The Diamond Formation was formed by Cpt A Dziemianko, Flt Lt J Jinks RAF VR(T) Rtd, Flt Lt T J Burton RAF VR(T) and Lt D Cluley.

Once a cadet has completed level 1 and level 2 they are eligible to apply for acceptance on the level 3 course.

Level 3 course is designed to incorporate the skills / training  taught over the first two levels, making for a full weekend of training and leadership exercises / command tasks.

The whole weekend was carried out under canvas (Basher’s) as accommodation, living in the field, however still keeping up with personal standards and organisation with regular checks on general house keeping, personal hygiene and equipment / kit inspections.

On arrival on the Friday evening, the weather was not good as the rain had started to fall; regular checks were needed thought the start of the evening to ensure the weather was good enough for the cadets and staff to be located outdoors.

Following the welcome brief, health and safety brief, exercise brief and a first aid refresher the cadets and staff move out from CS (Charlie South) to VW (Vigo Woods).

Food was provided by pack luck from the JRM (Junior Ranks Mess), so no need to un pack any cooking equipment until the next day, so making full use of the time left to make sound bashers for accommodation.

Saturday started well as the weather had subsided and the rain had stopped!

After breakfast, keeping to the schedule the cadets carried out many leadership tasks and excesses throughout the day.

Unfortunately the weather changed in the night, with more rain to come our way, however the cadets were all very professional, utilized there skills and made sure they were ready for the change in weather.

A commendation must be said of the four Racliffian who attended the level 3 course, Cdt CPL J Adcock, Cdt CPL G Brittain, Cdt K Gill and Cdt J Chaloner, all four showed great ability, knowledge and skills to prove to be some of the best leaders of the weekend.

Due to the increase of cadets within the RAF Section, it has become apparent the usage of the Project / Model Room will have to cease as a tempory store room and be utilized as an extra classroom.

After many days of renovating the nearly derelict building, its is now ready to store basic equipment.

Before:-

 After:-

 Hopefully this fantastic addition to the RAF Section will enable the ability to provide a beter and more enhanced training package than before it’s introduction.

 

 This years RAF Summer Camp was very nearly cancelled altogether due to lack of cadets numbers, however after having to canceling the first allocation of slots I was able to gain 4 places at RAF Boulmer.After much liaising with cadets, RAF and RAF V(T) staff we managed to gain a place for Cdt Chaloner and Flt Lt T J Burton RAF VR(T) assisting the other adult staff.   

 

“Weapons Handling”

 

  A fantastic day on Monday starting with an Arrival Brief from the ACLO ( Air Cadet Liaison Officer ) and followed with a full day shooting on the range, all the cadets had several sessions and fired many rounds. A few gifted cadets managed to pass there Full Bore Target Shooting grade and gain there new badge. The station has superb fitness and sports center located in the station gym; we took full advantage with basketball and football. 

  

“Target Shooting”

Problem solving which incorporated leadership techniques started the Tuesday; this got everyone up and running for a session of Drill before a visit to the Op’s site.After a full brief on health and safety, security and conduct a very in depth and full section visit followed.Split into two flights, one flight participated in leadership activities and tasks on the low ropes and the second flight visited the Fire Section.   

  

“Low Ropes – Leadership / Confidence Training”

An excellent  demonstration of how the fire fighters uniform protects them, a full in depth talk regarding equipment and vehicle,  but also a real life call out showing the speed and professionalism of the fire crew.  

 

 

 

” Section Visit – Fire Section”

Drill practice first thing Wednesday morning, then some much needed R&R in Alnwick Town to do some retail therapy, see the sights and generally relax for a few hours. Late afternoon the cadets and staff prepared for the evening exercise, on to the MT transport and off to RAF Spadeadam.

” Drill Practice “

 

EXERCISE RECON FERET – RAF Spadeadam

The evening exercise was designed to maximize ground navigation, taking in the various military vehicles, missile silos and other disused safe areas.

” NBC Appriciation, Flight Photo and Mock Mobile RaDAR”

The exercise was carried out as a joint exercise with the CCF RAF Sections and 1801 Lutterworth Squadron, all cadets were mixed together enabling them to gain experience in working with different people and dealing with the team, tasks and individual needs.

All the cadets worked together extremely well together, gained new skills and experienced the most wonderful countryside in the process.

” Field Cooking & Mobile Missile Launcher “

A very good section visit to Air Sea Rescue 202 Sqn on the Thursday, a Sea King Helicopter was available for a static hands on experience, unfortunately a call came in the spare aircraft to assist in an emergency so no flights were available this time.

“Section Visit – Air Sea Rescue 202 Sqn”

The cadets were split into three flights, the first had a full demonstration of all the safety equipment which is used on the aircraft, the second was shown around the cockpit, controls and working end of the aircraft, while the third flight was shown the rear of the aircraft where the flight crew, paramedic and winch man carries out there duties.

