Exercise TEAM HAWK

At the request of the Station Commander, Force Development Squadron developed and delivered a bespoke Adventurous Training / Force Development event for the Station Executives aimed at developing the performance of the team.

The exercise was jointly delivered by the PEd Flt and TDF, combining caving and hill walking with facilitated discussions and communication exercises.

On day one the team deployed to the Yorkshire Dales in what were pretty miserable above ground conditions. Their first task was to work together within the Long Churn cave system nestled beneath the slopes of Ingleborough, the Yorkshire Dales second highest peak. Caving was chosen as an excellent levelling activity that actively promoted personal challenge, trust, teamwork, collaboration, communication and consideration for individual limitations and abilities within an unfamiliar environment. The weather on the day ‘added value’ to the activity with high levels of icecold water running through the cave system certainly creating an extra psychological and physical dynamic!

The first day culminated with a facilitated review of the caving activity and a discussion where participants reflected on their own performance in their primary role and collectively identified areas where improvement could be made to enhance the team. The group stayed overnight at Malham Youth Hostel, providing some much-needed time away from RAF Leeming and enabling the productive conversations to continue over an evening meal. Day two started early with the team being tasked with a communication exercise aimed at analysing their own team strengths. This activity encouraged collaboration and enhanced understanding on how individuals may hold different perspectives about how they operate as a whole team. Following breakfast, the communication exercise continued - now asking the team to consider which strengths they needed to improve upon. This exercise led to action planning with a clear focus on objectives which could be brought back to the workspace.

A quick look out the window confirmed we were now in for another soaking and the team togged up in waterproofs and hill boots to set out and tackle a hike around Goredale Scar and Malham Cove. Water levels were high following the persistent rain which meant that the short scramble to ascend Goredale Scar was out of limits on this occasion. The group still managed to complete the challenge via an alternative route which provided plenty of opportunity for personnel to ‘walk and talk,’ continuing the conversation on the points raised in the morning’s activity. Walk completed and a change into dry clothing saw the team recover back to base via a stop at a café for a post activity debrief.

In organising Exercise TEAM HAWK, FDS developed a blended FD/AT template which can now be offered to other teams on unit that could benefit from working on specific communication objectives. Aside from caving, a range of AT/FD activities can be utilised to deliver facilitated interventions that could add real benefit to workplace relationships, team performance and cohesion. Please get in touch with either the PEd Flt or TDF if you think your team could benefit.