1300 Squadron ATC: Annual Camps

Easter Camp at RAF Leuchars 2008

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 17:28:41 GMT

Two NCO’s from 1300 (Sutton-in-Ashfield) Squadron attended the first week of Easter Camps (Saturday, 29th March to 5th April) at RAF Leuchars, located north east corner of Fife, Scotland.

Corporals Daniel Barnes (15) and Sarah Livermore (16) joined other cadets from our region to enjoy a fun filled week of activities such as flying, drill, adventure training, competitions and Section visits at RAF Leuchars.

They may even have had time to see some of the sights of Northern Scotland.

You can see more information about RAF Leuchars on their website http://www.leuchars.raf.mod.uk/welcome.htm.

Beckingham Weekend - 7th to 9th March 2008

Sat, 22 Mar 2008 12:17:10 GMT

On the weekend of Friday 7^th to Sunday 9^th March, four cadets of the Squadron attended an adventure training camp at Beckingham.

Cadets Jordan Shead, Matthew Bonser, Corporal Daniel Barnes and Sergeant Luke Chadburn all enjoyed 2 fun-packed filled day of Sports, Drill, Initiative Exercises, Casivac (casualty evacuation) and Fieldcraft.

See Corporal Daniel Barnes’ report on the weekend’s events.

A Weekend at Beckingham Camp

Sat, 22 Mar 2008 11:41:53 GMT

You arrive at camp at around 6:00 – 7:30 o’clock on the Friday evening. If you get there early, then you’ve got plenty of time to sign in at the cinema, unpack and get a good bed and locker. At about 8:00 – 8:30 you’ll be called back to the cinema for a camp brief. This is where you get a very numb bum as you sit on the concrete for about 20 minutes being told what you’re going to be doing over the weekend along with all the usually safety information (common sense). You then get the rest of the night to get changed out of your D.P.M.s and do whatever you want. There’s usually a burger van there for buying hot food in the evenings, but if not then you’ve got a tuck shop selling sweets and drink, hot or cold.

Activities:

Sports – This will consist of several weird and wonderful sports that will be twisted form the original idea. Every sport at Beckingham is twisted in some way, the main one being “rocky” which is a cross between rugby and hockey. We played a game of rounders with a Frisbee, until we realise we should swap it for something like a football.

Drill – This is the most boring part of the entire weekend but fortunately there’s not much of it to do. You’ll get around an hour to practice as a flight and then you’ll have to perform the wing drill routine.

Initiative Exercises – This is where you are given several scenarios such as crossing an area you can’t touch with only a few pieces of equipment. You’ll have to work as a team to work out the problem and devise a way of solving them before you time limit runs out.

Field Craft – This is where you learn all the techniques of surviving in the field. You will learn how to stay hidden by using cam cream and things such as webbing to break up your figure and skin. You will also learn all the formation for moving in the field while providing all round cover for your flight.

CasiVac – Casualty Evacuation. This is the highlight of the weekend. It’s where you get to put all the field craft that you’ve learnt into good use. You’ll be given a scenario where you will have find, help and evacuate several casualties within a given time limit.

Beckingham is a great camp for anyone and everyone looking for a fun weekend. It’s a perfect chance to get to wear your greens in the field and learn something new.

Written by Corporal Daniel Barnes

Annual Camp at RAF Kirton in Linsey

Sun, 30 Sep 2007 15:53:22 GMT

From the 25^th of August o the 1^st of September 2007 Sgt Matthew Cordon and I attended the Trent Wing camp at Kirton in Linsey.

We arrived on the Saturday, in the afternoon, and were shown our rooms. We both had lots of space but I had a single room and he had a shared 4 man room, with a bed that had a hole in the middle. That night we did drill in civvies after lunch.

The following morning we got up at 7, and were in civvies again to go a huge market on an old RAF base. This was instead of flying, which was cancelled due to the traveling distance. Later that day we did sport, which was a game of football where Sgt Cordon sprained his ankle.

On the Monday we went to RAF Scampton to do rock climbing, and initiative exercises. There was a spider’s web, which we had to get everyone through without touching it, which was hard when Sgt Cordon weighs 13 stones and we had to lift him up.

Wednesday morning was an early start, leaving Kirton at half 7 to get to RAF Waddington to do swimming. Sgt Cordon and I both did our intermediate swimming tests and passed, then we had some time to joke around and dive in the pool. After swimming there was shopping in Lincoln, where a few people bought some annoying little wizzers that cheesed everyone off for the rest of the week. Bowling was after shopping. After dinner we did drill again, to practice for the competition on Friday. The whole day was in civvies.

Thursday was in greens, with a visit to RAF Waddington in the morning to see the Eurofighter and to visit the Battle of Britain Memorial flight. While there we saw the spitfire MK 5 and the Lancaster bomber. We went to RAF Barkston Heath where we did sport, then field craft and a night exercise, which was the best I’ve ever done.

