Cadets and staff from Filton are celebrating after their Drill team were crowned National Drill Champions at RAF Halton for the first time in its history.
The group of teenagers from 2152 (North Bristol) Squadron beat off stiff competition from the best squadrons across the UK to take the top spot by achieving a standard very few squadrons reach.
During the National competition on Saturday 17th November, they were marked by professional Drill Instructors from the Recruit Training Squadron at RAF Halton. The cadets were not only assessed on their standard of drill as a team, but also on their individual bearing and standard of dress.
The team, who qualified for the National Drill Championship in October following their victory at the South West Region competition, having been in training since August and this is only the second time in its history that cadets from the squadron have competed in the National competition. It is also a first for Bristol & Gloucestershire Wing, who have never previously had a squadron take the top title.
Flight Lieutenant Jim Brimble, Officer Commanding, said:
“The cadets have been working hard as for weeks, putting in extra time to make sure that both their uniform and standard of drill were at the very highest. I was present at RAF Halton to watch them compete and I am immensely proud of their achievement – a sentiment that I am sure is shared by all the staff and the other cadets.”
In addition to the team being placed first overall, Cadet Warrant Officer Jenny Simmons took top prize as the best Drill NCO, beating the competition from the six other teams.
Based at Pine Grove in Filton, the squadron caters for approximately 100 young people aged between 13 and 20, by providing a wide variety of activities. If you are aged 13-17, or an adult volunteer interested in joining the air cadet organisation, you can visit www.raf.mod.uk/aircadets to find out more.
Photo: The 2152 (North Bristol) Squadron Cadet Drill Team (CWO Jenny Simmons, Cdt FS Dan Nelson, Cdt Sgt Matilda Parry, Cdt Sgt Ben Rogers, Cdt Sgt Tom Wollacott, Cdt Cpl Daniel Rogers, Cdt Cpl Charlie Bakos, Cdt Cpl Ben Jenkins, Cdt Cpl Tom Dash, Cdt Yusef Yarmohamed, Cdt Lauren Iles, Cdt Asia-Nicole Fellowes, Cdt Hueson Wong, Cdt Chathurya Manchanayke, Cdt Declan Woodhouse and Cdt Joe Tiley) and Squadron Staff (Flt Lt Jim Brimble, WO John Hayes, FS Mat Smeeton, Sgt Stuart Ross and Sgt Lewis Mann) with Commandant of the Air Cadet Organisation, Air Commodore Dawn McCafferty, proudly showing off their trophies from Wing, Region and Corps levels.
