Well done to those cadets that completed the 15 mile costal walk with 149 (Poole) Squadron on the 07 Sep 13. The weather stayed fine and everyone enjoyed the walk and (most of) the hills.
Left to Right CWO Souden, Cdt Gardiner, Sgt Thomas-Hillman, Cdt Bower, Sgt Navrady-Pitcher.
On Saturday 07 Sep 13 cadets from Ferndown will be joining 149 (Poole) Squadron on their annual sponsored walk. The cadets from Poole are raising funds for their Squadron and our cadets have asked to raise money for the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation (JTYAF).
Administration
Cadets will need the usual Form TG21/TG23 and 3822. This is an normal ATC Adventure Training activity and as such cadets are covered by ATC insurance.
Transport
Cadets will need to be at Studland Car Park at 0830. The walk will finish at Wareham Quay at approximately 1615. Transport details will be finalised in the week leading up to the event.
Equipment
Conduct
Cadets are reminded that although they are in civilian clothing they are still representing the Corps and their behaviour should reflect this during the walk.
Sponsorship
We understand that many of you have recently raised funds for the JTYAF through the Dorset Plane Pull. Bearing this in mind it is not compulsary to be sponsored for the walk and cadets may take part purely as an adventure training activity if they wish.
Those cadets wishing to obtain sponsorship for the walk should use the attached form.
M Berry
OIC
Day One
So after what seemed like forever, school was over! I packed up and went to the hut. After some time helping with some last minute logistics, I was on the minibus and on my way to Bovington. All the unloading of the various vehicles took a while but soon enough we were ready to begin with our first night op. There was only twelve assistants, six in each fire team, we did some patrolling and practised our manoeuvres until about 23:00 when we headed back to our Bivvi Area. The sleep wasn’t the best for me because I sleep walk but I survived the night. One down, two to go.
Day Two
I woke up at about 07:00 and was the last person awake, no surprise there! Breakfast was, as usual when at Bovington, of the canned variety. The morning started with some more patrolling although it was rather exciting having to chase the students, adding to the realism of hostile forces for the students on the course. The day was a wash of different exercises across the Bovington Training Area. In the night ex the students had to retrieve the glow sticks from three different locations, my teams position was the last one left and took the students over an hour to retrieve, so long I used the opportunity to have a quick sleep but fortunately I wasn’t on Stag duty. We returned back to the bivvi area and made our bashers for the evening.
Day 3
The third and final day, where does time go when you’re having a good time!? We were tasked to act as a hostile force in a part of the training area known as the dust bowl. The student’s mission was to retrieve a captured pilot. It took the students a while to arrive on location and the assistants all noted that the student camouflage wasn’t up to much. In the end the Section Commander decided it would be easy to call in an “Apache” for this exercise this was Warrant Officer and Sergeant Symonds driving a 4×4 playing Ride of the Valkyrie through the car speakers ! The best part of this was having to dive on the floor dramatically. The exercise lasted around three hours, but we all ended up with a bit of a tan due to the desert like conditions. We arrived back at the Bivvi area, packed up all our kit onto the vehicles and this was followed by a couple of ‘Fod Plods’ or litter sweeps as they are more commonly known. And so with around ten hours of sleep over the whole weekend we set off back to Ferndown.
After a sleep in the vehicles we returned back to the hut. The evening was very relaxed with a BBQ and sports. This was a chance to catch up with our mates, who were students on the course from 2358 but also meet new cadets representing 130 (Bournemouth) and 149 (Poole) squadrons.
Watch this space for some photo’s to follow…
By Cadet Whitcher
2358 Air Training Corp Press Team
For those cadets who confirmed that they were taking part in the Nijmegen Marches on Monday and have dispatched their paperwork this week, the first training session will be on this Sunday on 03 Feb 2013.
We appreciate that this is short notice but Dorset is still the process of organising its own Training Walks so for now we are trying to share with Wiltshire.
The OC of 149 (Poole) Squadron will be driving a minibus to Melksham for the walk and our Squadron will be represented by Sgt Bones.
