Helicopter Flights, Hockey, Heartstart Instructor and High Ropes Course!
Flying is a key part of the air cadet experience – it is what sets us apart from similar organisations. In addition to the Grob Tutor Air Experience Flights that cadets can participate in, they also have the opportunity to take part in other flight experiences, most commonly in helicopters. Over the past three years cadets from the squadron have taken to the skies in both Chinook and Puma helicopters. In 2017, @north region held the first regional aviation day at @RAF Topcliffe, home to @645 VGS. The day was huge success and gave participants the opportunity to experience new activities both in the air as well as on the ground, with STEM tasks, sports and climbing walls to name a few! Last year, Scotland and Northern Ireland wing conducted a similar activity, opening it up to our wing. This time the cadets travelled to Leuchars Station Army Barracks in Scotland to participate in the helicopter muster. Finally, this year, cadets attending summer camp at RAF Benson also got airborne, again in Puma and Chinook helicopters.
Each year, the wing competes in a variety of sports competitions, competing against other wings to represent the region, and onwards to corps matches. One such competition is hockey. Cadets from the squadron have the opportunity to join others from around the wing for hockey training sessions which happen throughout the year, with the opportunity to be selected for the wing team. Although competition can often be tough, cadets have previously been selected to compete at higher levels.
As previously mentioned, First Aid is a vital skill which is taught to all cadets and staff members within the Air Training Corps. Heartstart, which is a two hour emergency first aid course provided by @bhf , can be delivered by cadets who are qualified Heartstart Instructors. To become an instructor, cadets must hold a recognised first aid qualification of at least 16 hour duration, such as the @SJA Activities First Aid, as well as completing the Method of Instruction Course and passing the assessment to become an Instructor cadet. The squadron currently has four cadet Heartstart instructors who delivered Heartstart sessions last week, training and refreshing 29 cadets in life saving skills.
As part of the Kingswood adventure centre visit earlier in the year, cadets completed aspects of the high ropes course, such as the 3G swing. Another visit is being planned for next year, in which other components of the high ropes course will be on offer to challenge and test the participants.
Do you fancy getting involved in any of these activities? Are you up for fun, adventure, incredible experiences and making new friends? Aged between 12 (and in year 8 ) and 17? JOIN AIR CADETS. We are recruiting now, send us a message to find out more and join us next week as we continue our #WhatWeDoWednesday articles.