ACO League Air Rifle Competition Round 1

I have received the results of our scoring position against all other squadron taking part in this competition.

A total of 33 teams (99 cadets) are taking part of which our squadron has 2 teams (6 cadets). The scores are issued for each team and also for each individual cadet.

After round 1 2393 Team A is positioned 14th (1367 points) and 2393 Team B is positioned 23rd (1225 points).

The team that came first was 96 (Dewsbury) squadron with 1622 points. The team that came last was 2476 (Hutton) squadron with 736 points... I tried not to laugh but couldn't help it :-)

Individual positions are as follows:

Moore - 34th
Sgt Longman - 44th
Deacon. T - 51st
Wilby - 62nd
Deacon. A - 69th
Thorne - 70th

In all we are well positioned in the middle of the table and have 4 more rounds to go. Best of luck for round 2, which should be conducted by Mr LaRoche in my absence and I look forward to hearing the results once I'm back in February.

R Davis
SGT (ATC)
Adjutant 2393 Squadron

                                                OITWO CAMPS ON OFFER9S

Essex Wing are on standby to fill any empty places for the Gibraltar Camps details are

Camp 1 - 1 – 8 Apr 13

Camp 2 - 1 – 8 Aug 13

Camp 3 - 8 – 15 Aug 13

Camp 4 - 15 – 22 Aug 13

Camp 5 - 22 – 29 Aug 13

There may also be an Autumn Camp.

The cost of the air fare and ATC insurance will be £260 with a recommendation that cadets take £120 to pay for messing and activities etc, €20 to spend when they are on the visit to Spain and whatever spending money they feel they need whilst in Gibraltar. 

Interest to Mr Kent as soon as possible

Windemere Adventure Training week 25th May to 1st June 2013 inclusive.

Location National Air Cadet Adventure Training Centre Windermere (NACATC) during

the week 25th May to 1st June 2013 inclusive.

This course fulfils one element towards the Diploma in Public services.

The programmed activities include Expedition and DEA training, abseiling, rock-climbing,

canoeing, mountain cycling, leadership development for some and consolidation of basic

navigation skills learnt as part of the BTEC award which all cadets should be working

towards. The course aims to improve the development of personal skills, and promotes

character building and teamwork. Travel is by coach and the fully inclusive cost of the

course is expected to be £120.

 Eligibility: Cadets must be enrolled and physically fit to take a full and active part in the activities

Those cadets interested speak to Mr Pether as soon as possible

Staff First Aid Training Day

All squadron staff attended a first aid refresher training day today. We all passed the emergency first aid at work course a year ago and in keeping with good practice had a one day refresher in order to keep our knowledge current.

We went into quite some depth covering not only the basics of CPR, bandaging, burns and treating sock but also advanced subjects such as treating gunshot wounds, knife / stabbing injuries, casualty evacuation and defibrillator training.

Below are a few photos of the day.

Mr LaRoche having a head dressing applied

Mr Pether having an arm bandage applied

Mr Pether immobilised in a stretcher after being treated for a broken leg

Postal Air Rifle Competition Confirmed Results

Confirmed results are in for round 1 from the official scorer and we did a bit better than initially expected. This is because the scorer has used a .177" plug gauge that opens the round hole to a full .177". Summary of scores below.

Team 1
Sgt Longman - 445 / 600
Deacon T - 438 / 600
Moore - 474 / 600
TOTAL - 1367 / 1800

Team 2
Wilby - 414 / 600
Deacon A - 406 / 600
Thorne - 405 / 600
TOTAL - 1225 / 1800

R Davis
SGT (ATC)
Adjutant 2393 Squadron

Postal Air Rifle League Competition Round 1

After lots of scoring we have the estimated results for the first round of the postal AR league competition. The six cadets have been split into two teams of three, scores as follows:

P - Prone
S - Standing
K - Kneeling

Team 1

Sgt Longman: P1 - 92, P2 - 90, S1 - 62, S2 - 78, K1 - 43, K2 - 83, TOTAL - 448 / 600

Deacon.T: P1 - 91, P2 - 88, S1 - 54, S2 - 61, K1 - 71, K2 - 72, TOTAL - 437 / 600