On the Friday we visited RAF Scampton’s Air Traffic Control tower and the fire service, and we also got to see two red Arrows on the taxiway, but unfortunately the main team was in Europe doing a display. After lunch we were in best blues for the drill competition, which our flight lost due to some moves being left out in the sequence. However, our overall drill was immaculate. That night we had a party with pizza and other unhealthy rubbish which was devoured and we watched a film.

The Saturday morning consisted of tidying everything up, toilets to bedrooms and making sure the block was spotless for when we left at 10:00.

My account only touches on the good things on camps, with people and free time sometimes being as much a part of the fun as the scheduled activities that we do on camp. To anyone reading, I highly recommend going on an annual camp.

By Flt Sgt Matthew C Turner

My First Annual Camp

Sun, 23 Sep 2007 10:04:46 GMT

On 4^th of August 2007 3 Cadets of 1300 (Sutton-in-Ashfield) Squadron, Air Training Corps; Cadet Martin Thomas (14), Cadet Daniel Barnes (14) and myself (15) were accompanied by FLT.LT. Phil Ridley to the Annual Summer Camp at RAF Valley. We would be going to RAF Valley for a week of fulfilled activities, and would return home on the 11^th of August 2007. The morning before we set off to Valley I was very nervous with this being my very first annual camp with the ATC. I did not know what to expect so it was all very new to me.

After 5 hours of traveling on a bus with Barnes and Thomas and a lot of sleep later, we finally arrived at RAF Valley. We were to be staying in billets just off the airbase. 17:00 hours soon came round and I was all unpacked and ready for my first taste of camp food. We headed down to the billets in our flights. Barnes, Thomas and I were all split up from each other into different flights, but I made a few friends in my flight and it was a good laugh. The food was all right but I didn’t eat the main course just had bit of it and gave it away, and ate dessert, this became common happenings during evening meal times as I would give it away and eat desert as I did not really like the food, but I survived.

The following morning I was up and early for 06:00 hours for breakfast at 07:30 hours. I was waiting downstairs in the foyer at 07:30 hours waiting to form up to go in for breakfast, and then to the whole rooms shook, Thomas walked down the stairs, half dressed. He had just got up. So he retained the nick name 0730 for the rest of the camp. After breakfast we had a day walk around the local area. We were told it was 3 miles but as we found out it was a lot longer. Then when we returned to the billets when we had our Nightex. We were told to get changed into DPMS and be ready for a brief. We had the brief, got on the bus to RAF Mona (a relief support base for Valley) and when we arrived at Mona we were told to our disappointment the nightex was cancelled.

First thing Monday morning we had an ACLO brief from the on site ACLO (Air Cadet Liaison Officer). Then we had a visit to the Fire Section were we had a fire safety brief and a tour around the fire engines, then we had the pleasure of watching the staff using fire extinguishers to put out fires simulated by the fire section staff. Then that afternoon I had work experience with NDT (Non Destructive testing) that was the most boring afternoon of the camp, but saying that I did miss sports so I'm not fussed. Our evening activities where initiative exercises while A Flight went go-karting.

Tuesday came and went pretty fast, with us orienteering most of the day on the hottest day of the week and not one of us bought a bottle of water. And drill in the evening. To the whole camps disappointment.

Wednesday seemed to come pretty quick. We went swimming in the morning, and then in the afternoon we had a section visit to the Hawk Squadrons. This was one of my favourite parts of the camp because we got to meet real fast jet pilots and we got to sit in a hawk and we were shown the controls and what not. We were showed round the squadron the kit rooms and we got the chance to try on the G Pants that help pilots when there pulling G’s in the hawks. Wednesday evening it was our chance to go go-karting. We had 2x6 minutes slots to get the fastest times possible, I managed to get 27 seconds and the winner got 25.9 seconds. So I didn’t do to badly. Then we had a BBQ on the beach with a sandcastle building completion, we came last.

Thursday was the day of the drill competition and bowling. We spent the morning with mountain rescue, and then we were whisked away for bowling. We spent the afternoon bowling to our pleasure. Then when we returned to camp we had a section visit to SARTU (Search and Rescue Training Unit). This was good because we got the chance to go and see what they did and see some sea kings and squirrels. That evening we had the Drill Competition, the last blues event of the camp excluding the final parade. I think I produced some of my best drill for the competition as some of you know on SQN I’m not the best at drill. I was quite proud of myself.

Friday came, our last full day on camp. Today we were to go dry ski slopping and FLT Ridley was to take us there because the coach could not get up the hill, so we had to walk. But FLT.LT. Ridley got us lost didn’t you sir? He took us up the hill to find out the place was at the bottom of the hill. But we didn’t mind, we would get revenge later on. After dry ski slopping we had an hours shopping in town. Then it was back to Valley to prepare for the disco. The disco was a really good laugh with the paper plate awards and I was lucky enough to win one. I won the Ron Wesley look-a-like award.

Saturday brought final parade and home time. Final parade brought all the presentations and such. Then at the end the Cadet Warrant got all Cadets to sing “o FLT Ridley took 43 cadets” to the FLT.LT.’s embarrassment.

