1140 (Steyning) Squadron Air Training Corps

"The Phoenix Squadron"

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Archive News

November/December 2004 & January 2005

The Squadron is now the busiest it has been since the new CO arrived in March 2003.  We're just about to complete a "full recovery" from the low numbers we were experiencing at the time the new CO arrived.  During November we had a very successful recruitment campaign at Steyning Grammar School and now have new recruits joining each month between now and August, with some names down for 2006!  If you want to join please look at the How to Join (Cadet) page for further information. 

November is always a time of reflection especially around the period of Remembrance Sunday.  The Squadron paraded it's largest attendance for over 5 years and escorted both the Royal British Legion and Royal Air Forces Association standards.  Our standard didn't arrive in time for the parade but is now being prepared for dedication and then use at a number of occasions throughout 2005 and beyond.

Sports events are always prominent at this time of year and cadets took part in the annual Cross Country championships at Crowborough where it always seems to be cold.  Football, hockey and rugby trials and matches have taken place and the Squadron is preparing for the annual 5-a-side tournament to be held soon.

The Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award expedition programme has started with a number of 1140 cadets joining cadets from across the Wing (county) to form teams who will undertake expeditions in both the Peak District and Dartmoor in the coming months.

The November exams were a superb success with all cadets passing at all levels - the best results the Squadron has achieved in years.  A number of cadets also completed their Weapons Handling Test (WHT) for the No8 rifle which is part of the 1st class cadet exam and more are booked on a course to complete their WHT for the L98 soon.  Meanwhile, cadets have continued their involvement in the monthly shooting exercises.  

(posted 8th February 2005)

September & October 2004

Many apologies to all our readers for not updating the web site in recent weeks.  Life at 1140 Squadron has been so busy that there hasn't been time to update the web site (and we've built a web site for 2351 (Bognor Regis) Sqn too).

September is traditionally one of the busiest months for Sussex Wing.  It started with the Shoreham Air Show with 100 cadets from around the Wing supporting the RAFA run event.  Cadets were there for both days of the air show with duties all over the airfield.  The Harrier, Chinook and Spitfire displays were very popular this year.

The Sussex Wing and London & South East Region swimming galas take place in September and October respectively.  The best cadets from Sussex represent the Wing against our sister Wings.  The Sussex Wing gala is always a busy affair with most Squadrons taking part.  1140 Squadron performed well but unfortunately only one cadet was selected to represent the Wing.

The Battle of Britain parade is also in September and the Squadron was well represented at this annual service in Steyning.

During the same weekend 4 cadets went gliding at RAF Odiham and completed part of the GIC.  For 3 of the cadets this was their first gliding experience as a cadet.

The annual wing drill, aircraft recognition and aircraft modelling competitions (Field Day) took place at Crowborough Army Camp.  1140 Squadron won one of the modelling categories and the cadet then represented the Wing at the Region Field Day.

Two senior cadets attended a one-week BELA course at Crowborough Army Camp followed a few weeks later with a qualifying expedition.  It is important for all Squadrons to have senior cadets and staff qualified in at least BELA to be able to run basic expedition training.

The annual South Downs Challenge (50km overnight trek across the South Downs) took part in early October and was a resounding success.

Football, rugby and hockey trials have taken place and two 1140 Squadron cadets represented the Wing at junior football.

The first Squadron 'Basic Camp' took place at Park Wood campsite (nr Poynings) and was very successful.  Cadets and staff from 1440 (Shoreham) Sqn also took part and thankfully the weather was fine.  Cadets were taught the basics about camping, pitching tents, building shelters, surviving on a 24-hour ration pack, navigation and some teamwork/leadership exercises.

On top of this we've had our regular parade nights, night exercises, band practices and so much more.

If that's not enough to keep you busy as a cadet then what is?  If you're not a cadet, you should be - you've missed so much but don't worry as there is still so much to do and most of these events are annual!

August 2004

Cadets have returned from an excellent week at RAF Lyneham (see Annual Camp for a picture taken during the camp).  A further group of cadets have also completed a week at RAF Digby.  That's three different RAF stations visited by cadets from 1140 Squadron this summer.

Our Flt Sgt has just returned from a parachuting course and plans to do more jumps.  This took place at RAF Weston-on-the-Green.  The picture below shows some of the course preparing for their jump.