Moore: P1 - 81, P2 - 81, S1 - 70, S2 - 72, K1 - 87, K2 - 81, TOTAL - 472 / 600

Team 1 Total - 1357 / 1800


Team 2

Wilby: P1 - 72, P2 - 74, S1 - 74, S2 - 65, K1 - 68, K2 - 61, TOTAL - 414 / 600

Deacon.A: P1 - 84, P2 - 88, S1 - 58, S2 - 58, K1 - 63, K2 - 73, TOTAL - 405 / 600

Thorne: P1 - 91, P2 - 86, S1 - 46, S2 - 45, K1 - 62, K2 - 73, TOTAL - 403 / 600

Team 2 Total - 1222 / 1800


Good shooting by all, it's a very challenging competition requiring strength endurance and patience. The targets are now on their way to the official scoring officer at HQAC. Work on the next round of shooting will begin in early January.

R Davis
SGT (ATC)
Adjutant 2393 Squadron

Shooting Team AR Range Practice

Date: 16 DEC 12
Time: 09:15
Dress: Civvies
Details: Shooting time should only be 1 hour. Each firer will have 20 rounds in the prone position.

Christmas Message From The Commandant

As we approach the festive season, I look back on my first 4 months in command of the Air Cadet Organisation and am simply amazed by all I have seen and experienced as your Commandant so far. I have already clocked up almost 12,000 miles in the car and have visited Regional and Wing HQs and a number of individual ATC Sqns. I have inspected 2 CCF (RAF) sections and visited other CCF events. I have managed to fly twice, attempted part of an obstacle course and had a go at shooting on an indoor range (don't ask if I hit the target!). I have had the honour of presenting Duke of Edinburgh Gold awards, the Sir Arthur Marshall Trophy and a wide range of certificates of commendation. I have met with many influential people and have attended concerts and competitions, the standards of which have made me incredibly proud to be your Commandant.

But in between all these high profile, fun events, my overriding impression has been of a fantastic uniformed youth organisation, staffed by the most impressive team of adult volunteers who provide leadership and support to some incredible young people. I have received such a wonderfully warm welcome wherever I have been in the Corps and I am genuinely energised by the enthusiasm I find at all levels. 

Of course, there are some problems out there and we all know that resources are tight and times are tough. However, it's also an incredibly exciting time to be leading a cadet force, as everyone from the Prime Minister down is supportive of what we deliver for this country's young people and impressed by the quality of young adults that progress through our training. We are in the business of creating future citizens and our adult volunteers embody all that is good about the world of volunteering - giving up their time to enable others to achieve their potential.

I look forward to 2013 with great anticipation as we seek to shape the ACO for 2020 and beyond. Many of you will have heard me mention the emerging Strategy we are working on to ensure that the Organisation continues to deliver fun, exciting and relevant activities for our cadets and also invests in the adult volunteers on whom we rely to deliver the cadet experience. My mantra for next year is to "keep the air in air cadets" and also to live up to our motto of "Venture Adventure", whilst ensuring that all cadet activity is appropriately safe and properly supervised. I hope to involve as many cadets and volunteers as possible in this work and I will ensure that you are all kept informed of progress.

All that remains for me to do is to say a sincere and heartfelt thank you to everyone in the ACO who has worked tirelessly throughout another year to support cadet activity. I say a special thank you to our volunteers, be they members of civilian committees, Civilian Instructors, ATC SNCOs and WOs, VR(T) officers, Service Instructors, padres, or gliding and flying instructors as, without you, our 45,000 cadets would never achieve all that they do. I also pay tribute to my small but dedicated team of permanent staff at HQ, Regional and Wing level, be they Civil Servants, Regular or Full-time Reservist officers - you have all done a great job under challenging circumstances. 

I send all members of the ACO my very best wishes for a relaxing and enjoyable Christmas and festive season. In doing so, I would ask you all to bear in mind those who cannot be with loved ones at this time of year, particularly those deployed on operations overseas - we wish them all a safe and speedy return to their families.

Happy Christmas and I wish you all you would wish for yourselves in the New Year.

