The 209 (West Bridgford) Squadron ended 2011 with a relaxed but exciting training programme. Air Cadets from 209 and two other squadrons came together for a weekend of festive fieldcraft at the John’s Lee Wood campsite in Leicestershire. The cadets assembled at the campsite on the Friday evening ready for an early start on Saturday morning. With no other users on the site, they had full run of the area for the various activities, and on the Saturday evening a disco was held
On Sunday morning, while the cadets were outside in the bracing weather working up an appetite, some of the instructors were working up a Christmas dinner. At 2 o’clock, all 40 meals were ready and Flight Lieutenant Richards of 209 Squadron led the way asofficers and staff on the camp served the cadets. Among party poppers, paper hats and ‘funny’ Christmas cracker jokes, the meal was thoroughly enjoyed.
Flt Lt S Richards said: “The Christmas Camp provided local squadrons with the opportunity to join forces and participate in adventurous activities, including leadership tasks and camouflage and concealment, which the cadets and staff enjoyed immensely.”
Cadet Matthew Quayle (14) added: “It was really good and I especially enjoyed the fieldcraft on Sunday. Having Christmas dinner at the end of the weekend was a great way to finish the camp.  It definitely made a nice change to be served by the CO!”
Other activities in December included an evening ice skating and the last Squadron night before Christmas was a party organised by the cadets. The 209 Squadron now has a Facebook page called ‘209 West Bridgford Sqn’, which has all the activities the Squadron has organised over the last year. Anyone over the age of 13 who is interested in joining the group can visit their website for more information at 209atc.co.uk.

Air Cadets from 209 (West Bridgford) have been learning the ropes at the Nottingham Climbing Centre. Fourteen cadets and a couple of the younger staff members spent an evening at the centre getting to grips with the various climbing walls. The cadets were split into two groups and each taken through the basics by a qualified instructor. They were shown how to put on a harness, tie safely into a rope and how to belay. Each cadet climbing a wall had another cadet holding on to a safety line so team work was essential. The centre is built in
a converted swimming pool and has numerous climbing walls from gently inclined walls for beginners to overhanging walls for the more experienced.
Sergeant ATC Jade Brock, who organised the trip, said: “I started to learn indoor rock climbing five years ago and I thought this would be something different for the cadets to do.”
Cadet Laura Toplass (13) added: “We were shown how to tie ropes and climb safely. My favourite part was just going a bit more adventurous each climb. At the end of the evening, the instructor allowed us to do some free climbing without a rope. It was exciting because without a rope I really had to think about my next move.”
For more information on the 209 (West Bridgford) Squadron visit the website 209atc.co.uk.

By Richard Vincett
Six air cadets from 209 (West Bridgford) Squadron were among 36 cadets from the East Midlands who took part in a week-long camp at RAF Valley on Anglesey, Wales. The cadets had a busy training programme, which included on and off-base activities.
Off base, the cadets went orienteering and visited the Snowdonia Tree Top Adventure Centre. They went on a high-ropes course where they had to negotiate over 30 obstacles, including balancing beams, zip wires and rope bridges. The course started at 10 feet off the ground but rose to 50 feet at the end. The only way down was on a parachute simulator.
Some lucky cadets were able to ‘fly’ in a Hawk simulator. At the end of the week, 16 cadets were selected to go flying in a search and rescue Sea King helicopter. Four of these places went to 209 Cadets, who all thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
As well as all this, the cadets also played softball on the beach, went bowling, had a beach BBQ and spent an afternoon go-karting

By Richard Vincett
Nine Air Cadets from 209 (West Bridgford) Squadron recently spent the day with the US Air Force at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk. The day started at the base’s fire department where tech sergeant Derflinger gave a guided tour around the fire engines and equipment, enthusiastically explaining everything in his Tennessee drawl. He put on a demonstration with a fire engine that could shoot 1,000 gallons of water over 175 feet in a minute.
The next stop was the armoury where the cadets were shown the rifles and machine guns that are issued to American airmen.  The cadets were then taken to a hanger where a crew chief from the 492nd Fighter Squadron showed them around a F15E Strike Eagle. This particular F15 was displaying mission symbols from the recent operations over Libya.  The tour ended with the cadets watching the retreat ceremony, where the base comes to a standstill as the national flags are lowered.
For the first time in many years the squadron took part in a road march.  A dozen cadets completed the 15km international Waendel Walk held last month in Northamptonshire. The walk is named after a local Saxon warlord and follows a route through the Northamptonshire countryside. The 209 cadets had an early start at 9.30am and completed the walk by 1.30pm. They all received a Waendel Walk medal for completing the course.
Cadet Lydia Welham (15), who attends South Wolds School, said: “The best bit was that we sang all the way. The worst bit was when we thought we’d reached the last check point only to discover there was still one to go. Getting the medal at the end was great and we’ll be back next year for the two-day walk.”
For more information on the 209 Squadron visit their website 209atc.co.uk

