The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Blairgowrie cadets enjoy visit to RAF Brize Norton
Air Training Corps cadets from Blairgowrie enjoyed the experience of a lifetime as they attended a five-day summer camp at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.
Flight Sergeant Rea Bloice, Sergeant Mateusz Aleksander, Corporal Jocelyn Turner and Cadets Lauren Robertson and Jacob Hurst were accompanied by the Squadron Commander, Flight Lieutenant Roy Kemp RAFVR(T), for the trip south.
The group were briefed on the station on their arrival before starting out on their adventure the following day.
It saw them explore some of the biggest flying machines operated by the RAF, with one of the highlights a two-hour flight in a C17 Globemaster transport aircraft.
They also went aboard the A400M Atlas and C130J Hercules as guests of the operational 99, 70 and 47 Squadrons.
The cadets also visited the RAF police dog section, fire section, tactical medical wing and air movement squadron.
Two final highlight saw the cadets visit the parachute training school – where they carried out a simulated parachute jump from a mock aircraft, some 40ft above the hanger floor – and RAF Benson, where they were able to take to the air.
Corporal Turner and Cadet Robertson had their first flights in the tutor aircraft and both were allowed to pilot the aircraft for a portion of the flight.
Anyone aged between 13 and 18 who is interested in joining 2519 (Strathmore) Squadron is invited to meet cadets and staff on any Monday or Wednesday evening, between 7pm and 9pm, at The Joint Cadet Centre in Blairgowrie’s Union Street.