CCF// RAF SECTION
RAF
SECTION
It has been another good year for cadets
in the RAF section. Although we are
a relatively small section we still have
an active programme and we are very
fortunate in that we have a very good
relationship with our local AEF, 9AEF
at RAF Linton on Ouse. We are often
allocated 6 flying slots a year. Sadly 2
have been cancelled due to bad weather
but we have flown once a term and
cadets are looking forward to qualifying
for their Blue and Bronze Wings on 21st
June. All RAF section cadets will have
had the opportunity to experience the
thrills of powered flying at least once this
year with some having three flights. We
really appreciate this and we are lucky
to have a local AEF. OC 9AEF, Sqn
Ldr Damon Middleton is particularly
accommodating and very supportive of
our section, trying to set up additional
days flying if we miss slots due to poor
weather, for example.
Having really enjoyed RAF summer
camp last year at RAF High Wycombe
we were initially disappointed when
our camp to Wyton for summer 2017
was cancelled. However, we were
delighted when Head Office Cranwell
40
THE POCKLINGTONIAN
informed us that there was a possibility
of camping at INSKIP. We jumped at
the opportunity and secured 9 places
which we filled despite only having
a small section. Summer camp week
is seen both by cadets and by CCF
RAF staff as being an integral part of
the programme. Highlights of the trip
were visits to 100 Sqn and Reduce to
Replace at RAF Leeming and a visit to
BAE Systems Warton (No22), as well as
trips to Go Ape Tree Top Adventure,
Rivington and Blackpool!
Whilst at BAE Systems Warton, our
cadets made a positive impression there
and upon my return to Pocklington
I was pleased to receive an invitation
from Sqn Ldr Kath Lane to attend
a STEM day at BAE Systems
Samlesbury (number 20) later on in the
summer. Due to it being the summer
holidays only 3 of our cadets were
able to attend but we had a fabulous
day. It was largely an ATC event
but we were delighted to be the only
CCF RAF section there. We were
doubly pleased as one of our cadets,
Cpl Esme Littlewood was picked out
by staff as being the best cadet on the
day, quite an accolade with some 90+
cadets in the room. One of our other
cadets, Cdt James Oxford, presented as
“Managing Director” for his group and
our other cadet, Cdt Josh Toulmin was
in the team that came runners up on
the day.
We are excited to have been allocated
spaces for RAF summer camp at RAF
Odiham where we last camped in 2007.
Cadets will have the opportunity to see
the Chinook helicopter base and gain
a valuable insight into life on an active
RAF base.
One of our cadets, Cdt Rufus Mills
attended the EALT Level 1 and 2