The Pocklingtonian 2018/19 | Page 45

CCF// RAF SECTION Nine of our cadets have qualified for their Air Cadet Musician badges and four for the Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award. One of the best features of both the CCF and the ATC is that the cadets themselves lead much of the training, with staff acting as supporters and facilitators. Summer camp is often the highlight of the year for cadets. Last year our section camped at RAF Odiham. On one day alone, cadets shot on the indoor range in the morning, went to MoD Boscombe Down for Air Experience Flying in Grob Tutor aircraft in the afternoon, go-karted after tea and ended the day with the camp highlight - a flight in an RAF Chinook helicopter! This summer our section has been allocated 10 places at RAF Halton from 6 - 13 July. All camps are different but each offers great experiences to the cadets who attend. Cadets can also apply to attend summer camps in Sennelager, Germany and Akrotiri, Cyprus. There is an Aerospace camp at RAF Syerston in August, and Air Cadet Leadership courses throughout the summer at RAF Cranwell. CCF RAF and ATC cadets really do have some fantastic opportunities. I was an ATC cadet myself while at school, and my squadron used INSKIP training centre as their regional HQ. I feel like I have come full circle now that our CCF region also use INSKIP to host the AST competition, as well as the annual Section Commanders’ Conference. I have loved my involvement with the Air Cadet Organisation and have had some fantastic opportunities. It is a pleasure and a privilege to work with the section and I look forward to offering cadets great opportunities for many years to come. The sky really is the limit!” Flt Lt Dare OC RAF Section CCF I joined the CCF RAF section when I first joined Pocklington School and this is my 18th year as an adult RAFAC volunteer. THE POCKLINGTONIAN 43