Beccles Air Cadet

Cadets from 759 Beccles, 1070 Diss and 469 Lowestoft squadrons joined together to help the Diss branch of the Royal Air Force Association (RAFA) at Flixton aviation museum on Sunday 22^nd August.Former members of the Royal Air Force were invited to celebrate the 70^th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, among these veterans were pilots, navigators and gunners that all served during the Battle of Britain, some of these were in the Air Defence Cadet Corps (the forerunner of the ATC).As a mark of great respect and gratitude, the cadets lead by WO Martin Dobson performed a march pass to honour all the veterans that severed during the Battle of Britain . The salute was taken by the RAF Association Liaison Officer from RAF Honington. (This was captured by the Look East team and was on the News that evening).

Many of the cadets spent time with the veterans finding out what it was like serving in the RAF during this time. The cadets that went had a fantastic day helping with recruitment, escorting the VIP’s, helping RAFA members and looking around the aircraft displays at the museum. Taking every opportunity to talk to the RAFA members and the museum staff about their experiences and sharing knowledge of old and new aircraft.

759 (Beccles) and 469 (Lowestoft) squadron joined together for a first aid weekend with all of the cadets performing outstandingly well and completing the course. The course was held at 469 (Lowestoft )squadron and lasted the whole weekend which consisted of theory and practical lessons providing the cadets with the skills and knowledge to deal with any scenario put to them. There were many cuts/breaks and foreign objects with fake blood for the cadets to dress with bandages and work out the best way to deal with the injury. Resuscitation Annie also made an appearance and was saved on many occasions.

759 (Beccles) squadron would like to thank 469 (Lowestoft) squadron for being a most excellent host and providing the cadets with an action packed weekend which the cadets and staff thoroughly enjoyed.

Cdt Roberts said “ I really enjoyed the weekend especially meeting and learning with other cadets from Lowestoft squadron. The mixture of theory and practical lessons made it more interesting and varied”.

Both squadrons have now been awarded their badges and will wear them with pride on there brassards for all to see. As the course was so successful another course will be run later on in the year to give our newer cadets the opportunity to gain a qualification in first aid.

759 (Beccles) Squadron went gliding again at RAF Witton Watton, each cadet had the opportunity to take the controls of a Viking and enjoyed 3 flights, either doing aerobatics or navigation techniques. Each cadet thoroughly enjoyed their time in the air and has had the opportunity to either fly more than once this year or apply for a gliding scholarship.

However for one of our newer cadets Cdt Rozzi Hembling the experience was a little bit more special as this was her first time flying a Viking glider. Cdt Rozzi Hembling 14 said “ This was my first time in a glider and I was a bit nervous but I loved every minute of it and the views were fantastic, I cant wait until I go again”.

Eighteen year old Matthew Miller of Thurton, a CWO at 759 (Beccles)Squadron Air Training Corps, attended the Launch of Cadet 150 in London on the 17th February. Matthew was one of 26 cadets from the Combined Cadet Forces, Army Cadet Force, Sea Cadet Force and Air Training Corps to attend a launch celebration of 150 years of the Cadet Forces in London. The day included a reception at Buckingham Palace, with Her Majesty The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, followed by a photo shoot and tour at 10 Downing Street. This was followed by lunch at Whitehall, dinner a Wellington Barracks and a reception at Lancaster House hosted by the Uylesses Trust which was attended by Sir Ranulph Fiennes.

Matthew said “It was a great honour to be chosen as one of the Ambassador Cadets for the event. It is great to be part of such a fantastic organisation and have an opportunity to attend such an event as this”.

This years Norfolk and Suffolk wing Athletics was held at Bury St Edmunds. 759 (Beccles) Squadron did exceptionally well, 12 cadets attended the event and all achieved outstanding results and came home with 11 medals and the sports challenge Lush cup and plate for the best small squadron, last won when the squadron was a D/F of 469 Lowestoft squadron back in 1967. Many Squadrons from across the region took part with all the cadets enjoying themselves and trying their best, especially Cdt Knode 16 who achieved a gold in relay, silver in high jump and a bronze in the 200m run, “ I really enjoyed the day and I am well happy with what I have achieved ”.

This was a great achievement by 759 (Beccles) squadron and the Acting C/O Martin Dobson says “All though the number of cadets are small on the squadron, it goes to show the kind of calibre we have”.

 The completion was held at RAF West Tofts, Stanta Dte with 250 cadets making up 29 teams and all competing for the annual trophy. The teams consists of 8 cadets ranging in age and sex, competing in 9 events, shooting, leadership, archery, raft building and river crossing, orienteering, field craft, aircraft recognition, first aid and general service knowledge. However 759 (Beccles) Squadron did not take home the trophy this year that went to 231 (Norwich) squadron. But did come 6 which was a vast improvement as for the last 2 years have only managed to come 12.

