...2F's terrific transatlatic trip
Report: FLT LT SIMON COOPER
Pictures: SQN LDR JEREMY DAVIES and FLT LT SIMON COOPER
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Air Training Corps cadets and staff from Watford have recently returned from a truly memorable trip to visit the Falkland Islands.
The 14 cadets and staff from 2F (Watford) Squadron made the 18 hour, 8,000 mile trip from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, via Ascension Island, landing at Mount Pleasant Airport (MPA) on West Falkland on 3rd September. The flight was met around 50 minutes out from the Islands by two Tornado F3 aircraft which were on patrol at the time. The jets escorted the airliner to Mount Pleasant on each wing tip.
The trip was supported by the current Commander British Forces South Atlantic Islands: Air Commodore Gordon Moulds CBE FRAeS RAF, who is the previous Commandant Air Cadets and is now President of Herts and Bucks Wing, enabled the cadets and staff to visit many of the historical and environmental sites throughout the islands whilst experiencing the different military units stationed on the islands.
Day one saw the cadets visit the resident Tornado Air Defence unit, 1435 Flight. There they were

shown around the Quick Reaction Aircraft on station and introduced to the role of the flight in providing Air Defence to the islands.
Day two started with a VC-10 flight around the islands. Whilst on the trip, the flight was joined by two Tornados which underwent air to air refuelling from the venerable airliner. The cadets were allowed access to the flight deck and chatted with the RAF crew flying the sortie. This was the first time that any of the cadets had experienced this. Cadet Corporal Calvin Chan, 16, said:
“It was an amazing experience to fly that low in such a big plane, I was impressed to see the aircraft flying that close”.
Following the trip, the jet carried out a low level pass of the capital Stanley, and a trip around the islands at around 2,000 feet giving spectacular views of the hills and hamlets of both East and West Falklands.
Once back on the ground they moved onto Goose Green, the scene of the famous battle in the 1982 conflict between occupying Argentine forces and the men from No 2 Parachute Regiment. The trip included a battlefield tour of the area and a visit to the memorial to where Lt Col ‘H’ Jones fell whilst storming an Argentine trench, subsequently being awarded the posthumous Victoria Cross. The cadets and staff also visited the hamlet of Goose Green and spoke with two survivors who were hel

d by the Argentine forces in the village hall along with the 115 residents. The trip was very moving, hearing of the plight of the islanders.
Following this, the trip moved onto Port San Carlos, the scene of the initial landings by the liberating British Forces on the 12 May 82. The British Cemetery now overlooks the location the troops landed and is where many of the British troops are buried, including Lt Col Jones.
Cadet Warrant Officer Ross Drummond, 19, said
“The visit to the British memorial at San Carlos was memorable for all the cadets and staff. It held a personal realisation for me, looking towards a career in the Royal Marines, as I saw the headstone of a young marine, who fought and fell in the 1982 conflict. He was the same age as I am now. There was an appreciation by all of what it must feel like for British troops currently serving in theatres across the globe. Being so far away from home in very remote areas and facing extremely rough environments. It is an experience I will never forget.”
On the Sunday, the group travelled by Sea King helicopter to Volunteer Point. The area has a two mile, white sandy beach and is home to more than 1,000 king penguins and 1,500 gentoo penguins. To see the penguins in their natural habitat and to get as close to the animals was truly a spectacular experience. A lot of the penguins were out fishing whilst the cadets visited, but this did allow them to be observed swimming and rushing ashore to feed the chicks all huddled together in the sand dunes. Cadet Sergeant Louise Mangion, 17, said
“It was the most amazing experience ever, I can’t believe how close we got to such a large group of totally wild penguins! Some were even more inquisitive of us than we were of them!”On the Monday there was a trip to the 1312 Flight to take a tour of the mighty C-130K Hercules stationed at Mount Pleasant Airport. A brief on the role of the aircraft in the islands was followed by a guided tour by the Loadmaster and Pilot. Then it was on to the location of the Resident Rapier Battery

