104 Squadron's Blog
104 Squadron Cadets on Summer Camp
A group of Cadets and Staff are at RAF Shawbury this week.
Shawbury is the home of the Defence Helicopter Training School and so is constantly buzzing with Squirrels and Griffons - Some of which have, this week contained our cadets!!
In addition, they have been flying at RAF Cosford (8 AEF) and visited the RAF Museum there. The new Cold War exhibition there is a fantastic addition and well worth a visit for cadets in training for their First Class or Leading training awards.
Later today (Wednesday) we will all travel to Wrekin Hill for an evening exercise called Wrekin Havoc which sounds like great fun.
Some cadets have been given the opportunity to do some restoration work on a Horsa Glider that is being built from the original plans, although it will never fly.
Throughout the week the two cadet flights have been working on their drill routine in readiness for the competition on Friday. They have been assisted in this by two members of the RAF Regiment from Shawbury. On Friday afternoon the Station Commander will join us for the final parade and award presentations.
23 Jul 2008 Return to top of page
Cadets Prepare for Gold D of E
A group of 10 from Cambridge and Biggleswade have just completed their practice expedition.
During four miserable days in early July (the heart of the British summer), two teams of 5 from the two squadrons travelled to Yorkshire to undertake a practice expedition in preparation for their final expedition in the Lake District in August.
In typical fashion, spirits were high throughout the expedition and simply couldn't be dampened by the horrible weather conditions. Although feet got wet and everything got muddy, the teams completed the practice walk in good time and are now looking forward to their actual expedition over four days at the end of the summer.
16 Jul 2008 Return to top of page
Wing Adventure Training Weekend
104 Squadron Cadets competed in defence of the Wing Field Day Trophy at RAF Wyton at the weekend.
During a long weekend at RAF Wyton, a team of cadets from 104 Squadron battled against the other 28 Squadrons in the Beds & Cambs Wing Adventure Training Weekend.
Comprised of some 16 varied events from Drill to First Aid, Aircraft Recognition to Orienteering, WATW is the highlight of the year for many cadets around the Wing. Not only is the whole event hugely fun and challenging for the cadets but they also get to meet up with friends from across the Wing during the off-duty periods.
In the Drill Competition, in spite of having had difficulty in getting the whole team together for a practice, the team of 13 cadets managed to put in an impressive performance and come away in second place for the second successive year - just pipped to the post by 134 (Bedford) Squadron who have won the trophy for the last 5 years!! What will it take to beat them?!?!?
On Saturday the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight diverted en-route to the Queen's Birthday Parade to make a low pass over RAF Wyton. On Sunday we were delighted by our very own display by the BBMF Lancaster which made three low passes over the Cadets' campsite as the events drew to a close.
With the results just out [18 Jun] we see that we came 6th out of the 28 Squadron teams taking part - This is a fantastic result from a quite inexperienced team and testament to a lot of hard work put into the preparation. On another note, "Stuck Like Glue", the exercise run by 104 Squadron staff was voted the best exercise by the cadets.
Well done to all who worked very hard to make WATW08 a fantastic weekend!!
17 Jun 2008 Return to top of page
Cambridge Cadets Meet an Astronaut - And get on TV!!
On Wednesday, Cadets from 104 Squadron enjoyed an evening's flying at Cambridge Airport and spent the evening chatting with NASA Astronaut Dr Michael Foale.
The flying was organised by the Squadron with Cambridge Aeroclub using their Cessna 172 and Extra 200 aircraft. Michael Foale, who was visiting family and friends in Cambridge with his wife and children, was delighted that this visit coincided with our planned flying evening and chatted with our cadets about his experiences both as an astronaut (and cosmonaut) and his time as an Air Cadet.
Michael Foale has spent more time in space than any other American astronaut. His time in space has been divided between Space Shuttle, International Space Station, Mir (the now defunct Russian space station) and Soyuz launches from Kazakstan.
He grew up in Cambridge and took his first steps towards an aviation career with the Air Cadets whilst at school. Being of dual nationality (UK/US) he qualified for employment at NASA and started his distinguished space career.
A total of twenty-four cadets and two staff from 104 Squadron took to the air on Wednesday - For many it was their first flight, for other's their first flight in a light (4 seat) aircraft and certainly the first chance that most had ad to see their homes or schools from the air.
13 Jun 2008 Return to top of page
104 Squadron Supports TA100 Celebrations
On Sunday Cadets and Staff from Cambridge were on parade in Ely for the 100th Anniversary commemorations in the presence of the Duke of Gloucester.
They joined Squadrons from across the North and East of the Beds & Cambs Wing to form one of the largest contingents on the Parade.
We were very proud to support the Territorial Army as they marked their centenary both in the service in the Cathedral and out on the parade on streets outside where the Duke of Gloucester took the salute supported by the Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire and a number of high-ranking military officers.
It was also a great opportunity for the Air Cadets to be seen on a very public occasion - great for recruiting both cadets and staff. Anyone interested in joining should get in touch - See the Contact page of our website.
10 Jun 2008 Return to top of page
New Cadets Welcomed
On Wednesday 4th June eight potential new cadets visited 104 Squadron.
Having opened our doors to new cadets this Wednesday we were pleased to welcome eight young people and their families to the Squadron to have a look around and hopefully join us as Air Cadets.
As members of the Air Cadet Organisation these young people from the Cambridge area will have the opportunity to take part in a wide range of activities from Flying and Gliding to Adventure Training, Sports, Band and the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.
They will become members of a team of young people with a common goal and learn new skills that will help them in their future careers - whatever they chose to do. If they stay as cadets for at least three years they may also qualify for a BTEC Diploma in Aviation Studies, Public Services or Musicianship - All of which are equivalent to GCSEs at C to A* level.
06 Jun 2008 Return to top of page
104 Squadron Visits RAF Coningsby
During the Half-Term week a group of cadets and staff visited RAF Coningsby for the day to see the Old and New of the RAF.
The day started with a tour of the historic Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. The guide used his encyclopaedic knowledge of the BBMF's aircraft to give a very interesting insight into the history and importance of the flight's operations and aircraft.
There followed a visit to 29(R) Squadron's Typhoon aircraft that are used to train the pilots who will eventually fly the Typhoon on one of the front-line Squadrons. This was our first opportunity to get "up-close and personal" with this latest addition to the RAF's fleet of aircraft.
It is quite possible that one or more of our cadets will, in the future, take to the skies in a Typhoon as they go into service as RAF pilots. Certainly a number were inspired by this part of the visit.
Following lunch, the final part of our visit was to 41(R) Squadron, whose role is to test new weapons and systems for the current RAF front-line aircraft, the Tornado GR4 and Harrier GR7. We were treated to an unexpected visit by the Wing Commander in charge of 41(R) Squadron who spoke to the cadets about his experiences and answered a number of questions about the RAF and its roles and aircraft.
All together an excellent day was had by all and this is certainly something we will try to arrange again in the future.
31 May 2008 Return to top of page