On Monday 1 st March, Flt Lt Chris Parry the officer Commanding 198 ( Hinckley ) Squadron presented Cadet Corporal Suzanne Essex and Cadet Jordon Pickering, with their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Awards. Both Suzanne and Jordon had taken part in a wide range of service and skill based activities throughout the year which culminated in them completing the expedition section of the award during a camp at Elan Valley.

Their practice camp was a local camp completed with cadets from 29F Rugby Squadron, and walked around Warwickshire in an area bordering Market Bosworth Lakes , finishing at Hinckley Squadron Headquarters camping at Upton in tented accommodation; this took place in May 2009.

During this camp they had to demonstrate that they where able to navigate with maps and compass and then during the exercise they where monitored by staff checking that the cadets could eat and drink too, and then on the camp site that they could pitch their tents and most importantly cook and prepare hot food.

In October 2009 the cadets attended Elan Valley in Mid Wales together with cadets from 121 Nuneaton Squadron, whilst here they had 2 nights under canvas tents, and in between, they proceeded to walk around the Reservoir in mixed groups from both squadrons carrying their kit, planning the routes through team map reading and each of them leading the group in turn, and whilst walking looking at the nature and surrounding geographical features. They where also monitored again checking on their camping skills and their ability to prepare nutritious meals and hot drinks. That they also showed courtesy to fellow campers on the site.

During the debrief on the final day cadets had to give a ten minute talk about how the 2 days had gone, talking about the team work, what each of them experienced from the exercise, and then from the routes they took. Each person also talked about the geography of the area they had walked in, and the nature that they encountered during the exercise over the 2 days.

Having completed the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award, Suzanne and Jordon have now started the training required for their Silver awards.