NSCnews Online nscOctober_2017 | Page 24

No 1 WING AIR FORCE CADETS Junior General Service Training C ADETS from 1 Wing Australian Air Force Cadets spent the fi rst week of their school holidays experiencing life on a working Air Force base. The 116 fi rst-year cadets, assisted by 25 cadet staff and 18 adult staff spent eight days at RAAF Base Townsville for the Wing’s 2017 Junior General Service Training (JGST) camp. The JGST camp gives new cadets an insight into the Australian Air Force Cadets and into a working Air Force base. During the week cadets got to experience simulated weapons training with the Steyr rifl e in the Weapons Training Simulation System at Lavarack Barracks. They enjoyed air experiences through fl ights in a C130 Hercules aircraft from 37Sqn and the Army’s MRH-90 from 5Avn Regt. They visited museums at Jezzine Barracks and RAAF Base Townsville as well as 38Sqn. The Combat Survival Training School, Air Services Australia, and Military Working Dogs all mounted displays for the cadets. But the week on base wasn’t all fun. Interspersed with their visits and experiences, they had lectures and examinations in aviation knowledge and honed their drill. They did their own washing and ironing, made their own beds, and kept their accommodation clean and tidy which, for many, was a new experience. The week culminated in a Banner Review Parade viewed by parents and family during which cadets were inspected by OC 1 Wing, WGCDR(AAFC) Paul De Boom. This year’s JGST provided experiences not previously available on JGST camps. A successful JGST is not possible without the co-operation of the various units on RAAF Base Townsville and 1 Wing appreciates the co-operation and input from these units year after year. JGST requires a lot of organisation and work by 1 Wing’s Training Cell and by the staff in the Air Force Liaison Offi cer’s offi ce, but camps like this improve the cadets’ experience. CDT Natalee Olver (108Sqn Charters Towers) with Tina CDT Luca, 15, (107Sqn Innisfail) with Deborah and Taylah, 11, Steinhofer 24 | OCTOBER 2017