to see who was the best, unfortunately my flight (which I still think were the best) didn’t win. After doing all these great activities and making all these great new friends it was soon the last day where we had to pack our bags go to the airport and was time to say our goodbyes. This camp was the best camp I have ever been on and will possible beat every other camp I will ever do! I would strongly recommend going on this camp as you do so much and learn so many different things to which you would not ever be able to do again!"

On Sunday 06 May the Sqn fielded 3 teams at the Annual London and Middlesex Rifle Association Pre Service Cadets Comepetition at Bisley Ranges, together with teams from 27F and 1838 Sqns. The weather was dull and cold, standard for a Bank Holiday weekend, but the Sqn A Team of Sgt Raj, Sgt Sadler, Cpl Golemi and Cdt Lungu was placed 3rd (behind the second place team by a mere 1 point) behind the winning Army Cadet Team, and Sgt Raj took the third place in the indiviudal 300 yard shoot. The competition provides excellent preperation for ISCRM in July, as the cadets and coaches can experience the pressure of a proper competition on the ranges they will be competiting on. Thanks are also due to the cadets who provided the Butt Party handling the targets throughout the day, who did an excellent and vital job.

Cdt Sgt Sam Richards has just returned  from a Cadet Leadership Course at Nesscliff training area, a weeklong course run by the Army Cadet Force. Competition for places is fierce and it is an intensive and active event, and succesful completion is rewarded with the coverted Leadership Badge. Sam reports:

"Over the week developed my leadership skills with section and platoon attacks, ambush drills, hostage rescue and casualty evacuation scenarios. As the course is run by the Army, I also had a chance to experience blank firing on the L98-A2 semi-automatic cadet GP rifle. The week kicked off with a brief by the officer commanding the course and some icebreaking activities where we were able to introduce ourselves to the rest of the Platoon. The next day began with a rather early 6 O’clock wakeup call after breakfast we commenced the day with a demonstration of a Section Battle Attack from the UOTC (university officer training corps). We then spent the day going round a multitude of different stands that varied from initiative based command exercises to first aid and weapons handling tests. We also had another chance to bond as a section on the forced march, a two mile speed march with rifles. The next day began with practice of Section Battle drills that culminated in a platoon level attack which I had the privilege of leading. A platoon attack, which was made up of several sections attacking an enemy position. We then returned back to camp for lunch in the mess that was quickly followed by ‘Exercise Lost Cadet’ an orienteering activity that took place on the northern training area.

The course now moved into the second phase: exercise ‘cutting edge’. A three day deployment into the training area. We packed our burgans, filled our webbing, slung our rifles and prepared to move out. We tabbed to a forest and set up a harbour area, the rest of the day was moving tactically between various stands that included casualty evacuation, section attacks and evacuation drills. After we had finished the stands for the day we were given time to set up our bashas the thin waterproof covering that would be my home for the night, and cook dinner. The final part of the first day was the night ambush. The platoon set off in the cover of darkness to the other side of the northern training area. The good weather that we had throughout the day was wearing off, and then the heavens opened. We finally made it to the ambush site and laid down in our firing teams, it was our sections’ job to be fire support group in the centre of the attack. We were ready and waiting for the signal, our eyes peeled for any movement outside of the tree-line. Suddenly, the night sky turned yellow and the field in front of us was illuminated in the glow of flares and smoke grenades. It was ambush time. Within seconds it was over. Clouds of smoke and the smell of cordite from our ammunition lingered like a layer of fog.

Early next morning we tabbed over to the Southern training area which would be our home for the n next day and a half. We spent the rest of the day continuing with the stands which included another section attack, a survival stand, hostage rescue and a minefield evacuation. The day ended with our ‘O’ group the brief for the next day’s platoon attack that marked the end of the exercise. The final phase was the dawn attack on the third day. Our section was given the task of fire support which meant we gave covering fire while section one over ran the enemy position, we then swapped into the role of reserve for the next stage of the attack which allowed us the chance to ‘bomb up’ replenishing our ammunition in preparation for the final assault of the enemy position which my section lead. We then re-orgd and victory was the culmination of the last 5 day exercise. All that was left was the cleaning of both myself and the rifle on return to camp and the preparation for the regimental style dinner in the mess.

So that was the Cadet Leadership Course. It gave me an insight into a whole different side of fieldcraft that we don’t do with the ATC I learnt many new skills, and became much more proficient in field skills and managing a team. I would recommend this course for anyone who enjoys fieldcraft and would like to develop there leadership skills in a new and challenging environment".

Sgt Akshay Mandalia has just graduated from the Qualified Aerospace Instructors Course (QAIC), one of the hardest and longest courses in the ATC. He becomes the first cadet to graduate from the course from both the Squadron and the Wing. On returning from the course he had this to say: “The QAIC was, in my opinion, one of the best-kept secrets of the ATC. The variance and range of the synthetic learning equipment that we were instructed with and taught how to use really added a new dimension to the subjects that we are traditionally taught on the squadron. The expansion of my knowledge will undoubtedly allow me to trickle down what I know to both staff and cadets alike! QAIC is a great opportunity for all cadets in the ATC”

The fourth Qualified Aerospace Instructors Course (QAIC 4) graduated at RAF Linton-on-Ouse and saw another 42 students from across all six regions of the Air Cadets gain their certificates and patches. This year saw a new milestone in the QAIC process with two courses running side by side at both RAF Linton-on-Ouse in North Yorkshire and MOD Boscombe Down in Wilshire. QAIC began in September 2011 with a selection weekend and then a series of training weekends held at the Regional Activity Centres. In between weekend courses the students also had to complete a series of tasks in their own time and accessing the QAIC SharePoint server, so were able to work together as team members no matter where they were located in the country.

The course is very academically demanding and requires a huge level of commitment as well as organisation skills to juggle course work with school and college studies. Cadet ranks are set aside during the programme and each student is given a call-sign or nickname which is used the training and events. Standard uniform for the course is a flight suit with course patches and as worn during actual flight exercises supported by the volunteer gliding squadrons. The final part of the course was a weeklong graduation camp at RAF Linton-on-Ouse culminating in a series if daunting syndicate presentations in front of some very high profile guests. During the graduation week, visits were made to RAF Waddington, Also the cadets visited BAe Systems and Warton. In addition the cadets were expected to complete a series of command tasks, leadership training, study air traffic control, become familiar with light simulators and other forms of synthetic training, complete an essay on air power as well as research and complete a challenging 40 minute presentation on a range of air related topics and then be prepared to answer a series of probing questions from a high ranking audience.

The syndicate presentations took place is Cheshire Hall lecture theatre with each group having researched, prepared and practiced for the day. Within the audience was, Commandant Air Cadets, Air Commodore Barbara Cooper and this year’s principle guest, Air Vice Marshal Mike Lloyd, AOC 22 Group and Chief of Staff Training. Each syndicate had to research their given subject and then develop and deliver a full presentation to the audience which is a very daunting prospect when the audience is so knowledgeable. Having completed the presentations, the course certificates were handed out by Air Vice Marshal Lloyd. All the graduating cadets received the QAIC 4 Certificate and patch. They will now be entitled to wear the QAI Blue Lanyard, a rare and unique award only given to successful graduates. The conclusion of the course was the formal Graduation Dinner held in the Officers Mess at RAF Linton on Ouse. Once again the mess staff pulled out all the stops and the ensemble of 1224 (Wharfedale) Squadron Band played beautifully to make this a truly memorable event for the graduating cadets and staff. Having enjoyed the process of a formal dining in event the final awards were made".