10 cadets from 487 Sqn achieved a benchmark in their cadet careers over the April Bank Holiday weekend by completing their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award expedition in Capel Curig, Snowdonia.

The cadets spent weeks planning what would be the culmination of all their expedition training over the winter months, working in groups to ensure that all areas of their expedition would run smoothly. The cadets planned their own menus, kit lists, route cards, expedition aim and emergency procedures and set off on Saturday 30 th April.

The cadets got off to a great start on the Saturday and after a few minor navigation errors, soon settled into a steady day of walking. They soon realised that although the glorious weather was pleasant for sunbathing, it proved much harder to walk in carrying full packs. De-hydration and sunstroke were very real prospects, though the cadets had been prepared with extensive training and so were well aware of the precautions to take.

A tired and dishevelled group of cadets sprawled on the grass at the campsite at the end of day 1, in front of their tents, and discussed how their expedition aim had gone throughout the day. After a hot meal for tea and a quick health check by the staff, the cadets bedded down for a well earned rest.

Sunday morning saw the cadets pack up their kit after breakfast and head off into the hills again. After learning from the errors of the previous day, the cadets were much better at navigating across the terrain on the second day. The cadets reached the last checkpoint tired, sweating but with a great sense of pride and achievement, at having completed what was a very demanding expedition.

Plt Off Cotton organised the expedition and was also undergoing assessment herself throughout the weekend, to become and accredited DofE Assessor at Bronze and Silver level. Fg Off Heather Hart from 1459 Sqn kindly offered to assist on the weekend and conduct the assessment of the groups and Plt Off Cotton.

Plt Off Cotton said, “The cadets showed a great deal of will and determination to succeed this weekend, and learnt a lot about themselves and their teams in the process. I am proud of the cadets for completing the expedition without any problems and was impressed at their positive attitudes and great sense of teamwork and humour throughout. These cadets all started the scheme not knowing how to use a map or compass or walk with any more than a shopping bag, and have now proven that they are able to plan and execute a difficult expedition through rough terrain, being completely self-sufficient and unsupervised.”

487 Sqn’s Duke of Edinburgh programme continues and looks forward to providing training and expeditions for all levels of the award throughout the summer months.

A Big Thank-You to Civilian Committee Members

On Thursday 28 th April 2011 two long standing members of the Civilian Committee received a “big thank-you” for services rendered to the Squadron. Dave Johnson & Dave Emberson were each presented with a framed print of a Spitfire by Mrs Jane Jennings, the Chair of the Committee. Jane thanked them both for their service over the years

Both had served the 487 Sqn Committee for over fifteen years, including the last ten or so in the capacity of executive members, Dave J as Chairman/Treasurer and Dave E as Secretary, stepping down at the recent AGM. As popular members and the longest serving, they were affectionately known as the “Two Daves”.

Both have decided to remain with the Committee as active members.

Civ Com Chair, Jane Jennings highlighted their commitment and service during the presentation and thanked them for their hard work during their tenure.

Farewell Send-off for Flg Off Simon Jennings

The same evening saw Flg Off Simon Jennings receive a silver tankard and framed photograph of the Sqn upon his transfer to 485 Sqn. Flg Off Jennings was recently asked to take on the role of OIC 485 Sqn, a position accepted with relish.

He joined 487 Sqn for six years ago, gained his commission and acted in the role of Sqn Adjutant for over four years. He also undertook many other Sqn duties including the successful role of Media Officer; he was also a member of the Wing Training & Development Team.

Flt Lt Brendan O’Neill OC 487 Sqn expressed his gratitude “I like to thank Simon for making my task as OC that much easier in his time as Adjutant. I’d also like to congratulate him on behalf of the whole of 487 Sqn following his appointment as OIC 485 Sqn and wish him all the best for the future. I’m sure that 485 will become a very successful unit under his guidance & leadership and expect ‘battle royale’ with them in the coming years.”

Hot Shot Joe Creamer

After his recent promotion to CWO, Joe Creamer has not stopped achieving! On Thursday 28 th April, he was presented with his Corps Marksman badge on final parade, by commanding officer Brendan O’Neill.

The skill needed to achieve the Corps Marksman is extremely high, and there are only a few badges to be seen within the Wing.

CWO Creamer uses his knowledge and skill to coach the younger cadets at the squadron, assisting with marksmanship principles teaching to enable as many cadets as possible to achieve a marksman standard. He soon hopes to be selected to attend further shooting courses and broaden his knowledge and skills, not before taking the 487 Sqn shooting team to Wing Training Day this year for another hopeful win.

Sgt Andy Hudson, 487 RCO commented, “CWO Creamer has been steadily improving since he first shot the no.8 rifle and now has the Corps Marksman he has been hoping for all along. It is a great inspiration to the rest of the cadets and shows that with hard work, dedication and coaching, they too can improve their scores and reach levels they had not previously thought possible.”

The First Step on the Ladder

The bar was raised on Thursday 28 th April, with 4 promotions to the rank of Corporal at 487 Sqn.

4 Cadets were promoted on final parade in recognition of all their hard work and their service to 487 over the past few months / years. Each of the cadets has attended the JNCO Leadership Course at DCAE Cosford in recent months and have all shown good levels of maturity and commitment to the staff and cadets at the squadron in a variety of different disciplines.

The squadron welcomes Cpl Bhakta, Cpl Reader, Cpl Nye and Cpl Morris into the 487 Sqn NCO team.

Flt Lt Brendan O’Neill, OC 487 Sqn said this, “It is always a pleasure to recognise the hard work and commitment of the cadets at the squadron and put them on the first step of the management ladder within the squadron. All four new corporals show a great deal of promise and I look forward to working with them to build the strength of the squadron even further in the coming months and years.”