Air Cadet Cross Country Skiing Exercise – Zwiesel, Germany.

By F/Sgt D. Woodworth Surrey Wing ATC
Last Update: 08/02/2006 18:26:08

At 1600 on the 13th January 2006, 120 Cadets from the Corps arrived at RAF Uxbridge to start their lengthy journey to Bavaria, Germany.

Two double decker coaches were provided as transport for the exercise participants. We left on time and headed for Dover where we took the ferry to Calais. After a short crossing we travelled through France and Germany overnight, making regular stops for refreshments. We eventually arrived in the village of Zwiesel, late afternoon on the Saturday. After unloading kit we formed into a Squad and were divided into accommodation, which for me, consisted solely of London & South East Region (LASER) Cadets. After having a few minutes for a cup of tea we had a Region meeting with our Regional Projects Officers (RPOs), who were Flt Lt Bob Sewell and CI Louise Bevan. The aim of the meeting was to get a chance for everybody to introduce themselves and the staff to offer some advice. This lasted for approximately 30 minutes after which we got unpacked.

The chalets’ were of an excellent standard with a large living room, complete with television! Of the 20 LASER Cadets, 3 people were using the course as part of their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award. These people were appointed as ‘team-leaders’ and had a third of the LASER Cadets allocated to them. A rota was devised by the RPOs and each team had to cater for 22 people for either Lunch, Breakfast or Dinner. We sat for dinner on the Saturday night which was shortly followed by a course brief from the Camp Commandant. Everybody was ‘drained’ from the travelling so an early night was had by all.

Sunday started with an 0730 reveille when one of the 3 groups catered for Breakfast. As a region we went to collect our Ski equipment from a local hire shop before heading to the local “stadium” (a field with tracks cut especially for cross-country skiing). Here the course was divided into groups where they were placed with an RAF instructor. The purpose of Sunday was solely to assess the individuals level of ability, to ensure they were placed in the correct group for the rest of the week. A great introduction was given by the instructors who had a hard job as the groups consisted of about 25 people. Sunday evening we were told which one of the 14 groups we would be put in. The instructors of these smaller groups were a mixture of RAF personnel and employees of the local German ski school. After dinner everybody socialised and the group began to bond very well with people describing their various misfortunes during their first day on the piste.

Tuesday evening was the first big event of the week. The AOC, Air Commodore Harrison came and addressed the course and the Cadets were able to have a question and answer session with the Commandant Air Cadets. Some Cadets were very eager to put some excellent questions to the Air Commodore, on issues that they clearly felt very strongly about.

On Wednesday evening a select number of Cadets were chosen to attend a Reception with the local council of Zwiesel a tradition that has resulted from the long-standing relationship between the ATC/RAF and the town of Zwiesel. I was fortunate enough to be selected for this privilege where the Cadets had the opportunity to meet and speak with local people working for the council. Three Cadets said some words about what they were specifically enjoying in Zwiesel, after which the AOC addressed the audience with a very warm speech.

On Thursday evening we went out for a meal to a local pizzeria, as LASER which was excellent. This proved to be an excellent opportunity for people to speak to some of the people they had not had a chance to mix with previously during the week.

Friday was the final day of skiing where Cadets were assessed for the ‘Langlauf Award’ on the skills they had learnt during the week. Friday evening was a meal at a local restaurant for the entire course. Awards were presented to the fastest and slowest of the time-trial that had taken place earlier that day and the medals to those who passed their Langlauf awards, as well as speeches from the Senior Ski Instructor and the Camp Commandant.

Saturday morning presented one of the coaches with some minor technical issues, which, thanks to the quick thinking of the staff was resolved with minimum disruption to the travel itinerary. We arrived back at RAF Uxbridge as scheduled at around 0600 on Sunday 22nd Jan.

The course was immensely enjoyed by every member of LASER with people already desperate to organise re-unions and how eager they are to return in 2007! The weather, according to my Ski instructor was the best he had seen in 13 years of skiing at Zwiesel. It snowed solidly for over 2 days and the temperature was constantly below Zero degrees Celsius.

The course was a great opportunity to meet new people from all over the Corps, a special thank you to all the staff who made the course such an amazing experience.

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