


Ratcliffe College CCF
(RAF Section) Annual Review 2009
This year activities have been most enjoyable, challenging and rewarding.
The RAF Section started the academic year by welcoming the new recruits into the fold, a very impressive recruiting drive from all the staff and current cadets enabled the RAF Section to swell by 18 new recruits and giving a record number of cadets to 41 within the section.
This could only have only be achieved by many hours of hard work by the RAF Staff , the extra ordinary commitment by all the current cadets to assist with the recruit drive and to pas on there own experiences and enjoyment within the RAF Section.
Battle of Britain Parade 2008 ( Melton Mowbray - Leicestershire )


The RAF Section took a flight of 9 cadets to Melton Mowbray on 21st September 2008 to take part in the Battle of Britain Parade.
CPL R Herrick had the honor of laying the wreath for the CCF on the day; all the cadets conducted themselves with superb conduct, very smart and a credit to themselves, ACO and Ratcliffe College.
RAF Annual Leadership Training October 2008
RAF Annual Leadership Training (Stage 1) started with the most incorrigible start located at RAF Wittering at CS (Charlie South); the attendance from the new recruits was excellent and well supported by more experienced cadets. Several leadership exercises were executed, tripod building, spiders web, rope skills, public speaking and overall awareness of life on an RAF Station which included meals in the JRM ( Junior Ranks Mess ). Thanks to SNCO TEST SGT Clare Philips who has supported the RAF Section for the last four years, unfortunately her tour of duty has now come to an end and now has moved on to pastures new, handing over to SNCO TEST SGT Gary Ansall, welcome.




Escort to the CCF National Standard
The Royal Albert Hall 2008
A special mention needs to be made for CDT CPL Herrick who volunteered to be an Escort to the National CCF Standard which was paraded at the Royal Albert Hall in the presence of HRH Queen Elizabeth. CPL Herrick had stage fright for the two practice march past; however when he needed to get it right he stepped up to the mark at all cadets involved in the Standard party carried out there duties with perfection.


Rememberance Parade 2008
( Melton Mowbray - Leicestershire )
Making a swift return from London back to Leicestershire late on the Saturday evening arriving around 0130hrs, it was a quick turn around to prepare for the Remembrance Parade in Melton Mowbray on the 9th November 2008.
Further duties included the CCF Contingent provided a flight of 12 cadets to attend the Remembrance Parade at Melton Mowbray.
The CCF Contingent carried on there duties by being an integral part of the Remembrance Service at Ratcliffe College in the Chapel on the 11th November 2008


CCF Annual Ground Training Competition
Preparation Weekend 2008
CCF Annual Ground Training Competition Preparation Weekend was located at RAF Wittering, the training consisted of Target Shooting, Leadership exercises, RAF Knowledge, Aircraft Recognition, First Aid and Drill.
Many thanks go to Adult SGT Rob Gardener, ACO ATC DRILL INSTRUCTOR assisting with training our cadets to a very good standard to challenge the best of any RAF Section.
Also thanks go to SSI WO Nelson for assisting not only the Annual Competition Training, but also continuing Adult Supervision through out the year.



CCF Annual Ground Training Competition 2008
( 6th Place Overall ” Well Done ” )
A fantastic effort made by all cadets who took part in the CCF Annual Ground Training Competition 2008, the weather was something to be desired especially traveling between competition venues around RAF Cranwell.
The temperature was near to freezing and the snow began to fall, even so all the cadets made a consorted effort to do there best and do well in all categories.
This year saw Ratcliffe College RAF Section beat of many schools to achieve overall 6th place out of 16 schools competing. “Very Well Done “




New RAF Section Head Quarters
Towards the end of the autumn term saw the opening of the New RAF Section Head Quarters, located on the Old Ratcliffe ATA Airfield. Flt Lt Dominic Surry, Flt Lt T J Burton started to renovate the building in June, by December several rooms were eventually in the position to be utilized for training the cadets. Much more work needs to be done, however as time goes by more rooms, equipment, better training and a better environment is being available to the cadets. The ultimate goal is to have a fully operation motion flight simulator to assist with Air Navigation, Principles of flight and aviation in general. Also an area has been set to one side to accommodate projects, model making and practical lessons.



