On Tuesday the 8 th September 2009 Cadets and Staff from 2028 Southam Squadron were invited to watch the ceremony of Beating Retreat at Kineton Army Munitions Station.

The invitation was made as part of closer links being forged between the Station Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Maber-Jones and the CO of 2028 Squadron. The Colonel is keen to involve Kineton more closely with the local community and in future cadets and staff from 2028 will be invited to give talks to the young people living on the Station.

21 Cadets and three members of staff were collected by Army coach from the Squadron and taken to the Junior Ranks mess for drinks and food, before moving across to the seating area in front of the parade square. The CO made his own way and joined the Colonel, various local Mayors and dignitaries in the Officer's mess until they were ‘signalled' by drum roll to take their seats to watch the ceremony.

Beating Retreat was performed by the Band of the Royal Logistics Corps, after which sunset was played and the final salute taken by the Colonel. The Cadets and staff were then driven back to the Squadron by Coach. All agreed it was a great evening and most of the Cadets have now learnt what Beating Retreat means in military history, something most of them clearly hadn't known about before.

The CO of 2028 Squadron commented, “There is a strong family influence within the Station at Kineton and a number of the young people have indicated they would want to join the Air Training Corps. One of them is already a Cadet at Southam and she has clearly passed the word among her friends. The Camp has some great facilities and just like Bramcote there are real opportunities for us at Kineton, bearing in mind that the Navy, Army and Royal Air Force all have personnel at the Station.”