The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Spalding Air Cadets have returned to face-to-face meetings with a host of exciting initiatives.
The 1406 (Spalding) Squadron of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets have been meeting online throughout the pandemic, but have been able to get back to a more usual programme of activities in the last month.
The opportunities to take to the air are returning with flight schools opening.
Cadet Corporal Keris Moore was attending the 2 Flying Training School National Aerospace Camp 2021 and was one of the 155 cadets who got to go gliding and earn their wings.
Nearly 300 cadets came together to enjoy a wide variety of activities covering a huge amount of aerospace topics ranging from air traffic control to gliding and radio to drones.
The RAF outreach team and Raytheon team also supported the training program with STEM activities.
Cdt Cpl Moore said: “During the camp, I had the opportunity to go gliding for the first time and managed to do two launches where I took control on the second and achieved my blue gliding wings.
“Serco gave an engineering talk on the design elements of the Viking that enable it to fly efficiently.
“The overall experience was amazing.
“I was extremely happy to get the opportunity to go gliding and as engineering is the career path I’m interested in, the camp gave me a huge insight into the role.”
Six cadets went to support the families day at RAF Syerston were there they treated to the an air display which included the RAF Red Arrows, RAF Falcons, and the RAF Typhoon Display Team as well as a landing and take-off of an Army Air Corps Apache.
The group has also celebrated the promotion of the Officer Commanding, Flight Lieutenant Andy Oxby RAFAC.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, Flt Lt Oxby has been the Officer in Charge of 1406 Squadron.
The squadron’s adjutant Pilot Officer Jordan Bertolaso said: “He has taken on this role with dedication to help drive the squadron forward. His efforts have ensured that they remained on their feet and open as a squadron, following a difficult 15-month suspension on face-to-face activities.
“Flt Lt Oxby continues to make opportunities available to the cadets and even the staff. Continually evolving the squadron to ensure that they best represent the Royal Air Force and the Air Training Corps.
“August has been extremely busy for the squadron.
“We also had South Holland District Council chairman and vice chairman, councillors Paul Redgate and Andrew Woolf to visit the squadron.
“Both councillors were very impressed with the squadron and what it can offer to the local community as we all come out of lockdowns.”
The cadets are looking for more recruits.
Anyone interested can contact them via Facebook (@1406ATC) or by emailing adj.1406@rafac.mod.gov.uk
