Tri-Wing Trainer

By Flt Lt D. Ratcliffe Surrey Wing ATC
Last Update: 19/05/2006 19:37:36

Over sixty cadets and staff from three Wings joined forces in early April at St. Martin's Plain to train and qualify in First Aid.

The course was the brainchild of 3 officers who met for the first time late last year during their Senior Officers Course at RAF Cranwell. Flt Lt Caroline Tracey OC 1921 (Lewisham Sqn), Flt Lt James Dyer OC 768 (Hayes) Sqn and Plt Off Richard Curran 97 (Croydon) Sqn.

The result was the first weekend of its kind, spanning 5 Squadrons across three Wings in the London & South East Region - London Wing, Kent Wing and Surrey Wing!

The Camp was Organised by Pilot Officer Richard Curran 97 Sqn, and a demanding course programme was put together led by the Camp Training Officer, Flt Lt James Dyer RAF VR(T) of 768 (Hayes School) Squadron.

"First Aid is a skill for life", explained Flt Lt Dyer, "and the cadets responded really well to the challenges of the course. Normally, this would take four or five days, but the cadets managed to do it in a weekend! That takes hard work and commitment!"

Proving that the demands of learning First Aid were not enough, the cadets also participated in a range of other exercises throughout the weekend including being put through their paces on the range - shooting both the No. 8, and the SA80 DCCT trainer. Flt Lt Caroline Tracey RAF VR(T) of 1921 Lewisham Squadron helped to run the range throughout the day, as well as taking on the role of Camp Commandant: "None of this could have happened without the staff and cadets working together as a team. It takes something special to bring together so many different Squadrons from different Wings, some of whom had never met before and get a great result at the end of it - and that's what we've done. The cadets can be proud of what they have achieved this weekend".

All of the cadets passed the assessments over the weekend - including performing CPR, managing unconscious and seriously injured casualties, together with learning how to deal with a range of scenarios. A total of forty six badges have been awarded to the cadets who attended from 97 (Croydon) Squadron, 261 (Guildford) Squadron, 444 (Shoreditch) Squadron, 768 (Hayes) Squadron and 1921 (Lewisham) Squadron.

Cadets from 97 & 261 Sqns are the 1st in Surrey Wing to take part in the Young Lifesaver Plus Award Scheme and wear the red YLS+ badge.

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