News Bytes and Important Dates for your Diary

 

Keep yourself up to date with all the latest happenings on the squadron by checking the links below. (Wherever possible the cadets write the articles with as little editing as possible by the staff - FS Russell ATC)

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Training Programme - Click here to download

 

Squadron Diary

21st June - North Downs Walk __________________________________________________________________________________________________ NO PARADES ON BANK HOLIDAYS, PLEASE ADVISE THE SQUADRON ON NIGHTS CADETS WILL NOT BE ATTENDING ON 01634 720503 __________________________________________________________________________________________________ NON ATTENDANCE We have had several instances recently of cadets who have been selected to do outside events (flying, gliding etc.) not turning up. This means they deny the place and opportunity to someone else, and cause the others to wait around in case they are late. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ THIS MUST STOP Cadets are reminded if you are not going to be attending the squadron in uniform (or you have not yet been issued uniform), you are to attend the squadron in school uniform, or other smart clothing. Cadets who fail to comply will issued coveralls to wear that parade night.

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Change in Command

By FS Russell ATC

The end of March has seen a major change at 213 Sqn. WO P. Everett ATC has stepped down as OiC with immediate effect. He is still remaining with the squadron however. He is succeeded by the SWO, WO M.Hunt ATC, who has taken over.

News in Brief

By FS Russell ATC

Cdt Cpl Jack Dyson has now retired from the squadron, in order to concentrate on his college studies. All at the squadron wish him well.

The squadron have had some recent promotions. From Cpl to Sgt :- Sarah Mahoney, Alexander Gordon. From Cdt to Cpl :- Thomas Rawlins, Daniel Parkinson. Congratulations to all.

Band camp 2008

By Cdt Head

On the 21st - 23rd of November Cdt Everett, Cdt Windle, Cdt Corporal Gallop, Cdt Bowhill and myself went on band camp at Crowborough. It was a really fun and enjoyable weekend and we learnt lots from it. We got up at 6:30 am, got ready and then we had to line up at the mess for breakfast at 7:30, lunch was at 12:30 pm, and dinner was at 5:30 pm. When we first arrived there at 8:00 pm, we dropped our belongings off in our billets and spoke to the people for a while, then everyone had a meeting about the times and what we would be doing over the weekend. On Saturday morning we woke up then got split into groups. Depending on how much we knew on our instruments, we learnt a few songs then went for a mass band practice in the hall. The weather was freezing and by the end of the day we were really tired. After the final mass band practice we got changed into our civilian clothing and talked to other people. At 10:30 pm we all had to be in our billets and in bed ready for room inspection and lights out. At the end of the weekend we was all really tired but loved every bit of it. We would all definitely go back next year.

Clay Pigeon Shooting

By Cdt Puddy

We were introduced to Martin, the shooting instructor, which he showed us the safety procedures that we will have to know.

The first group of five stepped up to shoot first. It was hard at first because of having to align the end of the barrel with the clay disc, but after a few rounds we all started hitting them with ease well some did. The disc flew out at about 60 mph, which was constantly moving on a turret, so you could never predicted where the next one would fly out.

Cdt Bowhill got the most shots out of the first group of cadets but not long after Cdt Flight Sergeant Willison beat his score of 9 but two points.

Then we were debriefed and then taken back to the squadron .

All together it was a very good day

Cross Country

By Cdt Windle

On the 26th October 2008 Kent Wing held the cross country at Chattenden. In the morning a couple of cadets met up at the squadron, to get a lift in the minibus. When we travelled to Chattenden, it was still raining, so the girls were chosen to get changed first, shortly followed the boys. We stood around for about 15 minutes as various groups were being called to start the run, whilst this was happening Cdt Flight Sergeant Wilson's bicycle was being thrown into the bush. The girls group had been called and we had started the race but all through the race most of us had painful stitch. The race was over and most of us was congratulated by the other team mates. I enjoyed this experience and would like to do it again hopefully without the rain.

Results were very promising with the boys team winning 1st overall and the girls getting a very high placing collecting a brace of medals.

Green camp 2008

By F/S Wilson

At first the week was not good being the only cadet from my Sqn (but at least F/S Russell ATC also went along) but all turned out alright in the end as I meet up with my old friends from other wing events. The coach journey there was highly enjoyable singing songs and getting the whole coach together. On arrival I was put in charge of a billet block and also of NO 1 flight out of six. The first night was enjoyable with everyone interacting with people they had never seen before. The first three days was going other Field craft techniques such as camouflage and concealment, putting up shelters and health and hygiene in the field. The day was structured with, breakfast at 0700hrs, then the day's lessons at 0800hrs followed by lunch at 1230hrs then another set of lessons, until 1600hrs where we had the evening meal in the mess, then free time. Then on Thursday and Friday all the flights were put on a 36 hour exercise where we were each given tasks to complete using the techniques learnt in the previous days. NO 1 flight had o retrieve a downed pilot and escort them to the rendezvous point, but as we ran other time we changed the plan slightly and took the pilot to the nearest check point where we were then given an initiative task to do, which we accomplished well. After that we patrolled back to the harbour area (our mini tactical campsite) and waited for the next task to begin which was going to be completed at night, this would really put us to the test, as there was no light shining from the moon due to the trees being do dense. So this meant that we became lost very quickly (by the way I wasn't map reading). So we had to end the exercise there and then even though we still carried out the patrol in a tactical manner. Once we got back to the harbour we hit the sacks and went straight to sleep. It must have been the best night's sleep I had all week as we woke up later then usual. We packed up our kit and cleaned up the area then moved out to the troop shelter where we were going to be picked up by a puma helicopter, which never arrived so we did about of games involving character building and continuity drill (drill without commands). Then we got back to the camp, and the cadets and NCOs' over 16 years old went out on the range to fire the L85A2 (SA80) and L86A2 (LSW) which is the standard rifles which the British armed forces fire. That one point of the camp was the highlight for me and a memory which will last forever, especially firing the LSW fully automatic. Whilst we were firing the rest of the camp all washed and went to dinner. We had to wait till dinner was over to then wash. After cleaning up, the night had started as a disco had been organised which was fantastic with proper club music and not stereotypical party music. Sadly everything must come to an end, and the night did. When I woke up the next morning it was a sad moment as well all knew we where going home. The day went slow, but few more things had to be packed away. Once everything was packed up we said our goodbyes and went on our coach's home. My coach was still up beat all the way back. The week was really enjoyable and I would recommend everyone to go on it next time around.

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KIT CHECK- get it right! C O M B A T S

Combat dress is British army pattern DPM - preferably soldier 95 pattern. Worn with the Squadron badge on the right upper arm available from stores for £2... We have now got a good source of this kit, reasonably priced, so if you need some get it sorted by talking to either WO Everett or CI Parkinson (don't forget to tell us your size)

Any parent wanting advice please call WO Everett ATC on 07905 950958.