” Rear Section, Sea King and Cockpit “

In the afternoon another section visit, this time off the main station to a satellite station called RAF Brizlee Wood.Hear the cadets were show around the small remote station, shown the workings of the station and how it operates.

” Land Based RaDAR Instalation “

Drill competition started off Friday, a superb effort by all cadets which resulted in A flight walking away as winners.

“Drill Competition”

An inter Flight competition and quiz finished off the morning, after lunch a visit in to Newcastle and into an indoor climbing wall facility, most of the cadets and staff took part and all enjoyed the very large wall.

“Climbing Wall”

Saturday, we all worked as a well oiled machine to get the accommodation spick and pan for the new cadets who would be arriving after lunch.

A very good camp, many thanks to Bridlington School CCF RAF Section who managed to accommodate Cdt Chaloner and Flt Lt T J Burton RAF VR(T) for the week long camp.

Rolls Royce plc – RAF / Aviation Presentation – 17^th January 2010

The section has started off running at a very fast rate, on the 17^thJanuary 2010 Vice President Mr Dominic Lyons Representing UK MoD Combat Air,  Rolls Royce Filton Site visited Ratcliffe College. He gave a very in depth presentation on the research and development, production and maintenance of engines which are supplied to the Royal Air Force and Domestic companies around the world.The presentation gave a very good insight to the roles and responsibilities Rolls Royce supplies to the Royal Air Force.At present we are in communication with Rolls Royce to organize a site visit at the Filton Plant, there will be a full factory tour to incorporate the research and development, production engines being produced and hopefully a full test of one of the jet engines being supplied to the Royal Air Force.

 New Civilian Instructors. February 2010

Towards the end of January, the RAF Section has been honored with the presence of Mr John Jinks to assist with

ADVANCED Training, primarily Air Navigation, Pilot Navigation and Advanced Aviation in General.

Also Mr Bob Moore, ( Fly Off R L Moore Rtd ) returned to Ratcliffe after several years in exile to further

 assist in Part 2 syllabus, continue RAF ethos, standards and general assistance.

Eastern Area Leadership Training – RAF Wittering 5^th – 7^th February 2010

Another very successful weekend of training, overall there were 18 cadets in attendance with 3 cadets attending

 from Ratcliffe College CCF RAF Section CDT D Adcock, CDT C Powel and CDT H Jones.

All three cadets conducted themselves admiral, gaining many new leadership skills such as public specking,

presentation techniques, exercises, and discipline and experience life on an RAF Station! Not forgetting the

wonderful food available within the JRM (Junior Ranks Mess).

An added bonus with Sqn Ldr Ron Miller dropping in to present the Best Cadet Prizes, general support and

announcing the introduction of completion of the Leadership section within the ADVANCE training syllabus

can be gained by completing Level 1 and 2 of the EALT weekends.

Presentation from Ex Racliffian – Flt Lt Jonathan ( Jonny ) Meadows RAF / 2nd February 2010

Flt Lt J Meadows was a former pupil, having left in 1991. He is currently serving as a Tornado Pilot

 in the Royal Air Force and have recently returned from a tour in Afghanistan. He will be shortly

posted to Scotland from the first week in April; therefore on the 2^nd February Flt Lt J Meadows

attended Ratcliffe College CCF Parade and conducted the most in depth, interesting and

comprehensive presentation.

His presentation was very good for opening the minds of the cadets to the world of the Royal Air Force

, what life has been like in the past and what the future holds for any budding cadets interested in joining

the RAF in the Future.

An Added bonus, Jonny incorporated some actual video footage which was recorded from one of many sorties

he carried out when on tour in Afghanistan.
Many thanks must go out for Jonny for spending time preparing the presentation and spending much quality

time with the RAF Cadets

Air Experience Flying – 17^th & 19^th February 2010

Unfortunately the first 20 slots available for Ratcliffe College RAF cadets were given a large blow with the

weather being the ultimate stumbling block.

Once the snow started to fall and the ice became very dangerous, all AEF flying was stopped

until the weather became safe enough to fly.

Part II Exams – 16^th March 2010 ( Aviation Knowledge )

Congratulations to J/Cpl A Maxwell, Cdt R Soni, Cdt K Gill, Cdt G Britain and Cdt A Donegarni

who have all passed there Aviation Syllabus Part 2 exam.

There subjects included Principles of Flight, Basic Navigation and Airmanship 2.

Air Experience Flying – 16^th April 2010

Once again the weather proved to be very unpredictable with the recent explosion of the Volcano

in Iceland.

The whole of the UK airspace and several countries in Europe were totally grounded for several days!  

