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Summer Camp in Kent for Dunstable Air Cadets Twenty-nine cadets last week travelled from Dunstable to St. Martin’s Plain camp, near Folkestone, Kent for their annual summer camp. This year they were joined by two of Dunstable’s Sea Cadets and four Air Cadets and Flt. Lt. Andy Mason, from 2430 (Holbeach) Squadron. 460 (Dunstable) Squadron’s 23 cadets were accompanied by their Commanding Officer Flt. Lt. Michael Bell and eight staff. Travelling in convoy with three minibuses, a crew-cab and two land rovers, they arrived early Saturday afternoon, and after the cadets enjoyed a packed lunch they embarked on a variety of obstacle exercises during the afternoon and early evening. The camp provided hearty meals each morning, mid-day and evening for the cadets and staff, who slept in comfortable accommodation on site. After Sunday’s usual 7.00am breakfast all cadets headed for the camp’s training area to practice fieldcraft exercises including applying camouflage paints to each other’s faces, cooking military ration packs (known as “rat” packs), bivouac and tent building and first aid. Monday saw the cadets completing further field exercises in the training area, including mock road casualties to put their first aid training into practice. Tuesday’s full day treat was a visit to Dover Castle and the castle’s secret underground tunnels, and later the cadets completed the evening with a visit to the local swimming baths. The week’s camp focused on a mid-week night exercise which started at mid-day on Wednesday with the cadets having been divided on arrival into two “flights” and setting up camp in two locations at a MOD training area approximately 10 miles from their Folkestone base, and lasted through to mid-day on Thursday with a break in the middle where the cadet were taken back to St Martins plain over night to sleep. All cadets were issued with 24 hour “rat” packs, and were able to put into practice their earlier camouflaging, cooking and survival skills. Friday saw a visit to the local firing range at Hythe where the cadets were able to hone their shooting skills on the 25 metre range, and later on the more challenging 200m and 300m ranges under the watchful eye of the qualified range conducting officers for the day. All the cadets relaxed most evenings in their own “social area” before “lights out”. Cadet Newton summed up the collective thoughts of the cadets on Saturday morning as we prepared for our return when he said: “It’s my first visit to Summer Camp and I’ve really had a fantastic time. The shooting was cool, and the night exercise was brilliant – it was great to be cooking with my friends in the dark! I loved going swimming and the castle tunnels were great. It’s always sad to be going home” The squadron’s Commanding Officer, Flt. Lt. Mick Bell had nothing but praise for the cadets and staff. He said: “The cadets worked really hard during the week and were a credit to our squadron and the Air Cadet Organisation, also a big thank you to the squadron’s staff for their continuous hard work and dedication which meant that the cadets were kept busy for the entire week. All in all a great camp for everyone involved.” Before departure the Commanding Officer awarded a Best Cadet certificate to Cadet Rosier and winning “flight” was flight A led by Flt Sgt Marr. Dunstable Squadron are currently recruiting so, if you are aged between 13 and 16 years of age with a sense of adventure why not contact Flt Lt Mick Bell on 01234 307776 or at atc460sqn@yahoo.co.uk, visit our web site at www.dunstable-aircadets.org or visit the Squadron any Monday or Thursday evening. CI Stephen EagletonMedia Communications Officer - 460 Squadron
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