Cadets and staff from 497 (Daventry) Squadron looked back at a hectic year last year, spent racking up the miles, with a huge number of camps, including cadets and staff jetting off to Cyprus , Germany , Gibraltar and Belgium . Cadets also stayed closer to home visiting RAF Spadeadam in Cumbria , RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire the Royal International Air Tattoo at Fairford and RAF St Mawgan in Cornwall .

Earlier on this year, Cadet Sergeant Tom Clark visited RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus and enjoyed a range of activities including visiting a theme park, visiting the UN Controlled Area in Nicosia and visiting sections on the RAF base. More recently three cadets went away to RAF Reindahlen in Germany, with Cadet Corporal Charlotte Charles saying “ it was the best thing I have done with cadets so far”. One cadet from the Squadron was selected to take part in the International Air Cadet Exchange Scheme with two weeks in Belgium. This involved traveling round Belgium in a group containing cadets from many different nations, sampling many different aspects of Belgian life, both military and non military. Cadet Sergeant Ellen Seymour said “ this was a brilliant opportunity and an eye opening experience to mix with so many cadets from so many countries. The trip also included two weekends spent with different Belgian host families, which was a really interesting experience. To finish the jet setting, Commanding Officer Flt Lt Barry Broom attended camp in Gibraltar , experiencing an action packed week in the sun, visiting caves, entertaining apes and dolphins and generally enjoying a great camp for 20 cadets plus staff from the Wing and Region.

The cadets who stayed at home had no less exciting experiences. Cadets visiting Cumbria had an action packed week, including walking in the Peak District as well as normal activities for summer camp, such as section visits of various RAF sections, including the fire service. Cadet Sergeant Ellen Seymour was also able to attend the Royal International Air Tattoo, along with Flying Officer David Pink. Whilst there she worked on radios for the show and also got the opportunity to watch much of the show, including the famous Red Arrows and the first flight of the American Raptors. Cadets and staff also visited RAF St Mawgan in Cornwall and had another fun and busy week, including going to Lands End, going on a coastal walk, visiting Falmouth and the beach, as well as going target shooting and flying in Viking gliders and Tutors. Flt Lt Barry Broom added more miles to the total, when he was Camp Commandant for Easter Camp at RAF Halton, ably assisted by Flt Sgt Chadwick, enjoying a good week despite the weather being dull at times.

With such a busy summer, the cadets were grateful to go back to school in September for a rest. However given the speed this years program is filling up, they are unlikely to be resting for long.