Over the Summer Bank Holiday weekend, 12 cadets & 5 staff members from 211 (Newbury) Squadron embarked on a 3 day survival exercise.

Their aim was simple – to survive using the natural resources available to them – from shelter to water and fire to food – everything had to come from the wilderness.

The exercise was the culmination of a 16 week survival project for the twelve cadets who were taught by the Sgt Luke Pepperell – and it was designed to put all they’ve learned into practice within a safe & controlled environment.

Over the weekend the cadets ate a variety of locally sourced food; including trout, rabbits & crayfish, accompanied by wild fruit, vegetables, mushrooms & “greens” – a mixture of green leaves from a variety of edible plants.

The improvised shelters held out, despite frequent rain showers, ensuring that the cadets kept dry during the day and overnight. The water filters, built by the cadets to purify the water collected from a nearby stream, worked well – and they successfully managed to keep a fire going for the duration of the exercise.

CI Alex Pye who organised the event said “This is one of the most challenging and demanding exercise the cadets go on. They are stripped of all life’s little luxuries and are simply told to survive. After their 16 weeks of training, they quickly established an encampment, lit a fire and setup water filters, and soon they were out and about foraging and hunting food”

“Every single cadet gave 110% - which ensured the success of the exercise. They all pulled together, demonstrating good teamwork skills, as well as a good strength of character”

“Taking the cadets out of their “comfort zone” and exposing them to new, demanding and taxing environments gives them an opportunity to learn about themselves, and others. It’s part of what the Air Training Corps is all about; as our motto goes, Venture Adventure!”