Spalding air cadets enjoy an action-packed return

August was an activity-packed month for Spalding air cadets as they returned to face-to-face activities.

Members of 1406 Squadron Royal Air Force Cadets welcomed South Holland District Council chairman and vice chairman Couns Paul Redgate and Andrew Woolf, who were both very impressed with what the Squadron can offer to the local community.

Six cadets then supported the family day at RAF Syerston, where they were also treated to an air display which included the RAF Red Arrows, Falcons and Typhoon Display Team. The cadets also experienced the landing and take-off of an Army Air Corps Apache.

At the same time Cadet Corporal Moore was attending the 2 Flying Training School National Aerospace Camp and was one of the 155 cadets who got to go gliding and earn their wings.

Nearly 300 cadets came together to enjoy a wide variety of activities covering a huge amount of aerospace topics ranging from air traffic control to gliding and radio and drones. The RAF outreach team and Raytheon team also supported the training programme with STEM activities.

Cdt Cpl Moore said: "During the camp, I had the opportunity to go gliding for the first time and managed to do two launches where I took control on the second and achieved my blue gliding wings.

"Serco gave an engineering talk on the design elements of the Viking that enable it to fly efficiently. The overall experience was amazing, I was extremely happy to get the opportunity to go gliding and as engineering is the career path I’m interested in, the camp gave me a huge insight into the role."

They also celebrated the promotion of the Officer Commanding, Flight Lieutenant Andy Oxby RAFAC. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Flt Lt Oxby has been the Officer in Charge of 1406 Squadron.

He has taken on this role with dedication to help drive the squadron forward. His efforts have ensured that they remained on their feet and open as a squadron, following a difficult 15-month suspension on face-to-face activities.

Flt Lt Oxby continues to make opportunities available to the cadets and even the staff, continually evolving the squadron to ensure that they best represent the Royal Air Force and the Air Training Corps.

1406 (Spalding) Squadron is now recruiting its next intake. If you’re interested in joining full details can be found on their Facebook page @1406ATC or by emailing adj.1406@rafac.mod.gov.uk