CCF Success at National Air Squadron Trophy Competition

Many hours of training and practice reaped rewards for the young team from the RAF Section of our CCF at the National Air Squadron Trophy Competition, held at RAF Wittering last weekend.

They had put in a considerable amount of time and effort earlier this year while training for the regional round and, after their success there, their skills across the wide range of required activities were carefully honed for the next stage.  

Both the main team and the reserves worked with dedication and enthusiasm, preparing each of the individual categories of the competition, with assessments in Drill, First Aid, Shooting, Aircraft Recognition and General Service Knowledge. These all build out of the regular Friday evening training, but a much higher level of knowledge and expertise is needed. Their attention was particularly focused on perfecting every move of the drill routine as they went through the motions together, both during CCF and after school each week. They also built up their teamwork and thinking skills by completing several Leadership and Command Tasks in preparation for the competition itself.  

Faced with several unplanned and unexpected surprises, the team took stock, regrouped, and adapted quickly to cover all bases, putting all their energy into the competition even after the last available reserve stepped into the team. The adult staff with them on both competition days, as well as those who supported them from school and home, were incredibly proud of their achievements and how far they had come since the beginning of the school year. Through their ambition, resilience, creativity, humility, and mutual support, they truly had fought through hardship to the stars.