East Anglia Reserve Forces & Cadets Association

Air Cadets and staff from across the Eastern Sector of Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire Wing have enjoyed a week of activities on an RAF station. 

Twenty nine cadets and six staff from; 104 (City of Cambridge) Squadron, 1094 (Ely) Squadron, 1451 (Haverhill) Squadron, 2417 (Newmarket) Squadron, 2461 (Sawston) Squadron, 2523 (Linton) Squadron and 2524 (Oakington) Squadron spent a fun packed week at RAF Shawbury in Shropshire.

The mission of RAF Shawbury is to ensure that personnel are robust and resilient as well as technically second to none.  The most visible training is conducted by the Defence Helicopter Flying School, training aircrew for all three military services, and the Central Flying School (Helicopter), delivering the next generation of helicopter instructors. The Central Air Traffic Control School, more quietly but with equal energy, deliver the next generation of controllers, prepare those already for operations and train selected individuals as instructors. 

The aim for the week was for cadets to gain an insight into the working role a Royal Air Force station, develop physical fitness and improve leadership and initiative.  Activities included flying, target shooting, field exercises, command tasks, inter flight sports, swimming, section visits, bowling, drill and uniform inspections.  Cadets also visited RAF Cosford to see the work of the Weapons and Survival Equipment Training Flight who train the future armourers and survival equipment fitters of the Royal Air Force, 238 Squadron who train RAF personnel in ground handling and the RAF museum.

One section visit in particular saw cadets visiting the Aircraft Maintenance and Storage Unit which is where aircraft are stored when not required and can quickly be brought to readiness to replace aircraft that are unserviceable at Squadrons around the world.  Cadets were able to see a Hawk aircraft being prepared for service with the world famous Red Arrows display team.

The highlight of the week was cadets flying with 60 Squadron Royal Air Force in their Griffin helicopters, these are used to train pilots and crew who then go on to fly helicopters like the Merlin, Chinook or Sea King.  Cadets went on a thirty minute flight around the local area to the training area at Nesscliffe, cadets were able to experience low level flying, hovering and the thrill of flying with the side doors of the aircraft open. A video of this activity can be seen here.

Cadet Alex Rose from 104 (City of Cambridge) Squadron said “I had a really good week on camp at RAF Shawbury, we worked hard as individuals and as a team to help each other during the week.  Flying in the Griffin helicopter was great fun.”

Flight Lieutenant Keith Hicks, Officer Commanding 2417 (Newmarket) Squadron added “The week has been an outstanding opportunity for young people to have amazing life experiences.  There will not be many people who can say they went helicopter flying during half term.”

Cadets get to experience trips all around the United Kingdom and overseas to destinations such as Cyprus, Germany and Gibraltar.  These are often involve experience living with the military but also include adventure training activities such as skiing, climbing, abseiling and kayaking.  Each year cadets are selected to attend the International Air Cadet Exchange where they can visit locations all around the world.

104 (City of Cambridge) Squadron meet on Monday and Thursday evenings at our headquarters on Newmarket Road.  For more information about joining as either a cadet or member of staff please contact 01223 295324 (Monday and ThursdayEvenings) or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

20th February 2012