Due to the volcanic ash cloud, fly was again suspended due to the weather and therefore No Flying in 2010 as yet!

(Hopefully slots will be re allocated as soon as possible)

” Sorry Guys and Girls, hopefully our July slot will be more forgiving!”

The morning started well with all the cadets turning up on time! ( Always a bonus! )

The weather was not too bad to start with; unfortunately we had been pulled out of the bag to go first for the Drill Competition!

This is something which is always good, unless the heavens decide to open and drown everyone in the local area!

Even thou the weather took a tern for the worse; all the cadets carried out a very impressive performance and took the competition to all the other schools / colleges.

Overall Ratcliffe achieved 4^th place, this was a vast improvement in past performances and all cadets were very professional.

Special congratulations to Sgt Richard Jee, who carried out the difficult job of instructing the cadets in a difficult and complex Drill sequence.

After a short break, it was off to the Education Center to carry out the Aircraft Recognition Competition. The cadets who carried out this task found the PC generated competition very difficult to navigate, however they all tried there best and came a respectable 11^th place. (Something to learn for next year!)

The Sports Bleep Test was very challenging, all 4 cadets did a very good job in keeping up with the other teams and came a respectable 8^th place.

Lunch was supplied by Ratcliffe College, the then back to the Education Center for the leadership Competition.

Flt Sgt Robert Herrick had the honor of taking lead IC (Instructor in Command), from his and the team’s vast experience in leadership exercises we were hoping for a good effort all round!

An excellent performance, skill, confidence and very good team work the team managed to pull 1^st place out of the bag and gain the first CCF RAF Trophy for Ratcliffe College “ Well Done “

The First Aid scenario was very intence, many hours of training were carried out with the assistance of WO D Nelson.

From the word go things went from bad to worse, due to a fundamental error!

“ ALWAYS Remember to switch OFF any electrical appliance before applying First Aid”

Therefore we lost a member of the team from the off and we really didn’t recover from this situation, however all the members of the First Aid team tried there best and continued ton try and save all the injured parties.

Finally, Target Shooting team moved over to the DCCT range for there shoot.

The teams effort was good, but unfortunately not good enough to get into the final shoot off!

However Sgt Richard Jee excelled and was asked back to the range for a final shoot off for the Best Individual Shoot.

Providing near perfect scores, he was piped to the post and came a respectable 2^nd place. “ Well Done Sgt Jee!”

An extra added to the itinerary for this year was a fantastic excursion to the RAF Cranwell Heritage Museum, located on the outskirts of the the station.

We were greated by a current RAF Training Officer cadet, who was very professional and informative with regards to the museum.

There were many different stands to look at, plus interactive equipment with an aviation theame.

All the cadets enjoyed not only the well needed break, but also the fantastic range of models, memorabilia, equipment and the jet provost outside.

Today was a special day for Ratcliffe CCF as this was the first opportunity to parade in public with the New CCF Standard.

The honor and reasonability to carry the standard went to Cadet Flt Sgt R Herrick, with one escort from the RAF Section and another from the ARMY section.

The Guard Diamond Formation was formed by Flt Lt D Surry RAF VR(T) BSc, Flt Lt J Jinks RAF VR(T) Rtd, Flt Lt T J Burton RAF VR(T) and CPT Schlotfeit.

E.A.L.T. October 2009 Beckingham

The East Area Leadership Training program recently set up for the ACO CCF by Flt Lt D Surry, started off with great success located at Beckingham Ranges, Lincolnshire.

The principles of this new addition to the ACO activities are to enable individual schools / colleges from the Eastern Area to have access to Leadership Training, which may not be available from internal staff and have the desired affect of increasing the overall performance and increased education to all cadets attending.

A full program of camp craft, ration pack knowledge and cooking, movement in the field, public speaking, leadership techniques, exercise planning ( SMEAC / SMAC ), leadership exercises and an evening exercise.

 The weather was on the turn, many hours of rain made life difficult in the field, however with the availability of the buildings within the area made life allot easier.

Several schools / colleges were in attendance with Kings College Grantham and Ratcliffe College working well together, with the additional help of Adult SGT R Gardner from 2502 Sqn ( Air Training Corp ) Hamilton assisting throughout the weekend training.

Battle of Britain Parade September 2009

Once again Flt Lt Burton assisted with the organising and logistics of this years Battle of Britain Parade in the town of Melton Mowbray.

The total number of participants on parade were 168, ( DAC – Royal Air Force Military Police Section, Royal British Legion, Royal Air Force’s Association, Air Training Corp 1279, 2248, 1181 and 2502 Sqn, Ratcliffe College CCF RAF Section.

” Well Done” Cadet SGT Richard Jee who showed great composure and professionalism on laying the wreath from Ratcliffe College CCF.