CCF RAF Section Summer Camp 1980

RAF Wyton, Huntingdon

Photograph Supplied by Ian Wood.

Back Row

Kevin Desforges, ?, Paul Shenton, Nigel Hinson, John Welsh, Ian Wood, Graeme Flynn, Nick Binks, David Williamson, ?

Front Row

Sarah Jane Fluck, Dawson, King, Paul Sullivan, Richard Bates, Andy Hall, ?, ?

RAF Section

A report on the camp from the 1980 issue of the Bostonian, written by Flt Sgt Kevin Desforges (6G2)

"Rise and shine, campers!" was a familiar order issued by a certain Flt Sgt on bright, crisp mornings at 5:45am. The occasion was the Section's annual camp, this year at RAF Wyton, Huntingdon, which turned out to be a somewhat heated battle between "us" and "them" (the latter being an unfriendly flight of cadets from Portsmouth who became our arch-rivals in the inter-flight competition). Remember C-flight, lads?

This camp, in my opinion, proved to be the highlight of the year for the RAF, being the best camp of recent years. It involved numerous sports activities, initiative exercises, an extensive night exercise (in all of which we triumphed) and also a drill competition, .303 shooting, and orienteering/map exercise, plus much more. The camp had everything and was thoroughly comprehensive, instructive and well-organised.

Also, a very well-received off-station visit was laid on to the American Air Force Base at Alconbury, which provided an interesting insight as to how the other half works. Two other most memorable events occurred, namely the Tug-o'-War competition which brought the inter-flight rivalry to a head - proving that the last flight always wins - and the end of camp/Sgt Hinson's birthday party, which resulted from a sizeable whip-round.

The finishing touches to a most successful camp would have been provided if an overall victory had been recorded, but at the end of the day two points denied the Section its just rewards.