RAF Wittering News

2 Mechanical Transport Squadron Visits Newborough CE Primary School

Road safety and remembrance day were top of the list when 2 Mechanical Transport Squadron (2MT) from RAF Wittering visited Newborough CE Primary School this week.

The team from 2MT help pupils make their remembrance wreaths.
The team from 2MT help pupils make their remembrance wreaths.
Image by: Mrs E Kapler.

Two of the Squadron’s biggest vehicles, an Oshkosh all-wheel drive truck and an IVECO lorry, were driven to the school on Monday and Tuesday. Three drivers including Sergeant Terry Littler spent two days with the year-six pupils teaching them some basic road safety lessons and helping them prepare for Remembrance Sunday in November.

From left to right: Cpl Phillip Kapler, Sgt Terry Littler, SAC Luke Palmer with pupils from Newborough CE Primary School.
From left to right: Cpl Phillip Kapler, Sgt Terry Littler, SAC Luke Palmer with pupils from Newborough CE Primary School.
Image by: Mrs E Kapler.

Sergeant Littler said: “It was all about blind-spots. Large vehicles will always have blind-spots; no matter how big your mirrors are, there will always be a spot where the driver cannot see you. We taught the pupils where these blind spots are and, most importantly, not to get caught in them.”

Once safely parked, the pupils were allowed to sit in the driver’s seats of both vehicles and see the blind spots for themselves. Paying attention when crossing the road was also a big theme on both days.

2MT is the Royal Air Force’s road going, heavy lift capability. The Squadron has specially trained drivers and a range of vehicles to transport the specialist equipment needed for exercises and operations in the UK and abroad.

Next to the school is the village’s memorial to the Fallen and the pupils had been researching World War One in the previous weeks. The personnel from No 2 Mechanical Transport were on hand to answer questions and helped the children make their own poppy wreaths.

SAC Abi O’Brien and a pupil with a finished wreath.
SAC Abi O’Brien and a pupil with a finished wreath.
Image by: Mrs E Kapler.

Rebecca Marrs is the head teacher at Newborough CE Primary School. She said: “The children all thoroughly enjoyed the visit from 2MT. It was wonderful that the service personnel were able to support the children with their poetry and art work for Remembrance. The children were also very excited about seeing the trucks and enjoyed learning about road safety too. Thank you for 2MT for an awesome couple of days!”

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