Two cadets from 2030 squadron recently joined other cadets from Central and East region at a week long overseas camp to RAF Gibraltar. It was a busy week where cadets got the opportunity to visit sections on the RAF base, see local tourist attractions and even meet other cadets from Gibraltar .

The week began with a visit to the theme park, Isla Mágica, in Spain where the cadets enjoyed going on rides and watching an action packed pirate show. Later on cadets were able to explore Gibraltar ' s shops and town. The next day the camp photo was taken on the runway of Gibraltar's airport and cadets were then given a brief about fire safety and tried out some of the different fire extinguishers they were shown. After a brief from ACLO and the military police the cadets visited the bomb disposal section. Here they were shown the equipment that is used to disable bombs and some cadets also had a go at controlling the remote control bomb disposal robot. The afternoon was spent bowling and ice skating and in the evening the cadets went to visit the ATC squadron local to Gibraltar .

On Tuesday cadets climbed the Med Steps up the Gibraltar rock, witnessed fantastic views of Gibraltar and could even see Africa over the sea. At the top they were able to watch up close the Barbary apes that are only found wild in Gibraltar . They also visited the Great Siege Tunnels that were built in the rock in the late 1700's to enable cannons to be installed that could protect the mainland. The weather was warm and sunny so cadets spent the rest of the afternoon at the beach and swimming in the sea.

The cadets returned to Spain on Wednesday to visit a safari park where they watched the wild animals from a safari truck, tracks around the enclosures and rope bridges. The day ended with a game of rounders between the two flights (A and B) that the cadets had been split into for the week. Cadets went back up the Gibraltar rock the next day to visit Windmill Hill a naval signal station. Due to bad weather however training that had been planned for the afternoon had to be cancelled so cadets returned to the base and took part in a quiz between flights. After the quiz the weather brightened up and cadets went into the town to visit Gibraltar 's museum and learn more about the history of Gibraltar . That evening cadets enjoyed a trip to the cinema.

On the last day of the camp cadets were given an interesting tour of the 100 tonne gun on the Gibraltar rock. That afternoon they also went caving in the tunnels and caves inside the rock, which some of the cadets described as the best experience of the whole week. In the evening they had a barbeque where they were joined by some of the cadets from Gibraltar they had met earlier that week and were also presented with awards and certificates for the camp.

The best flight overall was awarded to A flight and announced on the plane home. The week was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone who attended, Cdt Harris from 2030 squadron said “It is definitely the best thing I have done with cadets so far and was a great opportunity to meet other cadets from the whole of central and east region.”

Article Submitted by:-
Sgt. Ruth Everett 2030 (Elmdon & Yardley) Squadron
02 Nov 09