EASTER CAMP - RAF HALTON

Easter Camp 2005 was held at Royal Air Force Halton. RAF Halton is located between the Vale of Aylesbury and the Chiltern Hills in Buckinghamshire. It was established during the First World War having been donated to the RAF by the Rothschild family. Today the airfield itself is used mainly for glider and micro-light training. The station is also the first point of call for new recruits entering as airmen and women into the Royal Air Force. It is the training station for basic trades for suppliers, catering, police and administrators. It  also provides initial specialist training for caterers, administrators and provost officers along with many specialist and further training courses.

During their stay at the camp the cadets undertook numerous activities including Section visits to the Catering school, the Fire Section and the Dog Section. Some sections were kind enough to give a days work experience to cadets specifically interested in their trade. The below photos show the visit to the Police Dog Section during which the cadets were shown the reason for tracking with the dog in a harness and a practical demonstration in hostile crowd control. Flt Lt Corfield was given some running practice with the dog in hot pursuit much to the delight of the cadets.

Cadets made use of the local woods to brush up on their map reading skills as part of an orienteering competition. The six sub flights had to navigate to a number of set points. A staff team brought up the rear to sweep up any lost teams.

Each eligible cadet was able to go air experience flying in Tutor aircraft from 6 AEF at RAF Benson, while the prospective pilots in waiting also check the layout of VC10s during a visit to Royal Air Force Brize Norton.

Each cadet was also able to shoot Mk8 .22 or L98 full bore rifles  following mandatory dry training to ensure the cadets are competent to handle the respective weapons. There were several range qualified staff to coach the cadets. During the full day all the cadets received a number of practices at the conclusion of which several cadets shot to Squadron and Regional Marksman standards.

Further section visits included tours around Aircraft Engineering and MOATS allowing cadets to gain an insight into maintenance of Puma helicopters, preparing a Land Rover and trailer for lifting by helicopter and Safety Equipment.

Cadets also visited the RAF Museum at Hendon and RAF Uxbridge to learn about the role of the RAF during the Second World War and the history of flight.

There was no rest after the visit to the museum and RAF Uxbridge night exercise was waiting for the cadets. They were given field craft skills lessons by the RAF Regiment before participating in a night exercise in which teams had to avoid the Regiment while trying to complete tasks.

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