First Shoot of 2011

Shooting is a widely enjoyed cadet activity, the turn out at 2011's first shooting day proved this. Over 80 cadets, some barely awake, but all brimming with enthusiasm, arrived at RAF Halton at 0730.

Once all the preparations had been made, which took some time, 40 plus cadets gained a WHT (Weapons Handling Test) qualification on the No.8 rifle; including myself, Cpl Shamshudin and Cdt Muchhala. This is exceptionally good news for 2204 as we begin preparations for the Wing Ex.

Immediately, after passing our tests we were split into details and sent towards the range. We all achieved fairly tight groupings and I was close to scoring enough for another Wing Marksmanship badge. Unfortunately, the day ended rather soon due to new shooting regulations, so by 1200 the cadets had packed up and headed for home.

Cpl Smart

Longmoor 2011 Selection begins.

Longmoor is considered by many cadets as the highlight of the Wing Calendar. It represents an opportunity to compete against the other 29 Sqns in the wing in a wide variety of Greens events. The 27-30th of May will see more than 300 Cadets and about 100 members of Staff take part in three days of Mentally and Physically challenging events. Including:

• Mirco Navigation
• Log Run
• First Aid
• Command Tasks
• Shooting (L98A2 and .22)
• Ropes Exercise
• Orienteering
• Speed March
• More Shooting
• and the Longmoor Assault Course.

Cadets will be assessed on their; Physical Strength and Stamina, Ability to work as a team, and commitment to the Sqn as a whole.


Nine Cadets and myself will compete and hopefully do even better than last year. The team (and two backup cadets) will be announced before the end of February.


CWO Yates

Designs for new Tactical Recognition Flash

Last year to mark the official renaming of 2204 Sqn (from Chesham to Chesham & Amersham), CI Rob Clarke and CWO Yates set out to produce a new Sqn badge, one that would represent both Chesham and Amersham. The final result can be seen in the top right corner of the blog. It encompasses a Chess Board (Chesham) and a Dragon (similar to the one of the coat of arms for Amersham)

It was recently that the Sqn should also design a TRF, allowing 2204's cadets to be recognised straight away.

The current designs are shown below.

 

The final decision will be made jointly by the Cadets, Staff and Civilian Committee. As new designs appear they will be uploaded to the blog.

2204 Flight Scheme finally gets off the ground.

After many months of struggling to get 2204's Flight scheme working efficiently I have finally managed it, with the help of Cpl Smart and Cpl Fowler. The points system takes into account all of the activities that cadets take part in, from earning Marksman Badges to turning up in the correct uniform on parade nights. January's competition was a close one, with only three points separating the two flights. A. Flight (lead by Sgt Yates)  finished the month with 349 points, B. Flight (lead by Sgt Sergeant) managed to squeeze ahead to claim victory with 352 points.

Sgt Yates also wins the award for Cadet of the month scoring 48 points.

I look forward to next months competition and hope it's as close as this one. This month we will see the cadets compete in more categories. As well as the normal points awarded for each month, February will see two, one night, Inter-Flight competitions take place.

The first is a Leadership Exercise, codenamed "Fragile, this way up" it will assess the Flights ability to work quickly and efficiently as a team.

The second is a test of the skills the Cadets learn while working on their projects. This competition includes:

• The RC Helicopter Assault Course
• An InterFlight Flying Display, using the Sqns (New) Flight Simulator (article to follow soon)
• Aircraft Recognition
• General Knowledge, Current Affairs and RAF quiz.
• InterFlight Art, Photography and Blog competition. With points awarded for the Best three Art pieces, Photographs and Blogs. 
• Round the Pole
• Drill Displays
• and a Uniform Inspection.

CWO Josh Yates.