Cadets and staff from Norfolk and Suffolk Wing have recently returned from a great week away on Easter Camp at RAF Linton-on-Ouse, home of the Tucano and 72(R) Squadron who train up tomorrow’s fast jet pilots before their final training on the Hawk jet at RAF Valley.
Cadets from 221(Norwich), 432(Woodbridge), 759(Beccles) and 1895(Cromer) squadrons, along with staff from Wing Headquarters, 188(Ipswich) and 356(Felixstowe) squadrons, all had a fun filled action packed week in North Yorkshire. Trips were taken to Elvington Air Museum, The Royal Armouries, and Eden Camp, along with a day spent at ‘Adrenaline’ were the cadets took part in a great confidence building High Ropes course and competed against each other on the Krypton Factor Assault Course. A highlight of the week for many was an insightful trip to RAF Fylingdales, home of the UKs space monitoring programme as well as an exciting few hours spent on a Helicopter Full Crew Simulator. The two best cadets from each flight were treated to a 30 minute flying lesson on the Tucano Simulator.
Best Overall Cadet of the week was Cadet Macartney Aldous, 15, from 221(Norwich) Squadron. Cadet Aldous said “the camp was one of the most amazing experiences of my cadet career so far. Aside from meeting so many other cadets from across the Wing, flying in the Tucano sim was an experience i will never forget. I was also able to spend a mornings work experience with the Engineering squadron, and I was able to marshal our several aircraft under instruction. It was brilliant!”
Flight Lieutenant Dixon RAF VR(T), Camp Commandant for the week added “the staff and cadets could not have asked for a better week thanks to the staff at RAF Linton-on-Ouse. It was particularly satisfying to see the younger cadets grow in confidence over the week. You wouldn’t have recognised them after day 5!”