By Scott Thompson

Cadets at camp - Chad.co.uk

Summer Annual Camp at RAF Valley

Tue, 14 Aug 2007 18:12:54 GMT

Three cadets attended the Annual Summer Camp at RAF Valley for the week of Saturday 4^th August – 11^th August 2007.

Cadets Martin Thomas (14), Daniel Barnes (14) and Scott Thompson (15) all attended for a week long full of activities including flying, adventure training, competitions and maybe even a visit to one of the RAF Sections at RAF Valley.

The three cadets were joined by their very own Commanding Officer, Flight Lieutenant Phil Ridley.

Cadets at camp - Chad.co.uk

Trent Wing Summer Camp 2006 @ RAF Cottesmore

Sun, 18 Feb 2007 16:34:06 GMT

From Saturday 29^th July to Saturday 5^th August, the Trent Wing Annual Summer Camp was held at RAF Cottesmore.

35 cadets, from squadrons all over Trent Wing attended the camp, and we were placed in tented accommodation on the sports fields on the base. This meant that we had ample opportunity to partake in sports and games amongst many other exciting activities, some of which were once in a lifetime chances. Amongst these, there were opportunity flights at a nearby RAF station, RAF Wyton, in Grob Tutor T Mk 1s, the standard training aircraft.

Also, everyone went go-carting with the RAF Cottesmore’s carting club, which was an absolutely thrilling experience. We spent an evening 10 pin bowling which was a great social event, and spent a day at the Imperial War Museum, Duxford, informative and yet an extremely good laugh.

We also spent an evening at a local laser quest, a brilliant night which everyone enjoyed immensely. Also, we went to Rutland Water where we were doing raft building and kayaking, which were turned into fun competitions.

On the following day, we went climbing and abseiling, and up on to the extensive high ropes course, a little scary at first, but a great new experience. We also all had the opportunity to visit different sections of the base, and spent time at the police dogs section, with the fire fighters, No. 1 (F) Squadron and No. 4 (AC) Squadron; both Harrier GR7 squadrons. These were very useful sources of information, especially to anyone interested in joining the RAF, as they each gave some background knowledge and an insight into their particular jobs.

We were also set inter-flight competitions throughout the week, for example an orienteering exercise around the base, a drill competition, and a general knowledge quiz. We also did tent erecting and some initiative exercises. The scores from these competitions were totalled up, and at the end of the week, the winners were given a prize. As you can see, we had an action packed week, and rounded it all of with the mandatory disco on the Friday night, where we presented “paper plate awards” for amusing incidents which occurred throughout the week.

The week was an absolutely brilliant experience, where I was given opportunities which, had I not gone on the camp, I would probably never have been able to do.

by Cpl Christopher Jones

Easter Camp at RAF Northolt

Sat, 07 Oct 2006 15:02:22 GMT

From the 26^th of April to the 3^RDof May, 3 cadets attended a camp at RAF Northolt. Cadets Sarah Livermore, Laura Parnell and myself. Although the camp was at Northolt we slept at Uxbridge because sleeping accommodation was not ready at Northolt. I’ve written this article because most cadets going on a first camp don’t know what to expect, so I hope to shed a little light on this. On the first day, we drove over to RAF Benson for flying in the Tutors. I’ll give you a bit of warning by saying that some of the pilots at Benson are a little grumpy so don’t annoy them. After the flying, we took a trip over to one of the hangers and took a look at the Merlin squadron based there. We then went over to the repair hangers were they repair and service Pumas. That gets a bit boring after a while. We were also able to see the police helicopter take off. Pretty windy.

The rest of the activities are in random order because I can’t really remember but I’ll name a few. Secondly, we were meant to do a bit of swimming but only five people went - me not being one of them - because only one squadron was told what to bring.

The section visits was probably the most boring part of the camp. It was basically three hours of watching how they made flying maps. Although at the end we got to go and have a look at the RAF fire trucks it was pretty cool, especially when we used the collapsible stretcher. Our day was then made a lot better when we were told we would be coming back soon for a water fight.

The Cabinet War Rooms was one of the other boring parts of camp. Like I said before, the Imperial War Museum was a little better, you get two see a lot of World War Two vehicles and weapons. Pretty cool.

On the up hand the best part of the camp was without a doubt, the adventure training camp. We were split into two groups ‘A Team’ and ‘B Team’. I was in Team B and our first activity was to raise a flag post by using a bunch of ropes. Secondly, we had to cross a stretch of ground using barrels and wooden planks. The third activity was to build a bridge crossing a small stream. We failed, miserably. But the best and final challenge was to build two rafts and race them on the lake. This took up the whole afternoon and I’m proud to say we won. Also, back at Uxbridge the officers had lined up an assault course for us. That was the best day.

And that pretty much sums up Northolt/Uxbridge. But if it comes up again I highly recommend it. If your new, or the only one going, don’t worry, you’ll soon make friends, they’ll make sure of that. Also before future camps, a kit list would be nice.

By Cadet Daniel Barnes