Another opportunity for 1368 to run a STEM-based competition. This one was building rubber band powered paddle boats, the 3rd smallpiece trust home challenge we've tried. Winner, based on Team presentation and water tank performance, was Cdt B's team, who won the contract.  Wing STEM officer is looking into getting Bronze CREST Awards for last year's Wing Competition STEM team. It does require her to submit design portfolio though, hence may need a bit of work from team to get a submission ready (or find what was done), if they want it. https://www.crestawards.org/

Managed to get stock of Blue Leadership badges for Cdt W, Cdt H and Cdt K. Bronze DofE certificates and badges to Cdt B and Cdt M. Cdt S and Cdt K recently did AEF. They got their blue flying wings after completing Part Task Trainer (PTT) element on Monday with adult Sgt G from 612 VGS (with help from Plt Off D in setting up Flight Sim), and (finally) Cdt M got his Leading cadet classification badge. Meanwhile, some of our junior/mids have been working on Bronze Cyber badge (Plt Off D taking lead) and been kicking of Bronze iDEA registrations.

Last weekend saw CWO H and the ever taller Sgt G undertake 80km road marching over 2 days, a serious mental and physical challenge tinged with leadership, followship, camaraderie and teamwork. Around 300 air cadets from across the country participated, with the RAFAC Commandant Air Cmdr. Al Lewis doing his usual round of selfies. Well done to Sgt G on collaring him for a where is 1368 Sqn's building photo. Huge physical achievement with a lots of training build-up but lots of friendships from the shared experience, time chatting, singing and digging deep. Resilience and mental fortitude. Good for athletics distance fitness and Gold DofE prep, no doubt, or material for writing English stories. Well done. Both are mentioned in dispatches for their achievements. Also a couple of staff members helping. RAF Walking and Road Marching Association https://rafwarma.org.uk

Last weekend saw first 1368 expedition weekend of the season with 2 groups exploring the wilds of the Shropshire Hills AONB. Pre-Easter planning proved useful and great that we got 8 assessed through their exped plus 4 more through a Practice including a Yr10 newbie, maximising what we needed to do. Some impressive personal resilience, great teamwork shown.  Two cadets from 2286 also joined. Looking forward to the group presentation to find out what "the nugget" got up to ;-) 

Cdt B was OC's COTM for last month. A high-flying cadet, his keenness and thoughts for others being primary factors, esp. his signing up for ex-1368 OC Wg Cdr Dawe's funeral.

Easter hols saw us finishing-off blue leadership and attempting band finish-offs. Great success with blue leadership, badges to come though. Well done to Cdt C on passing Blue Badge band (marching drums) with sustained engagement and high attendance. Some photos also of first class, senior and master badge passes as cadets move up a level. Silver group did stove safety refresher ahead of exped.