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4th Sep 2013

Weekend Away

12 Cadets and 4 staff from 134 (Bedford) Squadron have completed their annual August bank holiday camp. Staying at St Martins Plain Camp, Folkestone, participated in Operation Invicta, an adventure training camp designed by Sgt Tye to further develop some of the cadets core skills.

Packed into the weekend training programme were leadership tasks, map reading, shooting, room inspections, a night exercise, a trip to the beach and physical training (PT).

For some of the cadets this was their first time away with the Squadron and it certainly seems it won’t be the last. Some new experiences was having to use sheets and blankets to make up their beds displaying hospital corners for the daily round of room inspections conducted by the SNCO team.

Shooting was one of the highlights of the weekend and the cadets travelled down the coast to Lydd Camp where they spent time using the Dismounted Close Combat Training Range (DCCT). With the assistance of the advanced computer diagnostics available to the range staff, the cadets were able to hone their individual marksmanship skills.

Saturday evening saw the cadets ‘deploy’ on the night exercise named Operation Voyager which included several different elements. The Cadets had to use navigation, radio communications, diplomacy, investigation and field craft skills. Despite the torrential rain in the evening the Cadets wanted to sleep out in their bashas after selecting a good dry harbour area. The next morning the Cadets were woken up to the smell of a full English breakfast in the field, the sun was out and the morning element commenced.

To conclude the weekend the cadets spent Sunday afternoon on the beach at Hythe enjoying a well deserved rest in the sun whilst eating ice cream. After an actioned packed weekend the Cadets took themselves to bed around 9pm

The weekend tested the cadets both physically and mentally and it was evident to the accompanying staff that all those who participated thoroughly enjoyed themselves. When the staff asked the Cadets who would come again everyone’s hands sharply went up. The Cadets said this camp was one of the best camps they have ever been on.

Sergeant James Tye who co-ordinated the weekend said, “We had a great weekend that saw our cadets give everything their best. I’m really pleased with the feedback from the cadets and for most this was the best camp they have been on and it was a pleasure to hear that. I am sure they will all cherish the memories of their experiences for some time to come.”

Cadet Mann (13yrs) Said afterwards "It was a great camp, I really enjoyed it. I particularly enjoyed the DCCT range."