Press Release

This morning, I arrived alongside 6 cadets from 134 (Bedford) Sqn arrived at RAF Henlow to set off for the Beds and Cambs Wing Annual Camp. The camp is being staged at the home of the Queens Colour Squadron at RAF Uxbridge North London. On being picked up by coach, and one more pick up on route, all 40 cadets arrived ready for the weeks activities.

It began with the Air Cadet Liason officer giving us all a brief on health and safety, fire rules, and general conduct around the Station. The cadets then began exercise ''quick change''. The cadets where allocated rooms, then told to change from there civvies to working blue uniform in the quickest time possible. After changing into all three uniforms, and in doing so all kit checked, we then set out on the ''FAM EX'' (familiarisation exercise).

This was a simple 'acquaint yourself' with the base, and the important sections that the base has exercise. After sports the cadets we ended the day with free time, which I used to prepare my uniform, help tidy our room, and prepare for Tomorrows activity.

With breakfast and room inspections completed, we did our first drill practise for the inter-flight drill competition before departing for the Royal Air Forces War Memorial. The visit was to give us an insight of how many people sacrificed their lives for freedom in World War 2. with 20,000 names on the walls of the memorial we were tasked with finding the four cadets who gave their lives in the war.

After this the camp group photo took place and we then headed for an afternoon at the coral reef water park in Ascot.

On returning to Uxbridge another drill practise took place and then we were allowed to eat and prepare for sports activities in the evening.

Today was spent doing leadership training and dry training ready for shooting later on in the week. The leadership exercises consisted of having cadets in a grid with numbers, and moving them all to form a numerical sequence. With points being awarded for time on the exercise, speed, and control were essential. Other exercises used ranks of the forces as a focal point, and tests of memory. With the day concluding with drill and A rigorous PT session we headed back to barracks for a early start in the morning.

With the earliest start of the week, we were in for a flight in a Chinook from 33 squadron RAF. All the cadets were treated to 20 minutes over Uxbridge, for some, it was there first time in an aircraft. After touch down, we were split into teams, our team went off to do orienteering.

After lunch the RAF Regiment held a recruitment seminar with videos of Regiment duties, demonstrations of different types of weapons, and then a chance for some to go on the simulation range called the DCCT (Dismounted Close Combat Trainer) to get the experience on a virtual range.

After a drill practise, we all had dinner, sports and finally free time.

Today was spent at RAF Benson, home of the Puma and Merlin helicopter aircraft, and home of the No.6 Air Experience flight, operating the tutors. All cadets were given 30 minuets in the air doing a range of aerobatics, circuits and different types of flying, all to build up the our experience of flying. With some cadets getting a chance to have a look around the Merlin section of the base, and see up close the workings of one of the most technologically advanced helicopters on the planet.

On returning to the RAF Uxbridge, we had our longest drill session so far ready for the the competition the following day. After this we were treated to a trip to the cinema to watch either Rush Hour 3, or The Simpsons Movie as a cool down after a long hard week.

Today we had .22 shooting followed by a visit to the World War 2 bunker situated on RAF Uxbridge as the 11 group control room. With a presentation from the curator of the museum we were then allowed to view a selection of the war rooms, and think about how the war was fought 18 meters underground and 20,000 feet in the air.

Now the most important part of the week took place. A and B flight took to their best blues and marched with pride onto the QSC (Queen Colour Squadron) parade square for the long awaited drill competition. Consisting of 35 drill movements and the final uniform inspection both flights did there best for the reviewing officer, Flt Lt Bunn. Only taking 7 minutes to complete, the flights were addressed by the staff, and final flight photographs taken. We were given time to relax, pack and sort their kit and start preparing for the Saturday departure.

This was our final full day at RAF Uxbridge. We started off by visiting the Imperial War Museum London to find out about all aspects of conflicts and dramas that have encompassed the globe and involved England. To finish the day off, a visit to HMS Belfast was organised as something different, while giving a sight seeing tour of London at the same time.

With all the rushing around done, the cadets finished off the week with the customary final parade, with the camp awards ceremony. The winning flight, overall, was B flight, who also won the drill competition. The best cadet on camp went to our very own Cdt Hobdem from 134(Bedford) Sqn. Following this the staff said a few words, and we were allowed to prepare for the evenings talent show.

We all said our goodbyes, packed all our kit, cleaned and tidied our rooms before being  led onto the coach to mark the end of the annual camp. With a few sad faces, many just tired, we were sent home, all having learnt something, whether it be about ourselves, our kit and preparation, or British history, all cadets came away with something, including friendships.

A thank you to all the staff that made it possible.