In an exercise lead by 444 (Shoreditch) Squadron, 444 cadets together with cadets from 12F (Walthamstow), 2324 (Chigwell) and 1921 (Lewisham) Squadrons deployed to Bramley Military Training Area near Basingstoke, Hampshire for two weekends in July.
Weekend one taught the cadets all the fundamentals contained in the Air Cadet Fieldcraft manual, such as camouflage and concealment, how to move stealthily in the field and observation techniques. The cadets then faced a number of challenges and short exercises which allowed them to put these newly found skills into practice.
The second deployment to Bramley was a 48 hour tactical exercise. From the moment the cadets arrived at their base they were told they must fulfil a series of objectives, to allow them to defeat the hostile “Fantasian” staff team who had taken control of the northern part of the training area. By successfully completing a series of exercises they earned credit that would allow them to purchase essential supplies, as well as luxury items, which could be used to help them complete the weekend. Tasks included stealth observation exercises, navigation, night exercises and rescuing a downed airman – which provided an opportunity for the cadets to practice their first aid skills, and a race against time whilst the hostile forces tried to track them down.
During the second day of this deployment, the roles were reversed; the junior cadets now formed the hunting force, and tracked down teams of patrolling staff. The staff tried to evade contact whilst protecting items of strategic important which the cadets must try and secure. Sgt Valdis Snepts, the senior NCO leading the cadet said “We all really enjoyed the chance to practice all that we learnt in the first weekend to successfully track the staff teams! Being able to do activities like this as a squadron really helps build up a team spirit, and it’s definitely built our confidence to exercise in the field, and made us more self-reliant”.
As well as the field exercises, the cadets also experienced what it would be like surviving in the field; living off the MOD ration packs used for the serving armed forces. Cooking on stoves was a new experience for some – but they quickly picked up this vital skill, and were able to enjoy an impressive array of real and tasty MOD food provided by the new-style 24 hour ration packs.
The cadets and staff weren’t the only ones on the base that weekend – as well a number of rabbits and deer in the Bramley forests, a ginger cat called Splash, nicknamed “Patrol cat” kept the troops entertained by following in formation during patrols, and even concealing itself in bushes when teams were planning an a covert observation exercise.
Newly promoted Corporal James Lynch-Hood commented that “It was a great experience, we learnt a lot, and everyone enjoyed the range of activities we took part in. This is the third Bramley 444 has run this year already and we’re already looking forward to the next exercise, later this year”
Flt Lt Anthony Barker RAFVR(T), Commanding Officer of 444 Squadron “Bramley is a great opportunity for cadets to experience what life is actually like in the field, it shows them just a tiny portion of what our servicemen and women face.
By CI Coralie Young, 444 (Shoreditch) Squadron, London Wing, Air Training Corps.