operated by the Royal Artillery. A demonstration of the surface to air defence system was followed by an opportunity to load dummy missiles onto the system.
On Tuesday, it was back to the Hercules aircraft for a flight around the islands. The flight enabled the cadets and staff to walk out onto the open ramp at the rear of the aircraft, a truly memorable (and fairly nerve-wracking) experience. Around 30 minutes into the flight, there was again an escort by two Tornado F3 jets, which were on patrol. This enable outstanding photography opportunities as the jets flew in formation with the C-130.
Cadet Corporal Demi Cheek, 16, commented:
“It was unbelievable to think people do this, and get paid! I can’t believe I was able to stand on the ramp at 2,000 feet. What an experience!”
Following this, the resident Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit gave a demonstration of their equipment and role and then allowed the cadets to experience their Scimitar armoured vehicle as it drove around a training area. After this, it was on to Stanley, the capital city of the islands, and Hillside Camp, where the Stanley EOD unit is based.

On the Wednesday, a leadership exercise and low ropes course was set up by the resident physical training instructors and, following lunch, the group moved to Mount Harriet. This was the scene of a battle between 42 Commando, Royal Marines, and the men of 4th Infantry Regiment of the Argentine Army. The tour showed the site of the battle that took place on the night of 11th June 1982. The trip allowed the cadets to see first hand how difficult the terrain coupled with the poor weather would have hampered the efforts of the Royal Marines. Trenches are still visible on the top of the mount, and various artefacts are still present for all to see. Pilot Officer Tracy Hider said:
“Climbing Mount Harriet
enabled us to visualise the situation the 42 Commando faced in 1982. The resilience of our military made us feel very proud of there actions.”
Thursday, was 2F’s last day on the Islands and, following a visit to the Falklands Museum, the cadets and staff paid their respects to the fallen in an act of remembrance by laying a wreath at the war memorial. Cadet Corporal Sam Ginger, 16, following a minute’ silence, placed the wreath on behalf of the Squadron at the base of the memorial. From here, the group moved on to Bluff Cove, the scene of the largest loss of British lives in the conflict when the RFA ships Sir Galahad and Sir Tristrum whilst anchored in the waters were attacked by and Argentine air raid. The attack left 48 dead including 32 Welsh Guardsmen. The group saw for themselves the memorials to all who died in the bay on that day on 8th June 1982.
On the Friday, it was with sadness that the 2F party left the Falklands. In a ten day period, the cadets and staff had experienced so much, met some truly outstanding and dedicated individuals and had an absolutely amazing time. The 18 hour flight (with the unique red hot paninis) followed before the final return to RAF Brize Norton.

Flight Lieutenant Simon Cooper, Officer Commanding 2F (Watford) Squadron said:
“This was truly an outstanding visit which I know we will all fondly remember for years to come. We have all learnt so much more about the islands, and the men and women who have ‘defended the right’ since 1982, some paying the ultimate sacrifice. The hospitality we received by the personnel from Mount Pleasant Airport was second to none, with the visit only enhanced by the characters we met. It would take me a long time to list them all, but I know we are all truly grateful to them! Thank you.” .
Squadron Leader Jerry Davies WSO said of the trip, "this visit was a truly memorable experience. To have sat on a beech with Penguins and visit places that I had heard of as a young cadet myself was amaizing. The visits to the memorials and cairns at the battlefield sites of Goose Green, Mount Harriet and San Carlos were very moving. I hope that others will be able to enjoy the same experince through future visits to this unique place."
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PICTURE CAPTIONS: Cpl Calvin Chan meets the penguins; 2) The cadets on Volunteer Beach; 3) On the EOD armoured vehicle; 4) A picture of a Tornado F3 taken from the C130; 5) Cadets on the ramp of the C130; 6) The Scimitar demonstrates its off-road capability - with cadets on board; 7) Cadets on Mount Harriet; 8) The Stanley memorial