All cadets enjoyed themselves and worked extremely hard under the leadership of CWO Matt Miller who brought the team together and kept them motivated, however this was his last wing field event and his replacement will have an evener bigger challenge next year in leading our cadets to victory.

Cdt Klingsick say “I really liked the shooting event the best and will definitely go again next year, I also enjoyed the social interaction with other squadrons across the region”.

Cadet Hannah Fryer aged 16 from 759 Beccles squadron returned home from the Air Cadet Organisation National concert band Camp at the RAF Cranwell, Lincolnshire, the proud owner of an Air training corps concert band musicians badge and knowing that she is the first cadet of 759 Beccles squadron to ever attend the camp.

Most of her mornings, evenings and occasional lunch times was devoted to practising for the concert in the hall at the end of the week in front of friends, family and squadron staff. Dining in at night is a big part of the annual camp and this year was special as it was Squadron Leader Peter Slaney’s last camp as head of music.

She still managed to fit in many activities throughout the week including, shooting, RAF fitness test, football, bowling, team building exercise, FAMEX (familiarisation exercise) and drill (ready for the inter flight competition). Cadet Hannah Fryer enjoyed the team building games like Evolution, she says “I was photographer for the exercise and I certainly had a laugh watching the flight amble their way round a forest, blindfolded, trying to climb over, under and through obstacles”. After a tour round Cranwell College hall, the drill competition took place outside the front of the College hall, which B flight won by one point!

Cadet Hannah Fryer and 43 other cadets also got the opportunity to visit RAF Scampton, the home of the Red arrows display team. Were she watched their new display and also the GYPO team (second year pilots) do a very action packed daring display, before the EDNA team (first year pilots, including Kirsty Moore) did a slightly more relaxed basic manoeuvres display.

A cadet Flt Sgt Gabriella Wells was one of the 42 cadets given the chance to go on a camp to Akrotiri in Cyprus for 10 days. She was able to learn about the Cyprian air base which included learning about the fire station, bomb disposal, air rescue and history of the base. As a Flight Sergeant Gabby was one of four of the flight commanders for the week.

She also got to experience part of Cyprus outside the base which included a trip to the a water park, the coastal areas and to the divided city of Nicosia and was able to cross the green line into the Republic of Turkey. When asked about the week she said “I learnt a lot about the separation of the Island and found it fascinating to see the amount of UN control in the area still in control up until now”. She had a very successful week being able to have her first flight in Cessna 172, coming joint first in Karting and being awarded ‘Best Cadet on Camp’ which enabled her the one off chance to fly in the Air Rescue Griffin helicopter.

Visiting the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight

This week 7 cadets from the squadron have been at RAF Scampton for the squadrons annual camp. Over the week the cadets have got to know RAF Scampton and it’s unit. The Command and reporting centre (CRC), 1 Air Control Centre (1ACC) and the RAF Aerobatics Team (The Red Arrows!) where among the units visited on RAF Scampton as well as the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) at RAF Conigsby.  Other activities on camp envolved some cadets firing the L98 A2 rifle, a series of visits to Linconshire museums including Newark Air Museum and the RAF Digby Ops room as well as lots of sport throughout the week. There was even ice skating and bowling on the last couple of nights.

During the weeks activities our cadets were split into two flights along with cadets from; 864 Watton, 42f Kings Lynn, 2110 North Walsham, 2356 Caistor squadrons. Cadets got to know each other through a series of team working and leadership exercises as well as the inter-flight competitions across the week.

For Cadet Liam Klingsick this was his first camp. “I enjoyed it, the museams were pretty interesting and ice skating was good… I made loads of new friends too.”

High Flying Seventeen year old cadet Flt Sgt Matthew Miller, has recently taken a two week light aircraft Flying Scholarship through the Air Cadets. Matthew travelled up to Tayside aviation for the course on the Grob Heron, this is a very intensive course with a lot to learn and take in.
The course involves learning all aspects of flying, take off’s & landings, radio procedures, circuits, stall recovery and rules of the air to name but a few. Matthew also had to sit pre solo ground based exams just like anyone else going for their private pilots licence (PPL). Matthew can use these hours towards this if he wishes to carry on.
After passing the ground based exams and pre solo flight with the instructor, Matthew took the controls for a solo circuit, After this he said “What a brilliant experience and knowing that you flew the whole circuit with no instructor to help made me feel on top of the world.