Cadets from 165 (Castle Bromwich) Squadron Air Training Corps, based on Castle Vale, took to the air in a different way to normal as they were interviewed, live, by Professor Carl Chin on his Radio WM programme on Sunday 6 th February at the Mail Box Studios in Birmingham .

This is the second year in succession that the Squadron has taken part in a live radio show with Carl. Indeed we have already been invited back for a third year next year.

The broadcast started after the midday news with the Squadron Commander, Flight Lieutenant James Martin, being asked about the Air Training Corps and its 70 th Anniversary which occurred the day before, this was followed by Carl asking the Cadets to highlight there reasons for joining the ATC. Professor Chin got a range of answers from the newer Cadets, Henry Millin and Kim Hewitt as well as Corporal Simon Swinbourne before he moved onto the senior Cadets in the studio, Sergeant Sam Keane and CWO Steve Wright. A common theme in the answers however was the fact that all of the Cadets greatly enjoy the Flying and Gliding opportunities that they get through their membership of the Air Training Corps.

The Cadets were joined in the broadcast by former Cadet Paul ‘Pablo' Mason who told the listeners of his time with 165 (Castle Bromwich) Squadron. Pablo joined the Squadron in the 1960's before entering service with the Royal Air Force in 1972.

He went on to tell the audience that it was exactly 20 years ago to the day, the 6 th of March 1991 , that he was in action during Operation Desert Storm, flying over Iraq and successfully leading his Flight of 4 Tornado's into action and safely back to base.

Following the broadcast the Cadets and Pablo along with Squadron Warrant Officer Jerry Elston and the Squadron Commander, Flight Lieutenant Martin, took part in a Podcast for “Flaps”, an aviation themed Website.

he Air Training Corps is open to young men and women aged 13 up to 20. 165 Squadron is located in Cadbury Drive and we are there from 7.15 until 9.15 on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. If you are interested then come on down and speak with the Squadron Staff.