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Showing posts from November, 2023

Week in pictures, ending 23/11/23

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Congrats to Cpl W on being promoted to Cdt Sgt. Cadets get heads down learning for classification exams (First Class > Leading > Senior > Master). Sqn continues tours for 0124 intake (9 done, so far). Frantic work on audio/visuals for prize giving. 1 prize giving group forgets last year, and starts thinking future. CI M takes on Sqn DofE Officer role. Small sign on door, confuses cadets as to meaning.

Congrats to 1368 CWO on achieving her Gold Flying Wings with 637 VGS

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Congrats to 1368's Cadet Warrant Officer (CWO) G on achieving her Gold Flying Wings last week after successfully completing the Advanced Gliding Training package. Cadets must do ground operations as Flight Staff Cadet at a VGS and have flown solo to start advanced training.  Might not be too long before she will be able to take up cadets. Many thanks to the 637 Volunteer Gliding School (VGS) team. Big achievement with a ginormous badge for her jumper. 

Well done to another of our Wild Country Gold DofE expeditioners

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Well done to Cpl B, the 4th of our 2022 Wild Country Gold DofE expeditioners to complete the remaining sections and have their Gold DofE awarded with 1368 Sqn. Particularly impressed by his Volunteering which included classroom assistance / mentoring younger people.  Next stop, Gold Award Presentation at B'ham Palace, or perhaps a trip to Big Dobbies, Nr Shrewbury (if he really wants to live the dream). Who knows.

Ground school training with VGS 632 at RAF Ternhill, 19 Nov 2023

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4 cadets and 2 supervising staff cadets from 1368 Squadron attended Blue Aviation Badge ground school training with 632 Volunteer Gliding School (VGS) on Sunday 19 November 2023.  Ground training and test using simulators is one of the three components to get Blue Badge Wings on their jumpers. a) First Class 'Flying Operations' training  b) Ground Training Simulator Test (as done here)  c) A real flying sortie at either an Air Experience Flight (AEF) Squadron using powered flight Tutor T1's or VGS usually in winch launched Viking gliders. Big thanks to volunteer staff at VGS 632 for giving cadets the opportunity of an aviation day out.

Royal Leamington Spa Remembrance Parade photos for 1368 Sqn, 12 Nov 2023

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1368 historically has divided cadets across both its namesake towns to commemorate Remembrance. This year we had a fixed number going to Warwick and the rest at Leamington. Despite coinciding with important Diwali festival for some, we managed to field at least 46 cadets across the two parades all in top notch uniform. Leamington was little wetter but it cleared for the ceremony at 11:00 which was nice.  

Well done to 1368 cadets who took part in Warwick Remembrance parade, 12 Nov 2023

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Sqn kept tradition of doing both Warwick and Royal Leamington parades concurrently. Well done to everyone that took part in Warwick, including the Wreath laying. All looking very smart, and a great effort by newbies. Nice to see jumpers & poppies (Leam were jealous).

New cadet NCO team is taking shape

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Cpl Promotions: What is amazing about cadets is when cadets themselves take up the challenge of teaching and leading activities. Congratulations to Cdt F, Cdt J, Cdt M, and Cdt H who joined Cdt R in being promoted from cadet to corporal over the last 2-3 weeks. This is the beginning of building a new cadet NCO team and Sqn flight structure for 2024. With solid numbers of engaged cadets of a high calibre, promotion was highly competitive with fine margins. At least two years of experience as a cadet helps. It's not a badge, it's a role. Now they get to experience it from a leadership perspective. Promotion criteria included: Good attendance record - Last 12 months. Good drill standards and awareness. High uniform standards - consistently worn. First Class or higher classification expected. Blue leadership or higher is expected Wing or above blues or green camp experience desirable. Wing JNCO course desirable. Engagement in Sqn community services desirable. Engagement in DofE Bro

1368 Sqn cadets help at Warwick Bonfire, 4 Nov 2023

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Well done to all the cadets that helped at this years Lion's Charity Warwick Bonfire Event on 4 Nov 2023. A bit wet in the morning but it didn't rain for the fireworks display! They also got to sit around chatting while eating all the sandwiches left over by Sponsors/VIPs. One should never be surprised how much food cadets can eat when an opportunity presents itself. Community Duties is one of the pillars of being a 1368 Sqn Air Cadet. We have other pillars such as DofE, Sports, and Domino's Pizza but Community Duties like this show that the air cadets' want to be involved in their local community and they present a positive view of young people enthusiasm to help others. Plus it gives them an excuse to be with each other (and eat).