From 16 to 18 March 494 Sqn ran a basic Fieldcraft & Military Skills (F&MS) weekend for units from Essex and Surrey Wings at Bramley Training Area near RAF Odiham. The weekend was attended by:

494 (Stansted Airport) Sqn – Lead Unit
1824 (Saffron Walden) Sqn
276 (Chelmsford) Sqn
308 (Colchester) Sqn
1830 (Tending Hundred) Sqn
999 (Dunmow) Sqn
1207 (Maldon) Sqn
1075 (Camberley) Sqn


90 cadets and 20 directing staff enjoyed a weekend of fieldcraft, including harbour areas and shelter building, camouflage and concealment, patrolling and tactical manoeuvres. Training was progressive and Cadets put their skills into practice on the final afternoon with an exercise in the OBUA (Operations in Built up Areas) village.

Exercise Black Panther I is the first of a number of planned progressive training weekends throughout 2007. Please view pictures of the weekend below.