Combined Cadet Force

The C.C.F. continues to parade each Tuesday of term and its training is assisted by the professional expertise of the regular Army and R.A.F. The aim is to make each Tuesday afternoon both varied and interesting. -22 shooting, First Aid, skill-at-arms, patrol and ambush drills, fieldcraft, aircraft recognition and navigation are all core subjects, and some of the instruction is given skilfully by Senior Cadets. Complementary to this there have again been several excellent camps and courses which have been well attended by the boys and girls: Army and Air Cadet Leadership Courses, Air Experience, Flying, Gliding, and longer camps at Proteus, Warcop, R.A.F. Stafford, R.A.F. Newton and R.A.F. Laarbruch. The Green Howards have again given full support, particularly on arranging some active and very professional Field Days and we are grateful also for the help always on offer from the Prince of Wales own regiment.

The Biennial Inspection, by Group Captain P. A. Ryan, R.A.F., took place on February 27th and was one of our very best. After that inspection the District Commander's report concludes that we have "one of the strongest C.C.F.'s in the North East". This is a great compliment to all the cadets on parade and my warmest thanks go both to them and to all my officers, without whose dedication the contingent could not succeed. R. J. Bulcock

R.A.F. SECTION

Section Commander:

Fit. Lt. P. B. Jelbert, R.A.F. V.R. (T) Section N.C.O.: F.S. S. C. Bowen

As usual the year began with the induction of new cadets under the leadership of Flight Sergeant Simon Bowen with the help of Gavin Proudley, Nigel Dawkins and Tarik Tutill, as Senior N.C.O.'s.

The Christmas Term witnessed the first ever R.A.F. Section only team entering the Colts Canter March and Shoot. This not only ended in a pleasing result from the team but also, and perhaps more importantly, a defeat for the Army Section. The term also saw Section involvement in a field day with the Green Howards at Catterick where

the R.A.F. intermingled with the Army in various activities from unarmed combat to an assault course. The day finished with a full scale section attack on the training area. Meanwhile, at R.A.F. Leeming the new cadets experienced their first taste of flying in the Chipmunk aircraft.

In February the biennial inspection was held at School. The inspecting officer was Group Captain P. A. Ryan, R.A.F., who commands the R.A.F. Regiment Training Centre at Catterick. The inspection was held in the Memorial Hall due to bad weather (typical), and immediately after members of the section left for Strensall with the Army Section to take part in field training and air rifle shooting.

This year we have had much more air experience flying with eleven A.E.F. at R.A.F. Leeming than in previous years. A visit from a Royal Navy Sea King helicopter which provided a short flight around York for members of the Section and a day's gliding at R.A.F. Linton-on-Ouse have provided enriched opportunities for air experience during the year.

With flying in mind the Junior N.C.O.'s sought to construct flying machines themselves this year. The visible result of their efforts was a stunning display of aerobatics from Julian Bond's 'plane' (I use the word loosely), which unfortunately was followed by a loss of control ending in a steep nose dive from a biology lab window. I suspect that he did not have the trim quite right!

At Easter Julian Bond and Anne Suttill visited R.A.F. Larbruch, a tornado station in R.A.F. Germany, for an overseas camp. This was Julian's second visit so he obviously feels that it is a very worthwhile experience.

Throughout the year the cadets underwent instruction in drill, weapons training, and map reading, all of which was invaluable when they went to camp at R.A.F. Wattisham this year. Next year's Peterite will include a report of the camp.

All that remains for me to say is congratulations to the two members of the section, Corporal Paul Carvosso and Corporal Michael Simmons who have gained R.A.F. Sixth Form Scholarships this year and also to those who have been awarded flying scholarships and gliding wings. I would also like to thank Fit. Lt. Jelbert and P.O. Ison for their help and encouragement throughout the year, witfiout which nothing would have been possible. It would not have been nearly as enjoyable.

Simon Bowen

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