In a year of lots of lows, there was a nice high to finish off 2020, for 28 members of Trent Wing to receive recognition in the New Years Honours list!
Each year Trent Wing stages its annual multi activity camp, catering for over 280 cadets from across the wing, providing a wide and diverse programme over 7 days, which is no mean feat to achieve. The camp traditionally takes place in August at the EMTA Beckingham Training area, during which over 80 staff are required to assist in running and organising the camp.
The Planning cycle is over 12 months long, taking in every aspect from catering to activities, staffing rotas, transport, qualification gains and currency, medical cover and admin to run what is a sustained 24hour operation, with a number of moving parts. The camp focuses around some core elements of cadet training, but is also a chance to enable us to deliver some more exciting and less available activities, that cadets may not be able to experience on their individual units.
The camp, for several years lead by Sqn Ldr Daniel Withnall, includes activities such as Drill, Rifle Drill, Fieldcraft, First Aid, Mountain Biking, Swimming, Sports, Archery, Leadership and Team Building, Shooting, External Visits, Night Exercises, Visits from aircraft, Water sports, Climbing and many others. The system and format has attracted visits from senior RAF and Military Officers over the last few years and has been used as a template for others to create their own camp.
Wing Commander Tony Wright, Officer Commanding Trent Wing said, "It is fantastic for the efforts of the team, both current and past members, to be recognised for their hard work and efforts with an Air Officer Commanding 22 Group Commendation. I am proud of what the camp achieves and the determination of each and every member of the team to ensure we deliver a fantastic experience year after year for our cadets'.
The AOC 22 Gp Commendation recognises 28 key staff members both currently within Trent Wing from both Squadron and Wing level, as well as several who have moved to pastures new within the organisation.