886 (City of Ripon) Squadron
From Air Training Corps Wiki
| Courage & Determination | |
 886 Squadron Crest | |
| Founded: | 23 May 1983 |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Address: | Cadet Centre, Clotherholme Road Ripon, North Yorkshire |
| Grid Ref: | SE295717 |
| Website: | http://www.886.org.uk |
| Command Structure | |
| Commanding Officer: | Flt Lt Chris Crebbin RAF VR(T) |
| Wing: | Central and East Yorkshire Wing |
| Wing HQ: | RAF Linton-on-Ouse |
| Parade Nights | |
| Tuesday | 19:00 - 21:00 |
| Friday | 19:00 - 21:00 |
886 (City of Ripon) Squadron is a squadron of the Air Training Corps, based in Ripon, North Yorkshire. 886 is a rural squadron, with a comparatively small complement of cadets.
Contents |
[edit] Command Structure
The squadron is part of Central and East Yorkshire Wing along with twenty-one other squadrons. The current commanding officer is Flt Lt Chris Crebin who took over command of the squadron in early February 2007 when the previous commanding officer Flt Lt Jack Towes was transfered to 58 (Harrogate) Squadron.
[edit] Current Staff
The officers are supported by six civilian instructors, the squadron padre and a civilian committee.
| Rank | Name |
| Flt Lt | Chris Crebbin |
| A/Sgt | Wayne Cobbett |
| CI | Peter Astbury |
| CI | Richard Bacon |
| CI | Louise Silkstone |
| CI | Carina Tait |
[edit] History
[edit] Detatched Flight
Ripon detatched flight was formed in 1979 as a detatched flight of 1953 (Knaresborough) Squadron with Flt Lt Keith Fiddler as the first commanding officer. Since being formed, Ripon has been a detatched flight of 1029 (Thirsk) Squadron and of 58 (Harrogate) Squadron, eventually becoming a squadron in its own right in 1983.
[edit] Squadron
In 1982 Flt Lt Jerry Kemp took command and then on 23 May 1983[1], 886 squadron was established, taking it's squadron number from the year in which the city of Ripon recieved its Royal Charter (AD 886). The squadron badge depicts the city's horn. The hornblower is a civic position and accompanies the city's Mayor on all official engagements.
Flt Lt Richard Goodier took command in 1984 after Flt Lt Kemp's departure, who commanded the squadron until he was temporarily posted to Knaresborough squadron in 1986 later returning to resume command in 1988. Richard Goodier remained in command until 1997 when his wife Flt Lt Anne Goodier took command. Both Goodiers retired from uniformed service in 2002 when Flt Lt Jack Towse took over. Richard Goodier is now civilian committee chairman. More recently Flt Lt Chris Crebbin took command to replace Flt Lt Towse when he moved to Harrogate squadron in February 2007.
At one time Ripon squadron headquarters were at the Territorial Army (TA) building in the centre of Ripon, but the squadron was forced to move when the TA Centre was closed. After the closure of the centre a purpose built cadet centre was built on Clotherholme Road.
The squadron is now based on the premises that were built for them on clotherholme road on land owned by the nearby Claro Barracks. They currently share the building with the local Detachment of the Army Cadet Force.
The squadron will be celebrating its 25th anniversary on 23 May 2008.
[edit] Parade Nights
The squadron parades between 19:00 and 21:30 every Tuesday and Friday night on purpose built premises, which they share with the Army Cadets near the army barracks on Clotherholme road in Ripon.
[edit] Training Program
The training program can be broken down in to the following areas:
[edit] Adventure & Leadership Training
[edit] Lessons
As required cadets follow the standard ATC syllabus to allow them to pass the necessary exams to allow them to progress through the classification structure and to develop a working knowledge of aviation and the British Armed Forces.
[edit] Projects
Cadets need to complete a set number of hours of project work in addition to passing exams in order to progress through the classification structure.
[edit] Sports
The main sports played on squadron are volleyball and soccer. CI Roberts has responsibility for sports training on squadron and regular visits to the gym at RAF Linton-On-Ouse are arranged to allow training to take place.
[edit] Duke of Edinburgh's Award
886 Squadron is actively involved with the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme (D of E). CI Astbury is responsible for organising and coordinating Award activities within the squadron.
At Wing level D of E is coordiated by the Wing D of E Officer.
[edit] Drill
Drill refers to the sycronous movements made by a group of cadets on a parade. Drill is an important part of life in the military and so it forms a large part of the training programme within the ATC. All cadets are taught basic drill from the moment they join the ATC.
Within 886 Squadron drill is taught by the Cadet NCOs. The squadron also takes part in the annual Drill Competition at Wing Training Day.
[edit] Shooting
Cadets are taught how to safely handle and fire a variety of weapons during their service with the ATC. The primary weapon used by the corps, and the squadron, is the No 8 rifle.
With no Range Certified Officer based on the squadron it has been difficult in recent years to arrange regular shooting for cadets. However staff are borrowed from other squadrons on occassion to allow cadets to pass their Weapons Handling Tests and cadets regular take advatange of opportunities to shoot at annual camps.
[edit] External Link
[edit] Notes
- ↑ Queen Elizabeth II, Royal Warrant establishing 886 Ripon Squadron, HMSO, 1983-05-23.
