Alternating drill focus with competition day projects but we started Initial Expedition Training (IET) for pre-DofE group in readiness for June. Well done to Cdt B on cadet of month (she can celebrate). Also certificates for cadets finishing off their classification levels. We're still debating how many pegs a Mirage 300 really should have.

... there's nothing like the sound of everyone halting at the same time.  As well as sports and finishing off classifications, we have continued to focus on drill fundamentals. With the lighter nights, cadets at 1368 (Warwick and Royal Leamington Spa) have been enjoying occasional "drill-off" challenges to compete to be best in the squadron. Still work to do but really impressed with how the juniors are coming through with solid foundations and, more importantly, enthusiasm to be the best. Last week we also started a new intake. 

... and collect his Gold DofE certificate at the weekend. He even got to meet the new Duke of Edinburgh. Prince Edward was made Patron of the Duke of Edinburgh Award in March. We have 6 cadets who are currently finishing off their longer Gold sections, or getting them signed off having completed their "arduous mountain experiences" last year so a few more Golds to harvest this year, plus aspirations to get newer 16 year olds engaged. Ideally we enroll them on Gold as soon as they're 16 so that we can get expedition done before they're in Year 11 and are able to count their Air Cadets activities for Skills, Volunteering, Residual and Physical. They have until they're 24 years old to finish all the sections but having expeditions done before they're 18 is usually the 'Gold' key to success.

Cadets from 1368 Sqn undertook a Wreath laying ceremony at Sherbourne Church just outside Warwick on Sunday May 14th at 11:00 at the bequest of ex-Flt Lt James VR(T), who was part of the Wing along with her husband 20 years ago and used to get her cadets to do the same. The parade was to commemorate the loss of a Royal Leamington Spa born Lancaster pilot Sqn Ldr Eric Maudslay, aged 21, and his crew in Operational Chastise May 16-17 1943 (more commonly known as the Dambuster raids to destroy dams in the Ruhr valley). Credit to the cadets and NCOs for their excellent drill and deportment. The following articles relate: Operation Chastise - Wikipedia Barford Community Website (globalnet.co.uk) Battle of Britain Memorial Flight commemorate 80th anniversary of Op Chastise | Royal Air Force (mod.uk)

Well done to the amazing cadets and NCOs on retaining their best sqn in the Wing trophy for 2023 on Sat 13 May 2023.  More cadets and some larger Squadron contingents to compete against this year but you widened the winning score on last year by a great points margin overall, as well as winning the most competitive junior boys and junior girls categories. Great team spirit, some fantastic personal best performances, and an element of good sportsperson-ship and fun with other squadrons. Well done!  

This week saw the training programme branch into Radio Training, Banner Drill, and Ensemble/Music practice, as well as ensuring the junior cadets have solid foundations in drill. Fantastic work by our Senior Cadet NCO team. Well done also to Cpl R on passing his Senior cadet classification, and Cdt's B and K-M on their Leading badges.

Coronation Cake Bake Off results, 10 May 2023: Well done to all the competitors and consumers in the 1368 Charity Coronation Bake Off competition on Wed. Very interesting. Lots of cake consumed for charity (it was tough, but we managed). The amazingly crafted, if slightly dubious, marking system baked up following bribery to get on the judging panel certainly added to the fun. Everything is in the name, 'Victoria Sponge Strawberry' (Wow). Payment of £75.10 from donations made to Teenage Cancer Trust today, so everyone's a winner. 

Another good athletics session on Tue, despite OC getting pipped in the 400m challenge (by a tiny whisker), relay very competitive again/talent showing through, great to get access to High Jump prior to comp. Wed we did more Drill. Our Flight Sergeant achieved his Instructor cadet lanyard after delivery of a Wing-assessed lesson judged as excellent. Also, some wider training in Radio and exploration of Barry Gibb-style singing talent (surprisingly impressive). Well done to Cdt B on Bronze Music badge. 

Impressive effort by juniors at athletics, esp. the 4 x 100m monster. Also, Bronze DofE badge/certificate to Cdt T and Leading badges issues to 3 cadets. Also, well done to two cadets from 1368 who successfully achieving their Bronze radio badges, 29-30 Apr 2023.