Air Training Corps (ATC) Annual Summer Camp at RAF Marham - July 2007

The Camp Commandant, Flt Lt Valerie Smith and Cadets would like to thank RAF Marham and all the sections and personnel involved in the camp, it has been a wonderful week.

Photos supplied by the Cadets



Cadets Comments about their Camping Week
Shooting at the Rifle Range
22nd July 2007 RAF Marham
On Sunday the camp had a days shooting. The ATC fire two different types of rifle
the Number 8 and the L98, first off everyone had to be tested to check their
proficiency at handling the weapons and once this was done we headed off to the
range. 20 cadets fired the number 8 weapon and 9 fired the L98. The cadets practiced
several different types of shooting, such as groupings, rapid fire and snap fire. All
aiming to get points towards their maksmans and the interflight competition.
All the cadets enjoyed the day, especially those who shot for the first time, making a
good start to the camp and the week.
CWO Bickley







Comments about the Summer Camp from the Air Cadets
Gliding
22nd July 2007
After a frantic morning at RAF Marham, 8 cadets set off to RAF Watton.
After a quick briefing we were taken to the air strip. Almost as soon as we got there
we were working as a team to help get each other into the air, as it was a winch
powered Viking glider, there was a lot of work to be done. Including supporting
wingtips as the glider rocketed from 0 - 60 in 1.5 seconds.

We also helped to taxi the gliders on and off the strip, eventually it was my turn to go
gliding, my heart was racing but the pilots helped to reassure me. After a short wait in
the glider, the call for "all out" sounded around the airstrip and we were off into the
clear blue skies, it felt like a roller coaster as we climbed to 1,700 feet at an angle of
70 degrees after finding a thermal we climbed to 3,300 feet and it was at this altitude
the expert pilots taught me some tricks of the trade.

After an hour in the air we decided it was time to be getting back. A smooth landing
was soon followed by a swift exit. My face was flushed with excitement it was one of
the high lights of summer camp and was only the first day! How could it get better?
only time would tell.
Cdt Sophie Weston & Cdt Connor Monk




Comments about the Summer Camp from the Air Cadets
Go Karting
Monday night 23rd July
And they were off!!!! Team 1 leading, followed by 2, 3 and 4
First on the track were the staff, to show us how it's meant to be done, but the track
was wet and so were the staff by the end of their race.
Next it was our turn, we had to get changed into navy-blue coveralls and overly sized
helmets (for the females) and we ended up just as wet!
Many of us skidded around the comers, swerving into the tyres or off the track.
The adrenaline during the 10 minute drive was immense and we loved it!!!
Cadet Danny Lee & Cadet Jade Dawson

Tactical Armament Squadron
Our visit to the TAS was interesting and informative. When we arrived we had to
remove everything from our pockets because it was an FOD zone and they had
explosives on site. Next we had a talk on different missiles and bombs; we were able
to discover the most expensive (the Stormshadow), the most powerful and the fastest.
Several cadets went on to ask whether they still wrote messages onto the bombs or
attach random items such as teddy bears to which they replied "not quite" after the
laughter had subsided.

After the talk with the armourers in the lecture room, we all had the opportunity to see
missiles and bombs from both now and a few years back, including the "Paveway II,
III, IV, Asraams and Sidewinders, we all thought it was a god visit, especially because we
were able to see real missiles and talk to the experts.

TIW
Tactical IMINT Wing
Having heard the word intelligence I immediately thought of the danger, secrecy and
sophistication of the world of James Bond and the MI5, what I found was quite
different.

For nearly a hundred years the TIW have been collecting aerial images of out enemies
providing us with just as much intelligence as Bond but without the unnecessary
secrecy and danger.

Our briefing officer showed us as presentation about TIW, past and present. The first
aerial images were produced by artists sent up in balloons with nothing but paper and
pencil, later on cameras were used and finally remote imaging pods.

The pods used today can also take images in infra red. The images can be taken by the
Tornado and sent back to HQ. The part of the visit I most enjoyed was seeing the
images taken by the pods as I found the quality astounding.

Images of tanks and aircraft, as well as models were on display. We were also shown
some of the equipment they use.

Overall I really enjoyed my visit to TIW and I hope I use the knowledge I have
acquired in the future
Cpl Tom Hoier

RAF Marham Families' Day
Being cadets our duty for the day was to guard the static aircraft on display, this duty
involved helping the public with any queries they had about each plane. We also had a
guided tour around an American F-15 Strike eagle by the pilots based at Lakenheath.
Although the rain dampened the cadets spirits, the day was enjoyable due to the air
show taking place in the background.

NIGHT EXERCISE
On Tuesday night the ACLO team came to help us camo-up for the leadership
exercises that were to follow. After our camouflage and concealment was complete
we hopped on the coach to nearby private wood. When we arrived the SNCOs were
taken out of the cadet group to assist in the staff team and the cadets were split into
two flights. The objective of the mission was for both flights to navigate their way
through the woodland to find the lost navigator and pilot, without getting caught by
the hunter force staff team. Throughout the night initiative exercise were dotted
around the allocated area, to give the opportunity to the younger cadets for them to
lead a group of cadets and show their shills. The cadets had fun scrambling on the
floor moving stealthy to accomplish the mission, both teams being successful. On the
way back the cadets and the ACLO team joined in wit5h a good old sing song and
laughed about the night events.
Cpl McKenzie & Fit Sgt Doran

















Back to Stories

Back to ATC Cadets

Back to Youth Activities