Slightly belated but wanted to share congratulations to Instructor and Staff Cadet Flight Sgt G on her successful completion of a RAFAC Gliding Scholarship (GS) over Easter hols. As well as contributing significantly to 1368 Sqn and its junior cadet training, she continues to drink whatever she can from the fountain that the RAFAC organisation is able to offer and is inspired to do more gliding and get involved as a helper and do Giant Jenga. At 16 years of age cadets can apply for a gliding scholarship which provides gliding instruction of 8 hours or 40 launches to achieve their GS wings. Depending on weather, cadets who demonstrate an aptitude for gliding are allowed to achieve solo standard.

As part of its adventure training programme, Thursday evening saw 19 cadets from 1368 (Warwick and Royal Leamington Spa) Sqn Air Cadets undertake a 1.5hr bouldering and climbing session at Warwick University. For some it was their first time, whereas others have attended previous sessions and were able to climb to new heights.

Some pictures from super busy Sports Leamington track. We also took advantage of dry Wednesday to tackle some Drill training for Wing Competition Day in June. Saw some really impressive improvements by FS C's group ("get on parade" was excellent). Special mention to Cpl L on achieving her Senior cadet badge. Also Cdt T on achieving his Bronze DofE.

Well done to Cdt G who was awarded OC's Cadet of Month for March 2023. It was not only that he got involved with everything, with a great sense of humour, even marching in the band after only 1 hr of training but also his amazing helpfulness and communication to Fg Off S when navigating difficult terrain during the IET Henley Ice Cream walk.  A caring and thoughtful young man showing the Core Values of the Corps: Respect, Integrity, Service and Excellence. Respect.

After a very successful block of leadership training which involved mostly our junior cadets undertaking practical problem solving and command tasks, at least 16 of them were given their blue badges over the last 2 weeks. Many thanks to the NCOs and Fg Off S for making it all happen... The blue leadership program of training has been central to our Feb/Mar training for the last two years and has proven very popular with cadets. Done in parallel with basic training it enables our new recruits to get to know each other really well by undertaking fun but challenging tasks in teams with one of them taking the responsibility of briefing and leading their peers (not an easy task but one which builds self-confidence).  The blue badge is that it opens up the possibility to undertake the next level, Bronze, at Wing and to attend Junior NCO courses when the time comes. You need this foundation blue badge to do this. As part of this they were taught techniques for briefing a team such as usin...

March marked the end of a key phase of training for at least fifteen 1368's cadets who completed and were awarded their First Class classification badges. Most of this intake joined the squadron last year; our '1022' intake. Well done to FS Graham for her excellent management of their training and workbook completions. Instruction in aviation related subjects is an important but enjoyable part of the Air Cadets. Classifications give individual cadets a higher level of responsibility and increase their options within the organisation. First Class will open up more flying opportunities.  Classification Badges are worn on an ATC Brassard which is situated on the right arm. Every cadet has a classification, making it separate from rank. Progression goes from Second Class (Junior) > First Class > Leading > Senior > Master. Usually this aligns to years of service, in that they would progress a classification for each year they are a cadet. Cadets can also become Instr...

Cadets from 1368 and some from 1289 Sqn got to learn a lot this week about the engineering and operational side of an RAF Chinook Sqn, a very in-depth insight for those looking to understand what it's like on an RAF squadron and a chance to get close to a very unique aircraft and learn what it takes to keep a very unique aircraft in the air.  Fascinating stuff, particularly for those considering a military career or interested in operational flying support careers and avionics engineering.

Well done to Sgt M on being the first ever 1368 cadet to achieve the prestigious Commandants Coin for Excellence. The award was in recognition of his considerable efforts to be a force for good within the Air Cadets and the local community. "It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters", Epictetus As stated by the OC 1368, "Despite some personal challenges over the last 6 months, Sgt M showed enormous integrity in his dedication to duty, and unbending service towards others with his commitment, hard work and dedication to duty, particularly taking on teaching commitments of junior cadets, and winning their respect with his enthusiasm and knowledge. He is a well deserved recipient of the Award and should be enormously proud of the example he has set". 

Well done to everyone at the first athletics training session with some fantastic weather. Really good turn-out and a real buzz and energy in the air.  We also got to learn some new warm-ups like "the sumo" and "hop, hop, skip, hop, skip skip" (which is particularly hard to do as it requires the brain and body to be coordinated).

S uccessful Sunday early morning community duty for the Regency Run! Involvement in community duties remains one of the pillars of 1368 (Warwick and Royal Leamington Spas). It can help cadets with DofE and Pre-DofE volunteering sections. We're always over subscribed with cadets wanting to do these, it's a great excuse to be with their friends and with our increase in cadet numbers we're on the look out for some additional duties we can help the community with.