The beginning of October brings the end of the third term and an important transitional phase for No. 27 (Blenheim) Squadron. With the loss of one of our officers the staff and NCOs have had to step up and perform, and none more so than the new Cadet Unit Commander, Flying Officer Lamb. Unfortunately there has been difficulty in executing all the activities that would normally have occurred, but Exercise FRIGID MERMAID went ahead very successfully, with the weather co-operating on the weekend and the facilities proving more than acceptable. All who attended were given plentiful hands-on time with the radios, and should now be reasonably familiar with basic RATEL.
In the classroom this term there was a focus on drill and bushcraft, and in the last two weeks as part of Cadet Forces’ community service obligations No. 27 SQN did door-to-door collections in Renwick for the Arthritis Society. Thank you to those Cadets who attended this, and the Battle of Britain Day commemoration at the Combined Clubs. Unfortunately Exercise Hayfever had to be cancelled due to lack of staff availability, but a long bushcraft-oriented camp is being planned later this month to compensate, which will provide the practical counterpart to classroom bushcraft theory.
Term 4 sees the focus moving to Aviation Studies, concluding in the annual unit flying day in December, where Cadets get the chance to experience some hands-on familiarisation with light aircraft. The Squadron was able to conduct some recruiting at Marlborough Girls’ College recently, and three Cadets have been accepted on the National Aviation Course in Power Flying.
Have a good break and we look forward to seeing you all next term!
