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15th August 2006

Raft Ahoy

On Monday 14th August 2006, Cadets from 134 Bedford Squadron attended Priory Sailing Club, Bedford for the annual inter flight raft building competition.

As part of the squadron’s busy summer training programme, the task was simple, the two flights, Hawk and Tucano were to build and race rafts around marker buoys strategically placed within Priory Lake. Having received a comprehensive safety brief both teams commenced the construction of their rafts under the leadership of their flight NCO’S, Cpl James Tye (Tucano Flight) and Cpl Sean Denham (Hawk Flight).

Both teams entered the water with a splash and the race was on. Fortunately the training prior to the event paid off, the rafts were well constructed with barrels tightly lashed to pine poles and teams well drilled and motivated to win. Squadron Leader Dicks, the Southern Sector Wing Staff Officer kindly agreed to staff the rescue boat during the evening from which he was able to observe the race at close quarters. Squadron Leader Dicks is no stranger to 134 Bedford Squadron as he is both a former cadet and staff member of the unit.

Following a hard fought race Tucano flight managed to get out of the water and deconstruct their raft in good time and were declared the overall winners of the competition. AWO Taylor, the event organiser said, “I am extremely pleased with tonight’s competition. The cadets have enjoyed themselves, we tested our pioneering skills and I have seen some excellent teamwork and leadership being practiced."