RAF Benson Summer Camp

Saturday 3rd July – Arrival

Whilst the rest of the school were enjoying a relaxing drink in their houses to celebrate the end of the school year, 11 Air Cadets were desperately making last minute attempts to iron kit, polish boots and cram sleeping bags, sports kit and civvies into already overflowing cases. At 1430hrs, swift goodbyes were said to family members and this year’s Head of RAF, CWO Liam Fletcher, who, unfortunately, wasn’t able to join us. Two hours later, we successfully arrived outside RAF Benson Primary School. Soon after we found our accommodation for the week: sheets of canvas (complete with holes) hanging limp over a few bent metal bars. Having dumped our bags, we hurried to the JRM (Junior Ranks Mess) where we were greeted by a further 14 cadets, exhausted after a 9 hour journey on a minibus from Daniel Stewart's Melville College (DSMC), Edinburgh , who were to be our companions for the week.

Sunday 4th July – RAF Museum, Hendon and Familiarisation Exercise

Sunday morning arrived with cadets, complaining about the lack of insulation provided by the tents, making their way towards the communal showers, located in a run-down building that claimed to be a sports pavilion. Scheduled for today was a trip to the RAF Museum at Hendon and at 0830hrs, a Senior Air Crew arrived from Motor Transport Squadron, armed with a 50-seater coach. On arrival at the museum, the cadets set out to view the various aircraft exhibits, including the Battle of Britain Exhibition Hall. However, the restaurant was successfully located early on and remained a popular alternative to the exhibits throughout the day. At 1500hrs, the 25 cadets and 4 members of staff were loaded back onto the bus to return to Benson in time for tea and for the arrival of the last member of the Repton team, Flt Sgt Calum Setterington.

In the evening, we were divided into our two flights (A and B) and completed a Familiarisation Exercise. This involved marching around the base in an attempt to discover the number of telephone boxes located outside the Post Office and how many hanging baskets hung from the front of the Officers’ Mess as answering these trivial questions was essential to gain a head start in the inter-flight competition!

Monday 5th July – Danesfield Water sports Centre

The following morning, after a 0630hrs reveille, the cadets boarded another coach, this time headed to Danesfield. When we arrived at the RAF Water sports Centre, situated at the edge of the Thames, we were briefed on the many activities for the day: various command tasks, paper aeroplane races, canoeing and raft-building. All of these activities contributed to the overall inter-flight competition and this competitive element ensured that an enjoyable day was had by all.

Tuesday 6th July – Section Visits and Weapons Trg

Tuesday morning began with the introduction of Chief Technician Mark Conlon who greeted each flight with the presentation of an army boot and the order to keep it with them at all times throughout the week. After a brief kit and tent inspection, we were shuttled over to Air Traffic Control, followed by the Fire section, where we were given an insight into the role of each section. The afternoon was spent doing Dry Weapons Training in preparation for live firing on the range.

Wednesday 7th July – Bramley Training Area

Wednesday consisted of yet another trip off base, this time to Bramley Training Area where we spent the day undertaking various “greens” activities, including orienteering and high ropes, in preparation for a night ex in the evening. After a luxurious ration pack dinner, we set off on the night ex. which involved rescuing an officer whilst remaining undetected by other staff. However, ‘not tho’ the soldier knew / someone had blundered’ – a “typo” with the coordinates nearly resulted in disaster and both flights’ boots being suitably scuffed!

Thursday 8th July – Dismounted Close Combat Trainer and Puma flights

The following day, having found out that the Queen’s Colour Squadron of the RAF Regiment were occupying the range, we instead managed to secure a place on the DCCT (Dismounted Close Combat Trainer – a system that accurately simulates firing a weapon in many different environments). After the officer I/C had successfully persuaded us that the facility was not just a scaled up version of Doom, largely through the threat that Mars Bars would be donated for each drill mistake that the system spotted, an enjoyable, yet productive time, was had by all. Later that day, thanks to Flt Lt Lee Alderman, all 26 cadets also had the opportunity to experience a flight in a Puma and, in groups of 9, were flown around the Benson area.

Friday 9th July – Air Experience Flight, Drill Competition and Disco

On Friday, 18 of the cadets had the opportunity to fly the Grob Tutor with 6AEF who are also based at Benson. This, as with regular flying trips to Cranwell (which take place throughout the year), involved watching several hours of Top Gun in the Cadet Holding Room during the wait prior to the flight. Four cadets also had the opportunity to use the Chinook simulator which was an incredible experience! The formal activities for the week were concluded with the inter-flight drill competition during which both flights competed with outstanding displays of drill but, overall, this was won by B flight. Following this, we made our way to the Youth Club for presentations and a disco. After several “paper plate awards”, presented by the two ICs, the cadets headed to the dance floor to make the most of the final night.

Saturday 10th July – Home!

Saturday morning consisted of a final clean-up of “Tent City” and the last meal in the JRM. It wasn’t long before the cadets of DSMC School had to begin their 9 hour journey back to Edinburgh and as goodbyes were said and several tears shed, the week drew to a close. Suitcases were loaded onto the coach and we made our way back to Repton.

Overall, the week at RAF Benson was a huge success. Fun and laughter was shared by all and some close friendships were established. Many thanks must go to Flt Lt Anton Smith (Camp Commander for the week), without whom many of the activities would not have taken place and we would have been without a taxi driver for the week! A special thanks also to Flt Lt Lee Alderman who spent much of the week liaising between various RAF personnel to ensure the cadets were able to fulfil all of the opportunities available to them. Finally, thank you to Plt Off Gem Hill for helping to organise the many activities and for accompanying the cadets throughout the week. All of the cadets had an excellent week and it was certainly a great start to the summer holidays!