Page 26 - Cadet Review Summer 2023

SWY Wing ATC
SPRING INTO ACTION WITH MIRFIELD AIR CADETS
After the quieter period of the Winter months, the start of Spring has brought a new impetus to the activities of 868 (Mirfield) Squadron.
One Saturday towards the end of March cadets took part in the first of two practical navigation
days in the local area, practicing skills and testing knowledge they had previously learned in the classroom, in preparation for starting the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Expedition season the following month. Despite a wet start to the day cadets enjoyed themselves and displayed some good map reading under the guidance of Civilian Instructors Kieran Parkin, Charlie McGovern, Tom Jagger and Simon Thornton.
Meanwhile, a small group of staff, cadets’ parents and friends set to doing a general clean-up and tidying of the Squadron grounds, sweeping up and clearing the winter accumulation of leaves and debris from the surrounding trees.
On the following day, three cadets accompanied by Civilian Instructor Matthew Thornton journeyed to RAF Syerston near Newark, for a blue Wings Gliding Course with 644 Volunteer Gliding Squadron. A great opportunity as 3 recent visits, in January, February and March, for cadets to go to 11 Air Experience Flight at RAF Leeming had to be cancelled due to
Despite a wet start to the day cadets enjoyed themselves and displayed some good map reading
unfavourable weather conditions. This time, the
day at RAF Syerston was more successful and Toby Dibb, Gabriella Green and Jayan Pathak all got to experience the thrill of getting airborne in the Air Cadets’ Viking Glider. They were able to consolidate the classroom learning and flight simulator experience from the Squadron and achieve the standard required for their Blue Wings (although Cpl Green had already qualified on a previous visit to 11 AEF, flying in the Grob Tutor aircraft).
Another two cadets, Finlay Hope and Louis Scott, travelled with Civilian Instructor Tom Jagger to Park Lodge Shooting Club near Goole to compete in the Wing Clay Target Shooting Competition. Unfor- tunately, another two cadets could not attend at short notice and so they were short of firers in the competition, but nevertheless they still managed to come fourteenth in the Wing.
Back at the Squadron on Tuesday evening, guest speakers from the RAF Careers and Engagement
Cadets Manrajveer Khella and Ryan Carter practice their map reading
Cpl Gabriella Green prepares for launch in the Viking glider
Jayan Pathak, Ryan Carter and Toby Dibb with their Blue Wings
26 CADET REVIEW SUMMER 2023