Also we have access to ground to the rear of the HQ; this has been cleared and is being utilized for basic field craft, basher building and leadership exercises.



RAF SECTION VISIT
RAF Waddington ED3 Century AWAC
Straight into the New Year with a bang, two lucky cadets J/CPL Reeves and J/CPL Fung visited RAF Waddington where they took part in a seven hour flight in an ED3 Century AWAC aircraft. On there exciting flight they endured a fire drill, in-flight refueling, interaction between RAF flight crew asking questions and the in flight meals!



Gliding Scholaships x 2 Easter 2009
During the Easter holidays, two cadets excelled themselves J/CPL Tina Newton and J/CPL Stanley Pearce by achieving there Gliding Scholarships Course at Watton.


PART 1, PART 2 & ADVANCED Training Acheived
Thought the spring months, training continued with CPL Herrick and CPL Jee obtaining there ADVANCE cadet certificate in AIR NAV & CARDA, eight cadets gaining there PART 2 badge in Principles of Flight, Airmanship II and Ground Navigation and ten cadets gaining there PART 1 badges in History of the RAF, History of the CCF, Badges of Rank, Airmanship I, Basic Navigation and Basic Weapons Training



RAF Summer Camp 2009 - ( RAF Valley & RAF Henlow )


Towards the end of the summer saw a recruit drive ready for the beginning of next term, preparation for the Annual Summer Camp and reorganizing various areas.
Summer Camp was at the last minute put into doubt as we lost half of our allocated places due to accommodation, however with some reorganization we managed to locate four cadets at RAF Valley and four cadets at RAF Henlow.
So all was not lost and the eight cadets who attended there respective summer camps enjoyed themselves to the hilt, especially CPL Herrick who managed to gain a days section visit with Air Sea Rescue with a run up Mount Snowden, N’Wales.
RAF Valley



RAF Henlow 2009



AEF No7 - RAF Cranwell / AEG 644 Sqn RAF Syerston
This year was a good year for Air Experience Flying at RAF Cranwell AEF No7 and gliding at 644 SQN Syerston, with the continuing support from our own SSI with assistance for transport during the working day, the RAF Section managed to fly 53 cadets on AEF and 7 cadets on AEG. Many thanks to the SSI WO Nelson for making this possible throughout the annual period.



ITN Production Team - Ratcliffe Promotion Video
In September 2009 the an ITN production team were Invited to Ratcliffe College to Formulate a documentary for initially a promotional Video for the Head Masters Conference to which was Held in Liverpool this year.
Part of the production included a Combined Drill Movement between the ARMY and RAF section, RAF Section Leadership Training and ARMYMovement in the field.
The RAF Section were a credit to themselves, the Contingent and also the Cadet Organization conducting themselves extremely professionally, efficiently and very little training and time to execute all the tasks in hand.


Battle of Britain Parade 2009 - ( Melton Mowbray )
On the 20th September 2009 saw 7 cadets from Ratcliffe College supporting the local community by taking part in the Battle of Britain Parade at Melton Mowbray, assisting the Defense Animal Center / Royal Air Force / Military Police Section, Royal Air Forces Association and the Air Training Corp from 2502 Hamilton Sqn, 1181 Syston Sqn, 2248 Oakham Sqn. Directed by Flt Lt T J Burton RAF VR(T) from Ratcliffe College CCF RAF Section OC acting as Parade Marshall ,SGT ATC R Gardner 2502 Hamiton Sqn acting as Deputy Parade Marshall and Flt Lt C L Teasdale RAF 2 IC Canine Division as Parade Commander.