Cadets are to be at Poole Squadron by 0545 Hours. They will need the usual permission forms (see below)
Cadets will require the following kit:
Details will be finalised on Friday.
M Berry
OIC
Forms
Location Map for Poole Squadron
View Larger Map
On Monday Sgt Roberton took a list of cadets who wished to commit to taking part in the Nijmegen Marches in Holland this year. Those cadets names have now been submitted to the Nijmegen coordinator CI James Whyte of 68 (Westbury) Squadron. Hopefully having been previously briefed cadets are aware of the level of commitment and costs involved in taking part in the marches.
Please read through the documentation listed below and make both yourselves and your parents/guardians aware of the level of commitment and costs involved. Funding can be applied for through the John Thornton Young Achievers Foundation (JTYAF) and CI Whyte has provided a sample application form, which should be submitted through myself.
The 27 Jan 13 deadline has been extended for this Squadron and therefore cadets are to complete the following actions:
The Application Forms required are:
Civlian Team
Military Team
These forms will be checked through on Monday 28 Jan 13. Cadets are then responsible for sending the forms to the following address via first class post.
For 13 years, Dorset & Wiltshire Wing has been running a highly successful Adventure Training Camp
To the Island of Jersey, Kindly hosted by 7 (Overseas) Squadron ATC. This is the 14th year and the Camp will run from 13 to 21 August 2013.The Camp is open for up to 20 Cadets and will be a residential Camp.
The Camp lasts for One week on the Island of Jersey, plus an additional day on 13 Aug 2013 for pick up and travel. The Accommodation whilst in Jersey is within the building of 7 (Overseas) Squadron ATC and cadets and staff
stay on camp beds throughout. The camp is self sufficient, so all cadets and staff assist with the preparation of meals as well as ensuring the building is kept in good order. The building has its own Kitchen, Shower and Toilet
Facilities.
The week consist of several activities which may include
All activities are subject to the availability of qualified instructors as well as the weather conditions. The programme is flexible throughout the week to ensure maximum time is given to Adventure Training Activities.
Cadets over the age of 15 at the time of the camp and who have attended a UK camp of at least two days duration are eligible to join this camp. It is stressed that this is a busy week of Adventure Training Activities and as such, cadets should have a good level of physical fitness and personal organisation.
The cost of this years camp is £230 per person. This has been kept at the same as the last few years. The cost includes Accommodation, Food, Transport, All Activities including educational visits, and an embroidered Polo Shirt to celebrate taking part in the Camp.
For further information please speak with Cpl NP or TH who both attended the Camp last year. If you wish to attend the camp please apply to the Squadron through the ‘Attendance at Courses’ email form and we will get your application process underway.
M Berry
OIC
Cadets attending Jersey Camp Bus timings/pickups below
Cpl Navrady-Pitcher
Cpl Thomas-Hillman
Cadets have been previously selected for this event by Wing HQ they are:
Cdt Hart A
Cdt Rouillier
Transport is provided by 149 (Poole) Squadron and cadets should be at their HQ for 1700 on Friday 28 Jun 12.
Cadets should have already received Joining Instructions via email. If not a copy can be found here
Cadets attending the New Forest Walk should ensure they have the following equipment:
Walking boots/shoes
Suitable clothing (no jeans)
Waterproofs
Personal first aid kit
Daysack
Packed lunch and enough drinks/water to last the day
Sunscreen and hat (it might stop raining!)
Cadets should have the necessary CC1-CC4 forms, completed and signed, with them.
Cadets listed as attending are:
The Squadron will be conducting a a number of walks this year. This is a chance to get out into the countryside and practice your navigation skills.
The walks will be in various different locations, dates are on the Squadron Calendar.
We also intend on holding a walking weekend, which will be held in August , based at a camp site in the Weymouth area.
A poster will we put up in the end room for you to put your name down to attend the walks and the weekend.
Please ensure you support this activity. It is a new area for the Squadron to move intobut we cannot run the events without your support.