A group of RAF Air Cadets from 1461 (Wigston & District) Squadron, Air Training Corps (ATC) have triumphed in their local annual competition that recognises the achievements of the Squadron in the past year.
Throughout the year, cadets take part in various activities- anything from target shooting, flying/gliding, sports and annual camps at RAF stations. All of these activities are measured using a points system which is then reviewed annually with an Annual Formal Inspection by the Wing Commander.
This is a fierce competition between the 29 Squadrons that make up South and East Midlands Wing ATC with each Squadron working incredibly hard throughout the year to give the cadets the best possible cadet experience which in turn, would collate the most points for the Squadron.
The results are always given on the annual Wing Training Day, held at RAF Wittering which was conducted on 3rd July and due to the success that 1461 had in 2015, they were awarded the Auster Trophy meaning that they are officially the best Squadron in South and East Midlands Wing ATC.
But the triumph didn’t end there as Wigston were also awarded the trophy for the best Training Squadron and the best Shooting Squadron. Of course, these two victories helped towards the final Auster Trophy results but to be winners of not just one but three trophy’s on the day is a fantastic achievement for the teenagers that dedicate their time to the Squadron.
As part of the Annual Training Day, all of the Squadrons participate in various competitions on the day, putting into practice all of the skills they have learnt throughout the year that make up the Auster Trophy. The results for the competitions on the day were also given and, after the announcement of the Auster Trophy results, Wigston were thrilled when it was announced that they had come a very close second place in the training day results!
Squadron Commander Flight Lieutenant Tim Hargraves commented “I am so proud of my wonderful Unit. In today’s society, it is so easy for kids to be given a hard time and bear the brunt of the wrong doings within society but my group of cadets that make up 1461 have done themselves proud this past year. To win the Auster Trophy and come second at our Annual Training Day is not something that can ‘just’ happen- it takes time and dedication from both the cadets and volunteer staff team alike and I am just so proud of the team under my command that have made this happen. Well done everyone!”