1360 Squadron!

During the Wing-run NCO Courses held at RAF Cottesmore during the last weekend in November 2009, Cadet Corporal Josh Ward of 1360 (Stapleford & Sandiacre) filled the 1000th training place taken-up on a Cadet Development Team (CDT) training course.

Since August 2005, when Squadron Leader Mark Richards took over the role of Wing Training Officer (Cadet Development), the Wing-run NCO and BASIC training courses have been run under the CDT banner and with the subsequent introduction of the Cadet NCO Drill Instruction courses, Cadet NCO Leadership courses as well as the Wing-run Provisional Radio Operator’s Certificate course and Radio Communicator’s Badge course, in just over four years later the 1000th training place has been filled.

Wg Cdr Nigel Dickinson presents Cpl Josh Ward with a commemorative certificate.

To commemorate the occasion, Wing Commander Nigel Dickinson, Officer Commanding South & East Midlands Wing presented Cpl Ward with a commemorative certificate.

Sqn Ldr Mark Richards, Wing Training Officer (Cadet Development) said “in just over four years, cadets within South & East Midlands Wing have filled over 1000 training places on the various courses run by the Cadet Development Team. This really is a fantastic achievement which shows that our courses remain popular with Cadets within the Wing and it is extremely pleasing to see the cadets continue to develop and this makes all the effort in organising and running the various courses very worthwhile”.

For two of the cadets, Liam Osbiston and Matthew Carré, it was the first time that they had flown in the Tutor.  Matthew said “I really enjoyed the flight and feeling the high G forces whilst turning was exhilarating.”

Flying Officer Phil Prudham, 1360 Squadron’s Duke of Edinburgh Award Officer, said “The five cadets did extremely well because they walked in an unfamiliar area where typically Silver standard expeditions are held.   The training and practices that they had beforehand certainly paid off because they did not get lost and completed the route with no problems. “

Air Cadets from Beeston and Stapleford joined all branches of the Armed Forces to celebrate Armed Forces Weekend at Wollaton Park, Nottingham.

Enduring the heat and humidity of the weekend weather, the cadets from No 1359 (Beeston) and No 1360 (Stapleford & Sandiacre) Squadrons, Air Training Corps, joined with the Royal Air Force to present a united “Light Blue” presence amongst the predominating “Brown” of the Army.

A busy time at the Recruiting Marquee.

Although initially to be a recruiting opportunity for all the local squadrons, the help of the cadets was requested by the RAF to help run their show. This meant that the cadets were employed on running the Penalty Shooting game, helping with the “Simulator Cockpit” and best of all, helping to set up and then assist with the tethered RAF Hot Air Balloon.

Cadet Corporal Robbie Dinsdale (left) is shown how to fly a Hot Air Balloon.

“We could not have managed without your hard work and enthusiasm” said a member of the RAF Recruiting team at the end of the arduous weekend. Cadet Corporal Robbie Dinsdale who was asked to help with the Balloon, said, after overcoming his obvious excitement, “Being allowed to operate the controls of the Hot Air Balloon was an experience well worth the hard work during the weekend” adding, “yet another experience I may never have had if I wasn’t a member of the Air Cadets”.

The stand produced many enquiries from prospective cadets and adult staff.