A new cadet has joined the training team at 209 (West Bridgford) Squadron. Cadet warrant officer, Jade Brock (19), has joined from 1360 (Stapleford) Squadron. Jade has been a cadet for over five years and the highlight of her cadet career was when she took part in the Cadet 150 Parade in the Mall in London to celebrate 150 years of the cadet forces.
After the parade she attended a very special garden party at Buckingham Palace where she met Prince Philip. Jade is taking on the roll of training officer and will be responsible for all aspects of the cadet training programme. Jade said she was very excited about the challenge.
Flying officer Steve Richards, OC of 209 Squadron, told The Local News: “Jade brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the squadron and we welcome her to the team.”
The 209 Squadron has a busy year ahead with flying, gliding and shooting days throughout the year. In May, they will take part in a week-long multi-activity green camp, and in August spend a week at RAF Valley in Wales. The Squadron is also organising weekend camps for adventure training and to support our Duke of Edinburgh Award programme.
Anyone over the age of 13 interested in joining 209 Squadron can telephone on parade nights of Monday and Thursday from 7pm until 9pm on 0115 969 6434. You can visit them at 110 Wilford Lane or see the website 209atc.co.uk.

Nine air cadets from 209 (West Bridgford) Squadron joined over 20 cadets from 1936 (Newton) and 504 (West Nottingham) Squadrons, to enjoy a Christmas Camp at Walesby Forest Camp site the weekend before Christmas.Despite having a traditional Fam-ex start to the camp, the weekend was aimed more at rewarding a year’s effort from the cadets. This was reflected in Saturday’s activities, which started at the Water Meadows swimming pool in Mansfield.  In the afternoon, the cadets were challenged with an initiative exercise to either collect various items or achieve certain goals.  One of these was to photograph an expensive car. The result was a close-run between a Lamborghini and a Bentley.
The cadets then had to make a presentation Saturday evening about their exercise, Then keeping with the Christmas theme, each Flight of Cadets had to present their own version of the nativity, which was judged by an X-Factor style panel. After the presentations a disco was enjoyed by all.
Sunday was spent outside in Walesby’s week-old snow. Each Flight had a cas-e-vac exercise, a turn in the camp’s cave maze and had a go at archery.
The camp culminated with a traditional Christmas dinner cooked by the four officers present.  The Camp Commandant, OC 1936 Sqn Flt Lt Jodi Hudson, gave a speech at the end of the dinner and said: “It’s been great to see the three squadrons come together so well. This had been a spectacular end to the year for all three.”
Cadet Navraj Boughan (14) of 209 Sqn added: “This was my first air cadet camp. The Fam-ex on the first night was my favourite activity and I really enjoyed meeting cadets from the other squadrons.”
Anyone over the age of 13 interested in joining 209 Squadron can telephone them on their parade nights of Monday and Thursday between 7pm and 9pm on 0115 969 6434, or can visit 209 Squadron HQ on 110 Wilford Lane. Their website is 209atc.co.uk.

Air Cadets from 209 (West Bridgford) Squadron spent a recent Saturday raising funds. Fourteen cadets helped customers at West Bridgford’s Asda pack their shopping bags. It was a busy day for the cadets as  many people were doing their weekly shop. After six hours of packing they had managed to raise £719.
Jill Tring, chair of 209’s Civilian Committee, said: “A big thank you to the customers of ASDA West Bridgford for their donations at a bag packing event. This was a wonderful amount and these funds will go towards the
209 Squadron subsidising sports, adventure training, functions, and provide equipment for Duke of Edinburgh Awards.”
The 209 Squadron entered two teams into the Nottinghamshire County Council ‘Shadow 2010’ event.  Shadow, which is in its 36th year, is an overnight navigation and initiative test run in Sherwood Forest.  Its requirements are a sense of adventure and a willingness to pit yourself against the elements.
A total of 80 teams took part.  Corporal Michael Disney’s ‘Barons’ team finished 35th and Sergeant George Kirkham’s ‘Might and Main’ team came 30th.
Sgt Kirkham said: “The competition took seven hours in total and we had to complete nine tasks ranging from initiative exercises to dressing up as different professions.
“My team saw it through with steadfast dedication and were still full of energy and enthusiasm when we finished at 5am.”
Anyone over the age of 13 interested in joining 209 Squadron can telephone the group on their Parade Nights of Monday and Thursday between 7pm and 9pm on 0115 969 6434. You can also pay them a visit to 209 Squadron HQ on 110 Wilford Lane in West Bridgford, or for more details visit 209atc.co.uk.