858 hosted a Multi-Activity training day on the 23rd April 2022 where cadets from 858 and 378 Squadrons got the chance to undertake training in a range of different activities. On this occasion these included Archery, Skill at Arms training on the Air Rifle, Leadership, Simulated Clay pigeon shooting, Air Rifle Shooting, and flying on the Squadrons Flying Simulator.

Some of the events were planned within Squadron’s training syllabus, such as Leadership and Air Rifle, whilst other events like the Archery, and clay pigeon added a fun competitive element to the day.

Skill at Arms was kindly delivered by the Wing Warrant Officer, Dominic Chisholm, who was member of 858 Squadron until he took up the reins of the Senior NCO post for South and East Midlands Wing. When the cadets completed their training, and passed their weapons handling tests, they were then put through their paces in the afternoon by CI John Speers on the Squadron’s own range.

The Flight Simulation was especially challenging. CI Andrew Thomas set the teams a challenge to plan, and fly a route on the Squadron Boeing 737 mockup. No mean feat indeed, but the cadets planning was on point. On team planned there flight and then flew in landing within 7 seconds of there predicted time.

Archery was a continuation of the recent development in delivering that on the Squadron. Initial training was given to those who had not participated before competition time in the afternoon when the cadets where trying to outscore each other. This was topped off with a game of “noughts and crosses” archery style which really brought out the competitive edge.

Sgt Aidan Hughes and CI Kiera Hackett made best use of the outside area on the squadron delivering a couple of challenging leadership tasks. These were design both to get the cadets working and thinking outside their comfort zones, and to develop trust in each other.

Clay Pigeon simulation was a new event to the Squadron which again brought out a ruthless competitive streak in the cadets once they had undertaken training in the basic principles of shooting at a very small moving target.

Hopefully, time and staff availability allowing, we will be running this format of training day at least twice a year, where we plan to open it up to the whole of the wings southern Northamptonshire Sector.

More picture from the day can be found in our gallery 858 Squadron Photo Gallery – 858 Squadron (858aircadets.org.uk)