BASSINGBOURN ROCK IN GIBRALTAR
Two cadets have just returned from an amazing week long trip to the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. Cadet Warrant Officer Sam Pink and Sergeant Ben Johnson joined cadets from across Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire Wing along with colleagues from Central and East Region for the trip.
During their visit to Gibraltar, otherwise known as ‘the rock’, the two SNCOs visited various facilities, including the airport fire section, bomb disposal and the harbour, alongside more historic features like St Michaels Caves and the Barbary Macaques, the only wild monkeys found in Europe. The cadets also tried their hand at caving and despite the 28 degree temperature, also went ice skating!
Whilst in Gibraltar the group also had the opportunity to work with cadets of No.2 (Overseas) Squadron.
CWO Pink and Sergeant Johnson underneath ‘the rock’
PADDLE POWER
Over the last few months, cadets from the Squadron have been taking to the water to learn and develop their canoeing and kayaking skills.
Led by Sergeant Richard Springall ATC, the cadets have most taken part in a trip along the River Ouse in traditional Canadian canoes, also gaining British Canoe Union star awards in kayaks during that time. Three cadets have achieved a BCU Two Star Award, with the same number gaining a One Star Award.
These are the final trips of what has been a busy year for the 2484 canoe and kayaking team, with cadets attending both Wing and Squadron run events along with three river trips. Alongside the cadets, many of the Squadron Staff have also taken to the water, with service instructor WO2 Tom Kerr from ATR Bassingbourn having a paddle on the latest two day river trip.
Cadets Ben Jones and Ross Kerr show the fun that can be had in a canoe!
BASSINGBOURN BRING HOME THE SILVERWARE
A team of 15 cadets from 2484 (Bassingbourn) Squadron made a real splash at the recent Beds and Cambs Wing swimming competition, beating the 28 other Squadrons from across the Wing to win the overall trophy.
There were many great individual performances on the evening with members of the team either winning or finishing in the top three of their events, resulting in the Squadron winning the overall competition with 72 points. The team beat their nearest rivals, runners-up 1406 (Spalding) Squadron, by a massive 26 points; in third place were 1003 (Leighton Buzzard) Squadron with 43 points. The overall success was achieved by all of the cadets who swam putting in maximum event in their heats and finals to ensure that valuable points were gained.
The Squadron’s charge to victory was led by Cadet Warrant Officer Samantha Pink (Team Captain) who won a gold and two silver medals in the Senior Girls category, swimming in the butterfly, freestyle and individual medley races. This resulted in the Squadron winning the Senior Girls category of the competition.
The Junior Girls team also brought back the trophy to Bassingbourn, having won this category last year. A bronze medal was awarded to Cadet Evie Kyprianou for breast stroke, with Cadet Katherine Hanley winning gold in her freestyle race and Cadet Charlotte Johnson achieving two gold medals for butterfly and individual medley.
Cadet Charlotte Johnson receives the Junior Girls Trophy from Wing Commander Paul Bower, Beds and Cambs Wing Commander.
In the Junior Boys category, silver was won by Cadet George Spence in the backstroke and Corporal Luke Webb took home gold in the freestyle.
The Squadron medal winners pose with the Beds and Cambs Wing Swimming Trophy
Success was also achieved by the Senior Boys Team with Sergeant Ben Johnson winning silver in the butterfly and individual medley and Sergeant Dale Webb charging home to win gold in the freestyle.
CADETS REACH THE TOP
Six cadets from the Squadron have achieved the pinnacle of Air Cadet training by gaining their Staff Cadet classification.
The cadets have studied various subjects ranging from Basic Navigation and Airmanship to Advanced Radio and RADAR and Satellite Communications. Whilst doing this the cadets have also gained their BTEC in aviation studies, an award which is the equivalent to 2 GCSEs at grade C and above.
The cadets were Cadet Flight Sergeant Phillip Dymoke-Grainger, Cadet Flight Sergeant Katie McArthur (absent for photograph), Cadet Flight Sergeant Tom Pigott, Cadet Flight Sergeant Rupert Sage, Cadet Flight Sergeant Nikki Spong and Sergeant Ben Johnson.
The cadets found out they had completed their training following an interview with sector staff officer Squadron Leader Paul Thomson-Clark. These cadets will now play a key role in Squadron management and training especially with Squadron numbers continuing to swell.
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The new staff Cadets proudly display their lanyards
AIR CADET ON CLOUD NINE
A cadet from the Squadron is on cloud 9 after flying solo in a glider following a gliding scholarship. Cadet Sergeant Ben Johnson has been learning to fly the Vigilant motor glider at RAF Henlow, giving up his spare time to attend 616 Volunteer Gliding Squadron.
Sergeant Johnson has amassed eight hours of flight training on the aircraft learning such skills as the primary and secondary effects of aircraft controls and rules of the air. Sergeant Johnson has had to demonstrate the ability to control the aircraft in straight and turning flight, take off, complete a circuit of the airfield and land.
After completing the course to solo standard Sgt Johnson is now entitled to wear the silver Gliding Scholarship wings on his uniform.
This makes Ben the third cadet from the Squadron to solo and the sixth to gain their Gliding Scholarship wings in the last 12 months. Alongside this numerous cadets have attended Gliding Induction Courses, Air Experience Flying and Air Experience Gliding.
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