Cadet150 Queen's Birthday Flight
Paul Rodwell,
15 June 2010
As part of the Cadet150 celebrations the combined cadet organisations were given a chance to take part in the annual fly past for the Queen on her birthday. This year the fly past took place on Saturday 12th June, and was a rare opportunity for 25 cadets from Oxfordshire ACF to try something different.
The day started early, the first pick up being at 0630, as we had to be at RAF Brize Norton for 0830. Good time was made and we duly arrived at Brize and met up with cadets from the CCF, ATC and Sea Cadets. Having passed through the main gate we were directed to the terminal to join our aircraft. With good military organisation we were soon through the security and waiting in the lounge. As per civilian airports we had a couple of hours to wait however there was no duty free shopping!! Not to worry - high spirits, excitement and playing 'escape the RAF reporter' made time quickly fly by. At around 1100 we were directed to some coaches which swiftly took us to the waiting aircraft, an RAF Tristar. As we boarded we were handed mystery white boxes, but told not to open them. On sitting down the cadets did as expected, they opened the boxes! Not to worry it was lunch, not the horror bags we are used to and not frozen.
We were welcomed on board by both captain and cabin crew, who told us that we would first fly to a holding position over the East Anglian coast for the other aircraft to join us. It was time for take off. The cabin was tense with excitement and some nerves as a number of cadets had never flown before. Not to worry though, the aircraft was soon airbourne and away. Unlike a civilian aircraft, once we leveled out at approx 3000 feet we were told we could freely move around and visit the flight deck. Everyone got up and a queue soon formed.
As the Tristar flew to the holding position it was joined by 2 Tornado GR4s, each of which took up a holding position on a wing and stayed there as if glued in position. Once at the holding area we were joined by the other aircraft. Unfortunatly due to distance we could only see the 2 VC10's and at a stretch 2 Typhoons and 2 Tornado F3s. Once all aircraft were in position we made our way to London and Buckingham Palace. Not a lot to say here as at 2000 feet aircraft cover a lot of ground in a short time. We did manage to see some of the sights flash by though and the RAF was spot on time for the Queen.
Back to Brize, and on to more fun. We were fortunate to be invited to the Brize families day by the station commander. This event consisted of lots of stalls and aircraft displays, both static and flying. Lots for the cadets to do and try. The finale to the day was a dramatic display from the Red Arrows, very impressive indeed.
1800 and now time to go home. It was a long day but all faces were still smiling and conversation as lively as at any time during the day.
This was an excellent day and a fantastic event to be a part of. Thanks must be given to the RAF and all at Brize Norton for allowing us to celebrate 150 years of cadets in such a special way, and for all their enthusiasm and help throughout.
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