Page 19 - Cadet Review Autumn 2023

Driffield
Summer Camp
By Squadron Leader Danielle Cooper
The last week of August saw cadets and staff from the Wing descend on Driffield Cadet Training Centre for an action-packed camp of challenges and experiences.
Cadets from 23 squadrons participated in either a programme of Fieldcraft and Shooting activities or multi-activity elements. These programmes were designed to give the cadets maximum opportunities within their chosen field and were aptly supported by a team of dedicated Subject Matter Experts and general support staff.
The fieldcraft schedule was created with skill progression in mind and further split cadets into four different streams allowing them to either experience fieldcraft for the first time, build on existing skills, test their command abilities, and everything else in between. Cadets on this side of the camp began their camp with full or refresher weapons training, which culminated
in a weapons handling test and DCCT opportunities.
The week then progressed in the
field with a challenging programme of lessons and small-scale exercises made to test abilities and really challenge the participants. The staff team enabled an immersive experience for the cadets and brought the world they had created to life with innovative scenarios and situations created just for them. Field rations and nights bivvying under the stars only added to overall adventure.
For the Fieldcraft element the camp culminated in a large exercise with the
aim of putting all the skills and experience learnt to the test. Corporal Alex Parry, 1324 (Hawker Blackburn) Squadron, said “Fieldcraft was fantastic! Camping out and being able to put all our training together in the exercises really helped me cement my understanding. I can’t wait for next year.”
The multi-activity side of the camp was no less busy with cadets given the chance to partake in a wide spectrum of activities, ranging from adventure training and sport to leadership and cultural visits. The main aim of this side of the camp was to give
all cadets, whatever their age, rank, or experience level the chance to just have fun without the pressures of working towards a qualification or achieving a new goal.
Their camp began with a fieldcraft Phase 1 training day, giving some cadets their first ever experience of fieldcraft. Throughout the rest of the week the cadets had the opportunity to visit both the Yorkshire Air Museum and Eden Camp, attend an early evening outdoor pool session to undertake their basic swimming proficiency test and test their leadership skills in a series of command tasks. From an adventure training perspective, cadets challenged themselves in the trees at High Ropes and challenged
each other on a Wipeout AquaPark.
The multi-activity week concluded with
an escape room style challenge, an archery competition and some team games. Cadet Hannah Sharp, 152 (City of Hull) Squadron, said “I found the week really fun and got to have a go at lots of activities that I hadn’t tried before. It was very exciting!”
Despite several challenges during the week the adaptability of the steam team ensured that the overall programme of activities was fulfilled, and cadets provided with experiences and opportunities that allowed them to build confidence, develop skills, meet new friends, challenge themselves, and go back home with a smile on their face and an eagerness to sign up for more cadet events.
Gliding experience
By Squadron Leader Danielle Cooper
The glorious early September sunshine gave cadets from 152 (City of Hull),
866 (Immingham) and 886 (Ripon) Squadrons the perfect opportunity to experience unpowered flight in the form of Gliding Induction Flights with 644 VGS at RAF Syerston.
The cadets were first given a lively and comprehensive briefing followed by the mandatory viewing of the safety video and requisite knowledge check. It was then time to fill up water bottles, apply sunscreen and head out onto the airfield
where the fun could really begin.
All nine attending cadets were given
the opportunity of at least one launch in the Viking T1 Glider, with some receiving a second launch depending on the resulting flight length of the first. The beautifully blue and clear skies meant that launches came thick and fast and
the views from the air were truly second to none. Cadet Elizabeth Gerrard, 866 (Immingham), said “the take-off was really great, like a roller coaster ride”, and Cadet Olivia Brocklebank, 152 (City of
Hull), said ““the view was amazing, one of the best I have seen”.
By the end of what turned out to be a very hot but extremely productive day
all cadets were returned safely to the ground having had a fantastic experience and looking forward to their next chance to put the air in Air Cadets.
CADET REVIEW AUTUMN 2023 19