Advanced Skill At Arms Weekend

5 cadets and 3 staff of 248 (Letchworth) Sqn attended the first Advanced Skill at Arms weekend has been run by Herts & Bucks Skill At Arms Team at Longmoor Camp on Hampshire.

The 2 days were aimed at the older more experienced cadets in the Wing to provide a more challenging firing environment focusing on service style shooting using the L98 rifle.

With the highest number of staff ever in attendance on an SAA weekend, an L98 conversion course was run for those who currently held .22 qualifications. This succesfully resulted in Sgt Fievez becoming L98 qualified in Weapons Instruction and Range Management Qualifications.

For the first time in the history of Herts and Bucks Wing shooting the Electonic Target Range was used. With numberous practises being fired the cadets and staff all got to gain some experience in long range shooting with some practises using advancing movements.

The weekend was a great accomplishment and with another Advanced SAA weekend being run in October the SAA Team look forward to continuing success of these weekends.Flt Lt Matt Oram, the Wing Shooting Officer said "I was especially pleased with the motivation and enthusiasm of the staff throughout the weekend. Some of the advanced practices we were firing required a high level of supervision, I would like to thank all of the staff who attended the weekend, they all got stuck in and did a great job."

In addition to the Advanced Skill At Arms Weekend, there are 3 standard weekends being run throughout 2008 which will give the younger cadets a chance to develop their marksmanship techniques as well as train and fire on a whole range of weapons.

Any question regarding Shooting events please speak to Sgt Fievez

Marching Begins for 248

6 Cadets and 2 staff from 248 (Letchworth) Sqn took part in the first marching event of 2008.

The one day training march started and finished at 1187 (Hemel Hempsted) Sqn on Sun 10th February. Some of the cadets who took part have never attended any of the marches that Herts and Bucks Wing participate in and are now looking forward to progressing to the next stage of the Marches.

With one more one day training march being held on Sunday 17th February the cadets and staff will then move on to the 2 day Chiltern Hills marches.

Any cadets or staff interested in taking part in the Marching Team should contact ASgt Fievez or ASgt Tierney

Wing .22 Postal Competition - Final Results

Team Scores

1st - 936 Sqn - 1316
2nd (joint) - 1365 Sqn - 1224
2nd (joint) - 1239 Sqn - 1224
4th - 248 Sqn - 1099
5th - 2203 Sqn - 840
6th - 1066 Sqn - 719
7th - 220 Sqn - 404
8th - 2370 Sqn - 398
9th - 1563 Sqn - 182
10th - 1113 Sqn - 106
11th - 2313 Sqn - 39
12th - 1875 Sqn - 18
13th - 332 Sqn - 12

Individual Scores

1st - Sgt Z Baker - 936 Sqn - 353
2nd - Cpl Howles - 936 Sqn - 346
3rd - Sgt Hughes - 1365 Sqn - 345
4th - Cpl Williams - 1365 Sqn - 341
5th - Sgt Richards - 1239 Sqn - 334
6th - Sgt A Sowden - 248 Sqn - 332
7th - Cdt Rose - 1239 Sqn - 319
8th - Cdt Baldock H. - 936 Sqn - 282
9th - Cdt Taylor A. - 248 Sqn - 260
10th - FS Gilson - 1365 Sqn - 257

Wing Overnight Ex 2007

A team of 6 cadets led my Sgt Sowden have made 248 (Letchworth) Sqn proud at this years Overnight Ex.

For the first time in 4 years the 248 team have managed to complete the annual Wing Overnight Exercise.

The event is a 30km navigation exercise which takes place in the Halton area. Starting at 8pm and with 12 hours to complete it and numerous checkpoints to visit 248 Sqn made an impressive start.

Only missing 1 of the checkpoints and completing the course in just over 8 and a half hours the team came in 13th out of 40 competing teams.

The team should be congratulated on what was an excellent result, they should feel very proud of themselves and should be an inspiration to next years team to better what has been an excellent performance.

Well done to all of you.

Pictured: Cpl Beecroft, Sgt Sowden, Cdt Kirk, Sgt Tierney, Cdt Berry, Cdt Taylor G

248 Sqn Prepare for Overnight Ex

Cadets from 248 (Letchworth) Sqn have begun to prepare for the Wing Overnight Exercise which is to be held at the end of November.

2 teams of cadets led by Sgt Sowden and Sgt Tierney navigated their way around a circular route of approximately 30km near the Halton area. With the weather holding out for them and carrying the required kit, the teams completed the task in just under 7 hours.

Knowing that navigation is not the only skill required to do well at the Overnight Exercise the teams have also devised a fitness plan to ensure their stamina is up to the highest standard.

Although the final team selection has not yet taken place all cadets and staff involved have been working hard to ensure 248 (Letchworth) Sqn get to pick the best possible team for the event.

OC 248, Flt Lt Wilton commented "We are confident that 248 (Letchworth) Sqn will do better this year than we have done previously and with all of the preparation and planning involved we are hoping for a good result."