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Horsham Air Training Corps

1015 Squadron in The Drill Hall, Horsham (©Alan Wright/AAH)

Published on 1st July 2022.

1015 (Horsham) is one of over 1,000 squadrons in the Air Training Corps located around the country. Similar in structure to 11 Platoon Horsham (supported by the Army) and the Horsham Sea Cadets (the Navy), the 1015 Squadron is funded and supported by the Royal Air Force (RAF) as well as the Ministry of Defence (MOD), giving young people the opportunity to learn new skills such as fieldcraft and first aid while also helping them to become more confident, disciplined individuals. 

The Horsham squadron meets on Tuesday and Thursday evenings in Duke’s Square (behind the Drill Hall), where cadets aged 13 – 18 take part in a wide range of activities. Founded shortly after the Air Training Corps was formed in 1947, 1015 is one of the most successful in the region and continues to attract high numbers of recruits. It was recently nominated as the Best Squadron in Sussex Wing and AAH’s visit coincided with an inspection by the Regional Commandant. 

Flight Lieutenant Chris Butler, Commanding Officer of 1015 Squadron, said: “We are strong in terms of numbers as we offer a varied programme with our indoor rifle range, aviation simulator, first aid training, outdoor excursions and countless activities related to teamwork and leadership skills. We welcome new recruits twice a year and filled 40 places last time around, which is as many as we can manage. Most join through positive word-of-mouth, often at the recommendation of friends, and we have a very good retention rate. The standards are high and 1015 performs well against other squadrons in cadet sports and Wing Adventure Training competitions.” 

“Our success is down not only to the cadets, but also the adult volunteers who devote time to the training and supervision of the cadets, as Officers or Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs). I served in 3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment (3 PARA) but have been involved with the air cadets for more than 20 years now, firstly in Kensington and now in Horsham, as I find it very rewarding.”

TARGET SHOOTING

Cadet activities range from drills and parades - which help instil discipline - to adventure training with orienteering, rock climbing and kayaking. 1015’s base near the town centre also has its own 25m indoor shooting range, used to train cadets how to use an air rifle or L144 A1 small-bore rifle, under the strict supervision of qualified staff. 

Flight Lieutenant Rex Nicholls said: “The cadets are trained by qualified arms instructors and have to pass a weapons handling test prior to using the indoor military ranges. Using the air rifle or a small-bore rifle, they gradually increase speed and accuracy to earn the marksman’s badge. Once they’re ready, cadets can undertake further training with a target rifle at one of the purpose-built ranges at MoD bases.” 

“When I first joined 1015 Squadron, I was very shy,” she said. “But Air Cadets gives you confidence and that impacts all aspects of your life. Camps are one of my favourite things, but even coming along to regular nights for leadership training is fun, as you get to see all your friends. The Sussex Wing annual parade at Thorney Island is great too, as you meet hundreds of cadets from other squadrons and there’s lots of different activities to try.”

THROUGH THE RANKS

New recruits are identified by a camouflaged cap. Usually they attend an Open Evening and during their first few months will learn how to perform drill as a squadron, as well as basic navigation, aviation and radio communications. They are then enrolled as a member of the Air Training Corps and issued with a uniform, after which they can gain badges for disciplines and activities. From Cadet Corporal, they can progress to Cadet Sergeant, Cadet Flight Sergeant and finally Cadet Warrant Officer (CWO). This is a role currently fulfilled by cadets including Téa Dock and Jacob Denhart. 

Téa said: “I’ve been with 1015 for nearly six years and have progressed through the ranks. The process is quite rigorous, with formal interviews with senior officers, and you take on extra responsibilities too. As well as attending on Tuesday and Thursday nights, I’m often here at other times helping to train junior NCOs and my weekends are dominated by cadet activities. I didn't have ambitions to join the Armed Forces when I first joined the cadets but now I have, having flown a glider twice and sat in a Chinook helicopter! I hope the RAF or Royal Navy can fund a university scholarship and perhaps I can study medicine.”

Jacob has a long-held ambition to join the Royal Marines as an Officer and is studying hard to achieve his dream. Whatever happens, he will always be grateful to 1015 Squadron. “It took a while for me to get into the swing of things, but I have changed a lot from when I first joined. I needed a little direction and 1015 has given me that.” 

Further information: www.horshamaircadets.org