BI ANNUAL Review 2009
Every two years the authority’s body who assists with funding, training, support and overall policy (i.e. Army 49 Brigdgade, RAF Air Cadet Organization and overall Ministry Of Defense) conduct an overall review of training for the whole Contingent .
Such as accounts, training records, stores, equipment, training aids, recruiting, advertising, systems of work and overall running of the contingent.
On the 6th October 2009, the RAF Section provided the Inspecting Officer with two different types of leadership exercises, the first was “Raging Torrent” and the second was “Suspended Box”.
The “Ragging Torrent” is an exercise where the cadets have to get from one side of the imaginary river to the other utilizing the equipment available. (I.e. Planks, Tires, Ropes) There are limitations to the exercise such as no cadet is allowed to touch the floor while crossing the imaginary river as they would be imaginary washed away in the river!
The “Suspended Box” is an exercise where the cadets have to suspend a box at a pre determined height! To achieve this cadets utilize the equipment available. (I.e. Pine Poles, Ropes, Box)

Additional to the leadership exercises, the RAF Section utilized a 1952 type Military Tent for displaying examples of educational training syllabus diagrams, photos taken over the two year period which included summer camps, section visits, flying, gliding, annual competition, community parades and training aids.
A fully documented video which included examples of the vast opportunities available, most of the training photos and videos taken over the last two years, composed to music and will be available in the near future on the Ratcliffe College Web page.
www.ratcliffecollege.org
Also available to view was a video of the flight simulator, produced by Flt Lt Dominic Surry and a photo slide show.


Finally SGT Rob Gardner ( 2502 Sqn Hamilton Sqn Air Training Corp, assisted with setting up a Fieldcrest, camouflage and concealment and living in the field Stand.
He also assisted in setting up the display stands, transferring of equipment and generally helping out.
Memorial Service of Wg Cdr Smith-Carington
On the 14th October 2009 eight senior cadets assisted with the Memorial Service of Wg Cdr Smith-Carington at Ashby Follville Church in Leicestershire.
Wg Cdr Smith-Carington was a pilot within the Royal Air Force for many years, starting his carrier flying Mosquito’s, Hunters and various other aircraft.
To see more information go to http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article6732066.ece
The cadets assisted with the memorial service, providing escorts to the Royal Air Force’s Association Standard, two escorts to the Royal British Legion Twyford and District Standard and a Guard of Honor lining the way to and from the church entrance.
The cadets who supported the memorial service were Sgt Herrick, Sgt Jee, J/Cpl Pearce, J/Cpl Adcock, J/Cpl Maxwell, J/Cpl Leung, Cdt Amies, Cdt Yau. All cadets were a credit to Ratcliffe College, Ratcliffe College CCF RAF Section, the RAF, the RAFA, the RBL Twyford and District and of course themselves.
In addition Ratcliffe College CCF RAF Section received a wonderful letter of thanks from Air Vice-Marshal Sir John Severne KCVO OBE AFC DL (Please see below)

The whole year has been very productive, seeing many cadets growing with confidence, grasping life skills and learning not only how to work as a team but thrive as a team!
The whole RAF Section is growing into a very solid unit with many personalities, dedicated, smart, and proud and a credit to themselves, the CCF, the RAF and especially Ratcliffe College. (For Further information go to: - http://www.ratcliffeccf.org )
A Special thanks goes to Flt Lt Dominic Surry, he has been the RAF Section Training Officer for approximately four years and has been a credit not only to him self, ACO, but to Ratcliffe College. He has assisted in all aspects of training from direct training the cadets, setting up the RAF Section Website and forum, admin, IT, Media and Publications, participating in Public Parades and creating the Leadership Program for the RAF Section.
His vast knowledge, expertise, professionalism and dedication will be sadly missed.
FLT LT T J BURTON RAF VR (T)
RATCLIFFE COLLEGE CCF RAF SECTION OC