Dawn McCafferty

Comdt ACO

Dates For Your Diary

15 DEC - Bag pack (Waitrose, Billericay)

16 DEC - Shooting Team air rifle practice

16 DEC - Christmas carol church service (evening)

18 DEC - Secret Santa

20 DEC - Christmas party

21 DEC to 07 JAN - Christmas shut-down

22 or 29 DEC - Shooting Team possible rim fire shoot

05 JAN - First aid refresher course (staff and staff cadets where required) 

08 JAN - First parade night back after Christmas shut-down

12 JAN - Bag pack (Sainsbury's, Brentwood)

19 JAN - Church View garden project (DofE volunteering)

29 JAN - Leading, Senior and Master exams

16 - 23 FEB - Berlin camp

29 - 31 MAR - Peak District silver DofE practice

12 - 14 APR - Falklands Memorial Shield Competition

25 - 27 MAY - Peak District silver DofE expedition

Dates For Your Diary

08 DEC - Bag pack (Asda, Heron Retail Park Basildon)

15 DEC - Bag pack (Waitrose, Billericay)

16 DEC - Christmas carol church service (evening)

18 DEC - Secret Santa

20 DEC - Christmas party

21 DEC to 07 JAN - Christmas shut-down

05 JAN - First aid refresher course (staff and staff cadets where required) 

08 JAN - First parade night back after Christmas shut-down

12 JAN - Bag pack (Sainsbury's, Brentwood)

19 JAN - Church View garden project (DofE volunteering)

29 JAN - Leading, Senior and Master exams

16 - 23 FEB - Berlin camp

29 - 31 MAR - Peak District silver DofE practice

12 - 14 APR - Falklands Memorial Shield Competition

25 - 27 MAY - Peak District silver DofE expedition

Shooting Team Air Rifle Range Practice

All member of the shooting team, remember we are meeting tomorrow at 09:30 to shoot the National League air rifle competition. Dress is civvies, see you tomorrow morning.

R Davis
SGT (ATC)
Adjutant 2393 Squadron

Camps To Cyprus

London and South East Region are organising two camps to Cyprus. These are:

1. Akrotiri 11 – 20 APR 2013

2. Troodos 27 July – 5 August 2013

No other details have been supplied other than that above. We are told further information will be distributed shortly. 

From memory there is normally an age restriction of 15, classification requirement of Leading Cadet and you have to have been on an annual camp previously. Like I said these details are just from memory, once I know more I will publish it on the blog.

There are limited places on these camps, which will be awarded on a first come first served basis. If anyone wants to be considered they need to approach me directly. 

R Davis
SGT (ATC)
Adjutant 2393 Squadron

No8 Rifle Shooting Results 29 NOV 12

The shoot took place at Warley TA Centre this evening for entry into the Essex Wing postal competition. The competition is in the same format as for Wing and Regional marksman shoots, which are scored as follows:

Wing Marksman - 54/70
Regional Marksman - 60/70

Some excellent shooting tonight, well done to all. Scores below:

Thorne - 64/70 - Regional Marksman
Sgt Longman - 62/70 - Regional Marksman
Deacon. T - 61/70 - Regional Marksman
Moore - 56/70 - Wing Marksman
Deacon. A - 47/70
Wilby - 39/70

Targets will now be sent to the Wing Shooting Officer for entry into the competition.

R Davis
SGT (ATC)
Adjutant 2393 Squadron

Air Rifle Shooting Results 27 NOV 12

Shooting for squadron marksman - 20 rounds at 4 diagrams (5 rounds per diagram)
75/100 scores a squadron marksman

Wilby - 75/100 - Squadron Marksman
Mead - 75/100 - Squadron Marksman
Newton - 65/100


Shooting for wing or regional marksmans - 20 rounds at 10 diagrams (2 rounds per diagram)
170/200 scores a wing marksman - 180/200 scores a regional marksman

Moore - 186/200 - Regional Marksman
Walsh - 182/200 - Regional Marksman
Deacon. T - 175/200 - Wing Marksman
Deacon. A - 153/200
Sgt Lewis - 133/200
Goodfellow - 106/200


Well done to all who shot this evening there is a steady improvement in our shooting standards. If you require a new marksman badge or want to collect your target then see me on Thursday.

Best shot of the night goes to Cdt Moore
Most improved shot goes to Cdt Walsh


R Davis
SGT (ATC)
Adjutant 2393 Squadron

Seven Sisters Day Walk Summary

Last Saturday (24 NOV 12) we teamed up with 1483 (Brentwood) Squadron to walk the Seven Sisters on the South Downs Way, East Sussex. It was an early start, which allowed for a whole day of navigation training and challenges. Our route covered a very scenic 11km starting in Friston Forest and finishing at Beachy Head.

