134 (Bedford) Sqn Air Cadets |
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Press Release |
134 (Bedford) Squadron |
In freezing temperatures 120 Air Cadets took to the mountain peaks in Zwiesel, Germany for the Annual Air Cadet Nordic Skiing Course. Among these lucky cadets were two members of 134 (Bedford) Squadron.
On the morning of Friday 11th January, Corporal Ryan Bubbins and Flight Lieutenant Mark Robinson, Commanding Officer 134 (Bedford) Squadron, who was attending the course as the South West Region Project Officer, boarded a coach at RAF Brampton for the 24 hour journey to Germany.
The course is run every year and cadets are selected from across the country. The cadets from each of the six regions were allocated their accommodation and issued their ski equipment for the week ahead. Cross country ski training soon commenced for Cpl Bubbins and Flt Lt Mark Robinson. Their instructors for the week made up from the Royal Air Force Nordic Skiing Team plus a number of local ski instructors.
The aim of the week was to learn the techniques needed to gain a recognised Bronze award in Nordic Skiing. On Thursday the whole course took up the challenge to ascend to the top of the Großer Arber mountain. Although this was an extremely arduous task, after many hours hard work all participants where pleased to have successfully completed the ascent.
The Großer Arber Mountain
Friday was to finish off the week with test for the skiing awards and the regional races and time trials. Cpl Bubbins successfully completed his Bronze Award while Flt Lt Robinson was one of only 14 participants who gained both Bronze and Silver Awards.
The week was rounded up with a presentation dinner to which Air Commodore Gordon Moulds MBE RAF Commandant Air Cadet Organisation attended and presented a number of the awards including both the fastest and slowest team trial awards!.
Flt Lt Mark Robinson said “the course is one of the more physically challenging and rewarding courses the organisation has to offer. All the cadets and staff had a fantastic time. I am very proud to have looked after South West Region Team as well as to see a cadet from my own squadron completing the course.”.