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13th January 2007

Let The Training Begin

With Kevlar helmets fitted and webbing packed, 16 Air Cadets from 134 (Bedford) Squadron set off to Chicksands Woods in Bedfordshire, where they were training for this years Easter Camp being held at Catterick Garrison.

On Saturday 12th January 2008, Bedford Squadron started their training for this year’s Easter Camp. Lessons included camouflage concealment, knots and lashings lesson, ‘basha’ shelters and bridge building.

The Cadets were taught basic camouflage concealment; breaking up their distinctive body shape and faces. The cadets quickly grasped the concept of,
“To see without being seen”. When their instructor, Sergeant James Tye, 19 yrs, was happy that the Cadets were “camed up” suitably they were moved on to the next training element of the day.

 

As part of Bedford Squadron’s syllabus knots and lashings are an essential skill to be learnt and are always reinforced throughout the Squadrons training programmes. The Cadets put existing skills and new rope knowledge into practice supervised by Bedford Squadrons newest Corporals, Corporal’s Nicholas Every, 14 yrs and Danielle Malandra, 16 yrs.

During Easter Camp Cadets are expected to sleep out in the elements so the Cadets of 134 were taught the essentials of a good shelter, under the watchful eye of Sergeant Michael Every, 17 yrs. Putting his recent Frimley Park Leadership Course skills to good use Sgt Every taught two styles of basha building and how to conceal their shelters.

After an eventful morning already the Cadets were refreshed on bridge building knowledge by Sergeant Sean Denham, 16 yrs, and a rope bridge was erected, tensioned and prepared for a crossing by all of the Cadets. For some it was their very first time at crossing commando style.

Sergeant James Tye, who led the days training, said “these are all fundamental skills that the cadets should know not only for Cadets but possibly for there future careers. The cadets all enjoyed today’s training programme and will be able to put there knowledge to use over the coming months.”