Our Camp at Brize Norton Airbase 18-25 July 2009
Arrival
Once we arrived at RAF Brize Norton we off loaded our kit from the bus and went into the accommodation. We were staying at the Gateway Hotel for the week. Most cadets shared accommodation with a few in single rooms. After unpacking we made our way to the Junior Ranks Mess (JRM). This was the first time we saw the whole airbase and to see the size of the base which was massive. After dinner we went for a briefing from the RAF Police and the Air Cadet Liaison Officer to show us what the plan for the week was and about safety on the base. Upon returning from the briefing cadets did Weapons Handling Tests (WHT’s) and weapons training to prepare for shooting the next day. Before bed we had a final briefing from the Camp Commandant about the next day.
First Day
For the first morning reveille was 06:30 and everyone had one hour to get ready for the day and to the bus for breakfast at the JRM. After breakfast, we went to the 25m range on the base. We spent the day shooting the No.8 and the L98 rifles. The shooting was made into a competition between the two flights and marked at the end of the day. Those that were not firing practiced drill to prepare for the competition on Friday. After all the rounds had been used up we cleared up and headed to the JRM for dinner. After dinner we had an inter-flight football tournament for an hour and then had free time for the rest of the night.
Article by Cpl Maule & Cdt Bennet, 1st August 2009
