Here's a few things we've been up to as part of Operation "1368 Goes Forth" (into Chase Meadow Community Center and Aylesford School classrooms). Cadets beaver away at Prize Giving evening prep. Silver team present their video for DofE expedition section. CWO C has an earlier B'day (FS R is on a cake-baking roll). NCOs start NCO Panto prep (1368 take on Aladdin). Cdts K, B-R and K2 get their Blue Space badges. Ensemble rock band rehearse to kick-off Prize Giving. FS R finishes off his Master exam. Sqn measures the width of CMCC Hall. Cdts M J, K-S, K3, W and U get their Blue Pre-DofE badges.

A catch-up post this one, to commend all the cadets who paraded in uniform in front of their peers at School-organised Armistice Day ceremonies. Myton School seemed to put out the best photos but I was also passed some from North Leamington and Aylesford School. Hats off to you, and special mention also to newbies for stepping up and representing the Squadron for the first time.

Well done to Cdt B for achieving the COTM award for October for step-up in engagement in activities over the last 2 months, starting with First Aid screaming casualty performances but also smiling a lot and giving his best in the Space competition team prep.

Well done to FS H, Sgt F and Cdt P who achieved their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award approvals on Monday. They were all part of the 6 person team who did Snowdonia expedition in July.  The Award is much more than just an expedition though. The big difference at Gold is a Residential section with people they don't know although (Air Cadets does have opportunities for National and Regional camps which can be used). Timescales are: Volunteering: 12 months/52 weeks Physical and Skills: One section for 12 months/52 weeks and the other section for 6 months/26 weeks Expedition: 4 days/3 nights Residential: Do a shared activity in a residential setting away from home for 5 days and 4 nights. More to come. Congratulations to ex-cadet FS M though who attended her Gold presentation in May at Buckingham Palace.

The men and women of Blue watch turned up in force as the 2nd half of 1368 Sqn did their trip to the Leamington Fire Station, while the other half used the classrooms at Aylesford School. Turned out to be more exciting than planned after the station got a call-out. People appeared from nowhere jumped in the engines and were out the building within 90s. Reassuring to see professionalism at work within public service and also the sense of teamwork, training, alertness and personal responsibility needed to make it work. As well as some intelligent question and answer at the end, there was some nice time where older cadets chatted to members of the watch about careers and things, as our juniors took photos. Special thanks to Warwickshire Fire & Rescue Service for facilitating the visits to help us as part of our newly named Operation "1368 Goes Forth" (into the community).

Many thanks to the volunteer staff and all the cadets and their families who supported the 1368 Quiz night on Tuesday which raised around £700 for the Sqn. Special thanks also to our neighbours Playbox, for providing their space to a good cause. Advertised as general fundraising event, the underlying intent is to use the money raised to seed and launch a 2 year campaign for a 1368 Squadron 'Minibus/People carrier'. We want to reduce the current and fragile reliance on others' transport. 1368 is a large and vibrant squadron with engaged staff and cadets. By getting a Squadron Operated Vehicle (SOV) and in partnership with other Sqns our vision is that we could be provider rather than taker of transport; able to take more cadets from across the Wing to things like air experience flying at RAF Cosford, and enhance the opportunities for cadets to do expeditions, visit air displays, and attend camps and community duties. Special thanks to team of CI M (love the jacket), Acting P...