Air Cadets from Sector 2 of East Cheshire & South Manchester Wing recently visited Halton Training Camp in Lancaster. The cadets and staff took part in the weekend camp which included a number of training courses and a Night Exercise for everyone taking part in the camp.

 

 

The aim of the camp was for every cadet to leave at the end of the weekend having achieved a new qualification. The courses running during the weekend were: L98A2 Training, No.8 Training & Live Firing, Youth First Aid, Fieldcraft Leadership and Radio Communications.

 

 

The Leadership Course had the pleasure of living out in the field for 36 hours, cooking and looking after themselves within their own sections. The main aim was for them to be able to lead a small group of cadets on a Fieldcraft exercise in the future. Amongst other things, the cadets learned to navigate during the day and night, how to make temporary camps and to use surveillance skills on the ‘enemy’. 

 

 

The training was conducted mainly by Civilian Instructor Chris Wimbury of 2468 (St Gregory’s School) Squadron and he was assisted by two Qualified Junior Leaders; Cadet Warrant Officer Joe Hynes and Cadet Warrant Officer Danny Williams. Cadet Warrant Officer Hynes said “To spend a weekend passing on the skills I’ve been taught on Junior Leaders is the reason I endured the 6 months of training. It was great fun and I can’t wait to do it again.”

 

 

Cadet Corporal Dale McLaughlin of 162 (Stockport) Squadron Said - “This was the best weekend I’ve ever done with Cadets, I’ve had so much fun putting all the skills I’ve learned on the squadron together and learning loads of new ones. The Nitex was excellent even though we didn’t find Blue November”

 

 

The L98A2 training course was conducted by Sergeant Tom Robinson from 2168 (Yeadon) Squadron in Central & East Yorkshire Wing. The 13 cadets on the course were only the second group of cadets in the Wing to be trained on the new weapon. They are now eagerly awaiting the arrival of ECSM Wing’s own weapons at RAF Shawbury so they can put their skills into practice.

 

 

Sergeant Robinson said “I was more than happy to travel over from Yorkshire to help deliver the training to Sector 2’s Cadets. It is also good to catch up with old friends from within the Region.”

 

 

Live Firing was also planned to be a big part of the camp and any cadets who were qualified on the L98A1 and No. 8 Rifle were given the opportunity to shoot on the excellent range facility at Halton Training Camp. 

 

 

Having spent the Saturday learning all about the weapons and passing Weapons Handling Test the cadets on the No.8 Training Course had the opportunity to fire for the first time.

 

 

Flight Lieutenant David Bothamley OC 2468 (St Gregory’s School) Squadron said “The Training went really well and having the opportunity to get the newly qualified cadets to fire the next day meant they could put their training into practice straight away. Hopefully next time they shoot they’ll be able to qualify for Marksman Badges!”

 

 

Squadron Leader Ian Revell who is the Senior Wing Staff Officer for Sector 2 arrived early on Sunday Morning, just in time for breakfast! He then went on to see the training first hand and commented. “I was very impressed with the number of cadets on the camp doing something positive with their time. The weather was excellent and it was good to see them all learning new skills and enjoying themselves.

 

"I would like to extend my thanks to all the staff who worked so hard in Exercise Red October a resounding success.”