Sept marks the beginning of 1368's training year, with new 0924 intake joining and cadets transitioning up a level in terms of classifications and badges. It's also a time when older cadets head off/return from Uni and a significant threshold as we welcome a new batch of prospective cadets into the corps and make them part of the 1368 Sqn fabric. Successes for 2023/24 included: 1368 Sqn cadets won Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing Athletics champions 2022-24 (3rd consecutive year). 1368 Sqn cadets won Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme Wing trophy for 2023-24. We got 5 Gold DofE's last year but also loads of Bronze and Silvers. 1368 Sqn was 2nd, 1st and 4th (depending on recount) in the W&B Wing Field Day last Sept (not bad considering our drill team were mostly newbies). Three senior NCOs from 1368 Sqn achieved Junior Leaders (JL) national course graduations in 2024 (1 is rare, 3 is good in this national 6+ weekend training programme). A senior cadet from 1368 Sqn achieve

Despite cadets going in and out on hols, Sqn has pottered on in August with progression in Wing competition elements like band and banner and some badge successes. Cdt M caught up with classification exams to finish get her Senior badge. Cdt W got her Bronze DofE badge. Cdt F got his Blue Aviation Wings (for his jumper). Juniors switched to expedition planning for Bronze DofE. Last week the cadets did self-led clean-up to add a bit of polish to Sqn building ready for new Sept intake/term.  

Wed night we had a visit by a company from Southam that creates Virtual Reality training called RiVR, so cadets got to experience some of the 3D videos for training organisations such as the emergency services and got up close with a horse with a foal. Very interesting how watching videos in 3D in an immersive way and how this changes the experience. Use of technology in the real world (well, almost real). STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) aligns with the RAF Astra strategy of investing in the future air force.

Surprisingly less cadets than expected due to hols, but had great fun doing team games nonetheless. OC experienced what it's like coming up against 1368 cadets in sports competitions. Cdt F's bundles of energy bossed the fitness stuff.

Alas, AEF were unable to fly on 8 Sept due to weather. Cadets did manage to complete the flight sim PTT (Part Task Trainers) elements of the blue badge though with FS P from 1368 Sqn putting his QAIC to good use, and impressing AEF staff with mention of "stack dumps". +ve at least is that it means when they do fly they'd be able to get their blue aviation wings badge. Cadets did get to go around the RAF Cosford museum as well, so a good day out for some of the air mad cadets.

Well done to Cdt F and Cpl M who both achieved their YFA badges on a Wing-run w/end course in July.  YFA is slightly shorter than the Activity First Aid but eligible for under 16's. There's an ACTO 008 training goal that all cadets achieve YFA within 18 months of joining, so a great achievement for both and a very useful award from St John's Ambulance. 

With summer marking the time when some of our older cadets leave to go to university or traveling the world, it's also a time for bringing up the next generation. Well done to Cdt H and Cdt G for their deserved promotion to Cdt Cpl rank. Consistently setting high personal standards of dress and discipline, they have shown excellent deportment to be an Air Cadet JNCO with personal traits such as self-motivation, resilience, sense of humour, and initiative. Well done. 

Summer holiday parade nights have focused on Wing competition groups. Chance for cadets to pick core subjects of interest including Radio, Band, and STEM-glider project. Most recently we've tried to focus on knowledge transfer of Banner-drill to next generation of cadets/NCOs and getting more Bell Lyre players as band really needs a tune. Also aiming for chance for blue band re-assessments and we have a band competition first-time entry goal.

Great experience for two our our cadets who got to fly an RAF Grob Tutor T1 aircraft today along with 6 from other Squadrons in the Wing. A gloriously sunny day at RAF Cosford. Air Experience Flights (AEFs) give cadets the opportunity to take control of an aircraft for real and experience the g-forces associated with flying and, if they want it and weather conditions are good, some aerobatic manoeuvres. Well done to Cdt F who achieved his Blue Aviation Wings having also done the theory elements and PTT (synthetic flying) earlier in the year, and got to do it for real. More slots to come.

AEF is the abbreviation for Air Experience Flying. A chance for Air Cadets to fly a real aeroplane, usually an RAF Grob Tutor T1.  Air Experience Flight (AEF) pilots are current or former RAF pilots, or experienced commercial pilots who volunteer to pass on their knowledge and enthusiasm for flying to cadets. Many are former cadets themselves. Your first trip will be both exciting and daunting. To qualify (W&B Wing), all of the following criteria must be satisfied: Cadets must be 13 years old or older at the time of the AEF. First time flyers should take priority. Cadets must be enrolled. Cadets must weigh between 28kg – 110 kg clothed. Cadets must have parental consent to fly. All cadets must complete an Av Med 1 medical form downloadable from this SMS application.  What forms/docs to bring? All cadets must bring their 3822 or MyRAFAC app (with photo) with them on the day or they will be unable to fly. TG 23 Health Declaration forms are ALWAYS required if you have medical conditio