104 Squadron's Blog
Open Evening a Great Success!!
Last night we welcomed over thirty potential new cadets to 104 Squadron.
Open Evenings have become a regular part of our calendar as a means of introducing new cadets to the Squadron. The Cadets set up a range of displays of Air Cadet activities and take groups of potential recruits and their families for tours of the Squadron HQ.
Last night we had displays of Band, Duke of Edinburgh Award, Cadet Achievements, Adventure Training, Radio Communications, Fieldcraft and project work.
On Saturday morning (3rd October) we will be holding an Induction Morning from 10:00 to 12:30 to formally introduce new recruits to the Squadron and provide them with the additional information that they will need to become Air Cadets.
For anyone who missed the Open Evening but still wishes to join, please follow the link on our Contact page to email the Squadron or come along on Saturday morning and we can tell you everything you need to know.
01 Oct 2009 Return to top of page
Cadets Enjoy Training Weekend
Following a few months of training as Junior Cadets at 104 Squadron, a number of our cadets spent last weekend at the Squadron Headquarters as they had the chance to put some of their training into practice.
During the two days, the cadets took part in a local navigation exercise that also made good use of their radio communication skills as they reported back to base from several checkpoints along the route. They also completed part of their basic Fieldcraft Training course and, working as a team, undertook some leadership tasks (without falling into the shark-infested custard!!). Sunday morning was spent preparing for their final "passing-out" parade that was held in bright sunny skies in front of a large number of the cadets' family members. Both the Junior Cadets and their NCO/NCO in training leadership team worked really hard to make the weekend a success and a great (if tiring) time was had by all.
29 Sep 2009 Return to top of page
New Blood for 104 Squadron
In the last few weeks we have been joined by a large number of new recruits.
Following our recruitment campaign in February we have been delighted to welcome a new group of cadets into our ranks.
Some twenty teenagers have decided that they would like to become Air Cadets, swelling our numbers to over 70 for the first time in a few years.
In addition, our staff team has grown with four new Civilian Instructors joining the team.
The future for the Squadron is now looking very positive and we are looking forward to a busy Summer period full of great activities.
02 Apr 2009 Return to top of page
Grant to help grow Squadron Band
The Cambridgeshire Community Foundation has provided a Grassroots Grant of £1000 to the Squadron.
We are working to grow our marching band and provide a greater number of instruments so that more cadets can become involved. We are therefore delighted that this grant has been made to help us to reach our target of £3000 to enable us to purchase new Bell Lyres and drums.
A few years ago our band was the best in the Air Training Corps but, with many of our leading members departing over the years we have struggled to maintain that level and need better facilities to help us to grow again for the future.
02 Apr 2009 Return to top of page
Awards Presented to Cadets
104 Squadron Held its Annual Awards Night on Wednesday
An RAF Hercules pilot came to Cambridge Airport to present the trophies to the Cadets during an evening of celebration.
Sqn Ldr O'Brien from RAF Lyneham, herself a former Air Cadet, spoke about her longing for the opportunity to fly as a teenage which led to her joining the Air Training Corps and then the RAF.
The awards presented included the Marshall Challenge Bowl for the Best Cadet on the Squadron which was presented to Flight Sergeant Pepita Barlow who, at the end of this year, will be leaving the Squadron to study at the London School of Exonomics. FS Barlow will be sorely missed from the Squadron but we hope that she may return in a few years to become a member of the Adult Staff of the Squadron.
12 Dec 2008 Return to top of page
NCOs Attend Training Weekend
Most of Cambridge's Cadet NCOs took part in a training weekend at the Squadron.
During the busy weekend the Cadet Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) - The most senior group of our cadets - worked extremely hard as they learnt new skills for training cadets, learnt about and practiced their Leadership skills, built on their already very good team spirit and learnt more about their important role in 104 Squadron.
A key part of the training involved the team finding out how they can take greater ownership of the Squadron building and surrounds. They are now much more aware of how they can improve the Squadron for the benefit of everyone.
The final activity of the weekend was a brief presentation by each of the NCOs, using some of the techniques that they had been shown on the Saturday. All performed very well showing a great improvement in their skills.
04 Dec 2008 Return to top of page
Cambridge Cadets Remember
Over 40 Cadets from 104 Squadron turned out for Remembrance Parades in Cambridge
On Saturday 8th November Air Cadets and Sea Cadets from Cambridge joined veterans and members of the Burma Star Association and Royal British Legion to remember those who had lost their lives in the Far East during the Second World War.
In a short service amongst the war graves in the Cambridge City Cemetery the assembled party observed a two minute silence and laid wreaths. Last Post was played by Corporal James Good of 104 Squadron.
On Sunday we have an almost full turn-out for the main City Remembrance Parade in Station Road. During a moving service led by Revd Jonathan Knights, poems and other poignant texts were read by members of the cadet forces before the act of remembrance - Cpl Good again providing the Last Post.
The parade finished with a march past with the assembled TA and Cadet Force Squads saluting the War Memorial and then the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire before being dismissed and dispersing.
17 Nov 2008 Return to top of page