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23rd June 2008

The High Life

Standing on top of a 20 metre high pole blindfolded before jumping to catch a swinging bar takes a great deal of courage. But for 10 Air Cadets from 134 (Bedford) Squadron fear knew no bounds when they tackled the high ropes course at the Bramley Military training Area, Hampshire.

The Cadets were specifically asked to visit the high and low ropes course by Flight Lieutenant Tom Brampton, the Air Cadet Liaison Officer at Royal Air Force Benson, to assist in the Station’s Formal Inspection.

Before working at height, the Cadets practiced their team work and balancing skills on a low ropes course where they gained confidence in each others’ abilities, something that would be vitally important later in the day. 

Having tackled the low ropes the Cadets split into two teams, one tackling the ‘leap of faith’ exercise and the second undertaking a tower construction exercise using plastic crates.

17 crates high - A New Record!  

The Cadets were visited during their training by Air Vice Marshall Harper, Air Officer Commanding 1 Group, who was accompanied by Group Captain Lyall, the Station Commander of RAF Benson. AVM Harper was conducting a formal inspection at RAF Benson and was flown to Bramley to see personnel from the station training, as part of a force protection exercise.

AVM Harper spent time watching the cadets working at height and spoke with Cadet Jonathon Bell, 13 years, the youngest of the Cadets present, about the training he had received.

For 4 of the Cadets, Sgt James Tye, 19 yrs, Cpl Nicolas Every, 15 yrs, Cdt Jonathon Bell, 13 yrs and Cdt Emeka Nnoruka, 17 yrs, there was an additional surprise in store when Gp Capt Lyall offered to fly them back to RAF Benson in a Merlin HC3A helicopter. 

Cadet Bell waiting for his lift home  

The Cadets were flown back to RAF Benson together with all the VIP’s present and for Cadet Bell, who has been in the Corps 3 months it was his very first flight with the Air Cadets and his first ever helicopter flight.

Cadet Bell in the Merlin HC3A  

All of the Cadets were reunited at RAF Benson later in the day and were shown around the Puma Servicing Flight where they learnt about the complexities of servicing the support helicopter force.

Cadet Bell said at the end of the visit, “It was a great day; I really enjoyed the helicopter flight as well as the high ropes course.” 

Warrant Officer Taylor said, “It was really good to take part in RAF Benson’s formal inspection. The cadets go

t to experience something very special, the high ropes course, meeting senior officers and a flight in a Merlin. Not an average day in the Air Cadets.”