Cruel but still satisfying. Stunning performance by team 1368 in competitions against other Squadrons in 'blues' events like Radio, Drill, Banner, First Aid, Music, Air Rec and Photography, missing out on 1st in Wing by the narrowest of margins (0.8). This was the first WFD since 2019 hence a bit of a yardstick in our progress in non-sporting events. What was really nice to see, was the breadth of activities we could put in for (something for everyone, esp. the non-sporty) and how the cadets engaged with friends across the Wing. Also, some great STEM and VR/flight-sim stuff that cadets got to play with to help fill up time on the day. 1st by FS C in the Photography comp worth a mention! The energy and enthusiasm of our cadets in competing was electric, esp. the drill and ensemble. The latter ended up with most sqn on stage. Thrown the bombshell of what's your second song, they managed an amazing rendition of "country road" with no prior practice. 

Catching up a little bit with what's been going on. Sqn focused on Wing Field Day (WFD) '23 prep and also progressed Blue Badge Radio with First Class & 0523 intake. Groups practicing drill, banner, ensemble and radio. We managed to get first visit to Sqn from new Wing Warrant Officer to give some drill/banner pointers.

1368 (Warwick and Royal Leamington Spa) Squadron is actively seeking new Civilian Instructors and uniformed Cadet Forces Adult Volunteers to join its team.  1368 Sqn has achieved a high degree of success over the last year winning all of the last 4 Wing sports trophy competitions and brill performance by our newbies at Wing Field Day '23. This success and engagement in the community has resulted in more cadets wanting to join. More adult volunteers able to get involved are sought. If interested, then submit application for info via official portal here (postcode for Sqn is CV34 6RA) so we can arrange a chat with the Officer Commanding:  Find your local squadron | Royal Air Force Air Cadets (mod.uk)   The above link also provides recently refreshed material on adult volunteering roles and some of the safeguarding aspects, such as our need to do DBS checks.

Should be really proud of their Warks & B'ham Wing Field Day '23 drill performance. Alas, no win, the margins are small, but could well have been the best performance of the drill element of the assessment on the day (who knows?) and certainly the best self-taught squad in the Wing. Surprised quite a few staff and you were genuinely applauded by the audience and Wing Warrant Officer at the end. Sounded and felt good and you didn't leave anything on the table in terms of performance element.  Sets us up nicely for the future as quite a few of you only joined in Oct 2022 and have many cadet years to come, hopefully. Next year we can work on it, as there's a few things we left on the table and we can get the uniform order and that side of it properly sorted.

Well done to Sgt M from 1368 who attended the Wing's Senior NCO course, 2-4 Jun 2023, which included Silver Leadership training.  As part of their assessment, the cadets took part in a group planning exercise, learning who to work in a team under pressure to solve a complex problem and present their solutions, experiencing one of the components of selection at the Royal Air Force's Officer and Aircrew Selection Centre (OASC).  

Well done to both groups on the IET weekend. Very impressed. Great team spirit in campsite, best example of any IET/Bronze team I've seen at packing and leaving campsite, surprised by how good some map reading you are. The future is bright. Pre-DofE badges ordered (you have exceeded the conditions). We set up for Bronze DofE's in Sept. Well done all, also to NCOs helping. 

Well done to Cdt F for being our latest cadet of the month. Not easy in a sqn parading close to 40 cadets a night. It was mainly for his outstanding contribution to large number of community duties over a short period including Napton Horse Show duty, Kenilworth Show duty, and the WWII Sherbourne Church parade but also his general attitude to supporting others and being part of the 1368 family.  He unwittingly helped to select himself for a place at the National Air Cadet Muster on 17 June. Well done. Plenty to celebrate.

Well done to all the cadets from our more recent intakes who finally were given their EFA certificates to recognise achieving the basic foundation level of First Aid knowledge Unless they hold a higher-level qualification, Essential First Aid is a minimum requirement for all cadets and Cadet Forces Adult Volunteers (CFAV) and hence forms part of the core training programme for everybody.  The course is run over a minimum two-hour period and competency is assessed by the trainer observing all students undertaking the practical aspects of the course. After completing, cadets can wear the First Aid blue badge. Essential First Aid provides basic foundation knowledge. The next levels after this are Youth First Aid (YFA) and then Activity First Aid (AFA).

Congratulations to 1368's very own FS G. on achieving her Solo Gliding Wings with 637 Volunteer Gliding School as part of her ongoing journey soaring to new heights. Brilliant to see our cadets taking advantage of what the RAF Air Cadet Organisation is able to offer as well as given back to the new generation coming through.

Well done to the 12 cadets and NCOs from 1368 Squadron who helped at this year's Kenilworth Show. This year it was sunny and really busy with lots to do on the main ring and helping with the Equestrian ring as well.  Cadets really liked the motor vehicle aspects, and they did find the lost kid with the baseball cap and purple t-shirt. Not the right one but always worth checking ;-) Another day out in the sun engaged with people and the community around Warwickshire. Also nice to see the Hurricane flypast.

The residential weekend course at RAF Cosford was organised by the Warwickshire and Birmingham Wing's training team with participants from lots of squadrons. Fun but challenging, it covered the skills required to become a good Cadet Corporal and involved them achieving their Bronze Leadership Award with practical command tasks, as well as theory lessons on drill, dress and leadership. Well done to Cdt B, Cdt M and Cdt R.

Tuesday 30 May 2023 saw cadets from 1368 (Warwick and Royal Leamington Spa) have a go at kayaking on the River Leam at Royal Leamington Spa Canoe Club. The session was focused on fun games such as "Domination", "Possession", and the famous rlscc variant of Bulldog called "hey, Mr Crocodile" as well as a bit of journeying and skills progression. Also, the inevitable deck walking at the end, just in case people were too dry. Adventure training is one of the pillar's of 1368 Squadron's annual activities for cadets. It helps to build self-confidence to try new things and boosts comradery between cadets to do things which are fun together.

Community Duties is a pillar in 1368 Squadron's annual list of activities for cadets. Saturday 27 May 2023 saw cadets from 1368 (Warwick and Royal Leamington Spa) Squadron help out the organiser's at a sunny Napton Horse Show 2023.  As well as helping with jump resetting and tear down, they helped officials at the different rings by relaying class entry forms to/from central control. They also got to use their Radio Operator skills to manage comms on what was a long but fun day with their friends.