Growing Success for Steyning Air Cadets
The Air Cadet Squadron in Steyning has been going from strength to strength over the last year. Both cadet and staff numbers have increased and this has lead to an increase in cadet activities and achievements.
A former cadet at 1140 (Steyning) Squadron, Flt Lt Dave Emsley took over the squadron in June last year and has been working hard to strengthen it.
Cadets have the opportunity to do a vast array of challenging and exciting activities. These include flying and gliding, adventurous training and camps, shooting, competitive sports, drill, music, abseiling and many more.
In the last year cadets from Steyning cadets have;
• Flown in RAF training aircraft, performed aerobatics and flown in a RAF Chinook helicopter.
• Camped at RAF Boulmer where cadets experienced life in the Air Force.
• Helped run Shoreham Air Show.
• Competed in target shooting and been shooting regularly.
• Been rock climbing and abseiling locally and at a National Adventure Training Centre in Wales where activities also included hill walking, kayaking and coasteering.
• Learnt to scuba dive and gained PADI Open Water and Advance Open Water qualifications.
• Met with WW2 veterans and helped raise funds for the Bomber Command Memorial in London.• Completed leadership courses that will soon be nationally accredited and completed St John and British Heart Foundation First Aid courses.
• Sumo wrestled at the Christmas Party.
Cadets also study aviation subjects that lead them to achieve BTECs worth 3 GCSEs and also BTECs in Public Services and Music. As one of the largest operators of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme, Air Cadets undertake expeditions. Steyning cadets have just returned from a weekend of expedition training.
Cadet Grant Pullen recently won 2 Golds at the Sussex Wing Athletics competition and on Sunday went onto represent the Wing against the other 5 Wings in London and South East Region (LaSER). After again winning the 1500m, he will now represent LaSER against the other 5 regions at the national competition.
Flt Lt Emsley said, “There are more exciting activities planned. We have cadets going on more camps this year at RAF Stations in Scotland and Forces bases in Germany. We also have a visit planned to the Royal International Air Tattoo air show, survival training and more expeditions. If you want an organisation where you can make friends, learn new skills, develop your potential and have fun, come and see what we have to offer.”
Steyning Squadron parade Tuesday and Thursday nights, 7.30pm till 9.30pm at the Cadet Centre on Shooting Field. Please phone 01903 813113 or email oc.1140@aircadets.org for further details.
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