Royal Air Force Air Cadets from 121 (Nuneaton) Squadron and the Nuneaton Army Cadets took centre stage in the main arena as they ‘Ran the Gun’ at the recent Parachute Regiment Spectacular in Bedworth
The Army and Air Cadet teams provided a demonstration of teamwork and discipline in the main arena as they conducted their individual time trials using a scaled replica of the equipment traditionally used by the Royal Navy at the Royal Tournament since 1912. Hundreds of spectators were held spellbound as the teams of 10 cadets disassembled, reassembled and manhandled the replica gun and limber around a gruelling course.
The Gun Run competition was a face-off between the Army and the Air Cadets, as both teams battled it out to see who could assemble and disassembled their guns in the fastest time.
Following an extremely close run the Air Cadets came out on top.
As well as running the gun the youngsters from the Army and Air Cadets also formed up in the arena as a combined Cadet Band which did an excellent job of entertaining the large and enthusiastic crowd.
The highlight of the Parachute Regiment Spectacular organised by the Bedworth Branch of the Parachute Regiment Association came as four Jump 4 Heroes Free Fall parachutists jumped from their helicopter and battled the high winds to make a pinpoint landing on target on the arena.
Flt Lt Paul Hincks Officer Commanding 121 (Nuneaton) Squadron said, “This was a fantastic public relations opportunity for the Cadet Forces as a whole and I am delighted to say that the Field Gun Run display has been greatly enhanced by having the Army Cadets on board. I was so pleased to see how well the Army & Air Cadets worked together during the Gun Run and as a combined band”.
He added, “The cadets have all worked extremely hard to perfect what has proved to be a spectacular demonstration of teamwork and music, something we should all be proud of especially when you consider that this was the first time that many of the cadets had run the gun in public. We all had a fantastic day and the final parade by the members of the Parachute Regiment Association and Cadet Forces was a true spectacle of colour led by the Parachute Regiment Band and Parachute Regiment Association standards. I would take this opportunity to thank the members of the Bedworth Branch of the Parachute Regiment Association for their hospitality”.