The training provided was a perfect introduction to the navigation skills needed for the Silver D of E, which we will be completing next year. We were also presented with great weather conditions to test our waterproof clothing. Even though most of the time you pack the waterproof jacket and trousers without needing to use them, that day proved they were an essential piece of kit never to be forgotten!

Below are some pictures of the day that shows how wet it was and some of the training that took place.

R Davis

SGT (ATC)

Adjutant 2393 Squadron

Walking up one of the peaks of the Seven Sisters

Cadets taking lunch under a storm shelter

Wind and rain while crossing into a field

AEF CANCELLED

Those cadets allocated to go AEF this weekend note that our slot has been cancelled. This is because the aircraft have been grounded. Do not attend squadron on Sunday.

Cadets who were going to attend will be placed on the next available flying slot.

R Daivs
SGT (ATC)
Adjutant 2393 Squadron

Seven Sisters Briefing

A reminder of details given at the briefing:

Date: 24 NOV 12
Times: 07:00 at Squadron - Estimated return 18:00
Dress: Civvies
Notes: Rain and wind is forcast - Yellow Weather Warning has been removed however serious consideration needs to be given to warm and waterproof clothing.

Kit List:

Day pack / rucksack

Warm clothing

Hat and gloves

Waterproofs

Walking socks

Boots

2 litres of water – can be part substituted with hot drink in flask

Personal first aid kit

Torch

Whistle

Notepad and pencil

Map case

Compass

Packed lunch

Enough snacks for the day

R Davis

SGT (ATC)

Adjutant 2393 Squadron

RAFA Lotto

Anyone aged 16 or over can help support the ACO by signing up to the new RAFA lotto. For a £1 a week you will be allocated 6 Wings Lotto numbers. Each Friday the Lotto will be drawn and prizes posted directly to the winners.

You can win up to £1,000 in the prize draw. First and third prizes are guaranteed to be won each week, the second prize however isn't guaranteed and can rollover until it reaches a maximum of £10,000.

To sign up please click on the link below, all entrants need to be 16+ to join.

http://www.securecollections.com/dd/rafa/details.asp?cadet=Y

Dates For Your Diary

24 NOV - Seven Sisters day walk

02 DEC - Shooting team air rifle range practice

08 DEC - Bag pack (Asda, Heron Retail Park Basildon)

15 DEC - Bag pack (Waitrose, Billericay)

16 DEC - Christmas carol church service (evening)

18 DEC - Secret Santa

20 DEC - Christmas party

21 DEC to 07 JAN - Christmas shut-down

05 JAN - First aid refresher course (staff and staff cadets where required) 

08 JAN - First parade night back after Christmas shut-down

12 JAN - Bag pack (Sainsbury's, Brentwood)

19 JAN - Church View garden project (DofE volunteering)

29 JAN - Leading, Senior and Master exams

16 - 23 FEB - Berlin camp

29 - 31 MAR - Peak District silver DofE practice

25 - 27 MAY - Peak District silver DofE expedition

Aerospace Leaders Camp

Dates: 17 FEB 13 to 22 FEB 13
Cost: £65
Location: RAF Halton
Requirements: Min age 16 on 12 FEB 13, attended an ATC camp before, senior cadet or above, must want a career in civilian / military aerospace (doesn't just mean pilot),

London and South East Region HQ are running the Aerospace Leaders Camp during the February half term. If you meet the strict criteria above and wish to attend then add your name to the events list on the cadet notice board. During the camp you will visit many civilian and military aerospace sites and is directly focused on cadets wishing to develop an aerospace career.

Note, adding your name to the events list doesn't guarantee you a place on the camp. Cadets have to apply to attend and are required to complete an application form, which will be sent to Regional HQ for consideration. The list will be up until 06 DEC 12.

R Davis
SGT (ATC)
Adjutant 2393 Squadron

Air Rifle Shooting Scores

Scores from the air rifle shooting are as follows:

Smith - 80/100

Wilby - 157/200

Deacon T - 157/200

Johnfinn - 172/200 (Wing marksman)

Goodfellow - 85/200

Boreham - 127/200

Sgt Lewis - 112/200