One of the central goals of the Air Cadets is to provide its members with training that will be useful in service and civilian life. Fieldcraft training is just one of the activity areas that Air Cadets can get involved in. It teaches self-relience, leadership, teamwork and above all it is great fun!

 

861 (Wideopen), 733 (Newcastle Airport) and 1114 (Gosforth) Squadrons assembled for a fieldcraft exercise at the newly established Gosforth Park Training Area this week for a short, parade night activity. The goal of the exercise was to start teaching younger cadets the key lessons in fieldcraft as part of the approved syllabus and give older cadets the chance to test their skills in a scenario-led exercise.

 

 

Civilian Instructor Simon Gaffney of 1114 (Gosforth) Squadron and Civilian Instructor Adam Watson led the lesson content of the exercise for the younger cadets. Simon, who joined the Air Cadets two years ago as a Civilian Instructor, said “I really enjoy teaching the cadets in a field-environment rather than in the classroom. It gives them the chance to put into practice the theory that we are teaching them and work together as a team to achieve set objectives. I love the challenge of developing the lessons and making them interesting for young people whilst sticking the approved syllabus content”.

 

While the younger cadets were involved in their lessons, the older cadets were split into a separate group. This team was ‘inserted’ into the training area by a fictional Chinoook and their mission was to rescue a ‘downed pilot’ and return him to a safe area for extraction.

 

 

Cadet Warrant Officer Andrew Dunn of 1114 (Gosforth) Squadron acted as the ‘downed pilot’ for the exercise and he said “The cadets did really well at this exercise. They used the skills they have been taught for moving in the field and making sure their personal camouflage was up to scratch. They eventually found me and managed to return me to the extraction point at the end of the exercise and completed their mission”.

 

Flying Officer James Elliott, Officer Commanding 861 (Wideopen) Squadron and organiser of the activity stated that “Fieldcraft training is a key component in the Air Cadets activity toolbox in addition to all of the ‘blue’ activities that we are involved in. Like many of the activities our young people are doing, fieldcraft concentrates on leadership development and teamworking as well as putting theory into practice. This is vital training and skill development for our cadets and it will benefit them no matter what future career they choose. Most of all, it is fantastic fun and the cadets get a real kick out of fieldcraft activities!”.

 

 

 

If you want to get involved in fieldcraft training and a wide variety of other exciting activities through the Air Cadets, why not join 861 (Wideopen) Squadron? The Squadron parades every Monday and Thursday at Hazelwood Community Primary School, Wideopen from 7-9.30pm and is open to young people aged 13-17 years old. For further information, visit our website at www.861atc.org or e-mail us at 861@aircadets.org.