On a sunny Sunday in April, the staff and cadets of 211 (Newbury) Squadron went to Otmoor Range in Oxfordshire to train and shoot the Cadet Target Rifle, the L81.

As well as cadets from Newbury Squadron, cadets and staff from all over Thames Valley Wing came along to take part in their Rifle Handling Test to check their safety drills. Once the cadets were tested and signed off as competant, they took part in a number of range practices.

Those cadets who had passed their Weapons Handling Test on the Cadet General Purpose Rifle (the L98) were also given the opportunity to fire these.

Cadet Pearce who attended the day, and successfully completed his L81 Rifle Handling Test and shot the rifle over 300 yards, said "It was a really good day out and everybody had a good laugh. There was a lot of discipline on the range and the coaches [staff] all helped to improve our shooting - leading to lots of good scores".

Cadet C. Pearce
Media & Communications Project