Monday evenings have been very busy with two kayaking sessions on the lake at Southwater Country Park and two climbing sessions at the Adur Centre in Shoreham. (posted 21st August 2004)  

July is always busy

The Squadron made a presentation to Steyning Grammar School Year 8 assembly.  This was primarily a recruitment presentation and there has been great interest since. (posted 18th July 2004)  

Cadets have just returned from RIAT (Royal International Air Tattoo) at RAF Fairford.  It was a long day out but a great time was had by all - many attending an air show for the first time. (posted 18th July 2004)

A team of cadets has just finished a week of Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award expeditions in the Peak District.  The weather was pretty foul, wet and windy for much of the week, and the conditions under foot were tough in places - especially Bleaklow.  The team did exceptionally well to complete their expeditions. (posted 18th July 2004)

Two cadets have just returned from Summer Camp at RAF Cottesmore.  Both cadets reported that the programme was excellent and varied and included raft building and a high ropes course (see Annual Camp for more details of the general programme for camp).  

More cadets are booked on camps in the coming weeks at different RAF stations and one cadet has a parachuting course to complete - watch this page for more details. (posted 7th July 2004)

Flying at RAF Benson

Last weekend 10 cadets from 1140 (Steyning) Squadron joined friends and colleagues from 2464 (Storrington), 226 (Brighton) and 2529 (Burgess Hill) Squadrons for flying at RAF Benson, Oxfordshire.  Thanks to some good weather all of the cadets flew one sortie in the Grob Tutor (see Flying for more details).  For 2 out of the 10 it was their first flight since joining the ATC.  They both really enjoyed the experience.  One of the "first timers" also managed to do aerobatics - something that is usually saved for the second and subsequent flights. (posted 25th June 2004)

What a weekend !!

Where do I start ??  

On Thursday evening, at the Squadron, some cadets were given basic .22 rifle training by one of our qualified staff within Sussex Wing.  They were then tested to ensure that they remembered all the important safety lessons.  Having passed, they then joined cadets from 2464 (Storrington) Squadron on the Friday night for some shooting at a local .22 range.  These cadets were experiencing their first .22 rifle shooting - now they have a taste for more.

On Sunday we had cadets at two events.  Those that had done so well at the Sussex Wing Athletics represented Sussex Wing in the annual athletics competition against the other Wings in our Region - Surrey, Kent, London, Essex and Middlesex.  For this they will receive their Wing Blue and Athletics flash.  Unfortunately, none of our cadets were able to win their events but they all did well.

Meanwhile, another group of cadets were taking part in the D-Day celebrations and commemorations in Storrington with the cadets from 2464 (Storrington) Squadron.  It was good to have cadets from the Squadron involved in a hugely significant and poignant event - we are very proud to have been able to take part. (posted 7th June 2004)

Duke of Edinburgh's Award Expeditions

Over the Bank Holiday weekend, cadets from the 'West Sector' of Sussex Wing completed their Bronze level Duke of Edinburgh's Award expeditions.  The 'West Sector' is made up of 45F (Worthing), 1087 (Arun Valley), 461 (Chichester), 2351 (Bognor Regis), 2464 (Storrington) and, of course, 1140 (Steyning) Squadrons.  The teams started at 1140 (Steyning) Squadron on the Saturday and walked, with all their kit for the weekend including food and tents, to Hillside Scout campsite near Small Dole.  They camped there over night returning via the South Downs on the Sunday.  The weather was fine and the cadets all completed their first expeditions. (posted 7th June 2004)

Sussex Wing Athletics

1140 (Steyning) Squadron won an unprecedented number of medals and trophies at the Annual Athletics meeting last weekend.  Only 10 cadets were available to compete, but despite that there were Gold medal performances in the Class A Boys Shot and Long Jump and the Class B Boys Shot and 4x100m Relay.  Added to this the cadets achieved Silver medals in the Junior Girls 800m and the 100m, 800m, Discus and Javelin in the Class B Boys category.  This meant that 1140 Squadron won the Class B Boys Trophy as well as the Norman Page Trophy (awarded to the team that won most points in relation to their Squadron size). (posted 27th May 2004)

The successful athletics team, their medals and trophies

NCOs Course

Four cadets from 1140 (Steyning) Squadron completed the NCO / Leadership Course Part 1 last weekend.  (posted 5th May 2004)

Drill Instructors Course

One of the Squadrons Senior Cadet NCOs attended and passed the first Sussex Wing Drill Instructors Course for cadets.  The course ran last weekend. (posted 23rd April 2004)