Grooming them young: Air Cadets complete third successful year
10:21am on Thursday 21st October 2010
The word ‘cadet’ is in the minds of many Sri Lankans, synonymous with school boys and girls who aspire to join the forces. Traditionally, the perception was to consider all cadets as under one training programme. A little known fact however, is that since three years ago, the National Cadet Corps placed a significant step towards the future in recognizing the need for specialized training. The result of which is the formulation of the Air Wing of Air Cadets.
The formulation of the Air Wing was the brainchild of Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse. Meanwhile its implementation and guidelines for progression were done with the expertise of the Director of the National Cadet Corps (NCC), Major General GBW Jayasundara RSP RWP.
Dating back to 22 March, 2007, the Air Wing of the NCC saw its commencement with the recruitment of Air Cadets from two of the leading boys’ schools in the island, St. Peter’s College and Royal College. The recruited flights had their first camping experience for a period of seven constructive days from 08-15 October 2007, at the National Cadet Corps Training Institution at Rantabe, named after the founder of NCC, Hermann Loos.
The female Air Cadets made their foray in to the Air Wing of the NCC in 2008 with the launching of the Stage III evaluation camp, conducted under a five year plan. They participated in a comprehensive camping session conducted yet again in the home of the cadets, Rantabe from 28 June to 05 July, 2008.
The Air Wing had a consistent routine of training all through year 2009 and 2010, with camps being held for both male and female Air Cadets in the days of late July to early August. Presently, the NCC has 50 flights of male Air Cadets and 39 flights of female Air Cadets.
All Cadets undergo practical and theoretical training in the following: Physical Fitness, Foot Drill, Weapon Training and Firing, Map Reading, Field Craft, First Aid, Regimental Duties, Confidence Building Course, Leadership Activities, Fire Fighting, Community Service, General Knowledge, Drama and Hut Inspection.
As a result of having a separate Wing of Air Cadets, these young men and women have the opportunity to receiving specialized training under instructors form the Sri Lanka Air Force. Schools in different parts of the island are over seen by SLAF instructors from the relevant areas. This will no doubt provide them with an invaluable experience to decide on their future career options and to be ready to face the many challenges ahead.
The Air Cadets will get ample opportunity to put their talents to test at the Hermann Loos Challenge Trophy that will kicked off this week which will commence from 18-25 October 2010. The Air Wing is presently under competent leadership of Squadron Leader Jinendra Ranasinghe who recently took office in this position. Together with this rejuvenated spirit of direction, it will be an enthusiastic group of Air Cadets who will take the field to display skills of excellence.
The formulation of the Air Wing was the brainchild of Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse. Meanwhile its implementation and guidelines for progression were done with the expertise of the Director of the National Cadet Corps (NCC), Major General GBW Jayasundara RSP RWP.
Dating back to 22 March, 2007, the Air Wing of the NCC saw its commencement with the recruitment of Air Cadets from two of the leading boys’ schools in the island, St. Peter’s College and Royal College. The recruited flights had their first camping experience for a period of seven constructive days from 08-15 October 2007, at the National Cadet Corps Training Institution at Rantabe, named after the founder of NCC, Hermann Loos.
The female Air Cadets made their foray in to the Air Wing of the NCC in 2008 with the launching of the Stage III evaluation camp, conducted under a five year plan. They participated in a comprehensive camping session conducted yet again in the home of the cadets, Rantabe from 28 June to 05 July, 2008.
The Air Wing had a consistent routine of training all through year 2009 and 2010, with camps being held for both male and female Air Cadets in the days of late July to early August. Presently, the NCC has 50 flights of male Air Cadets and 39 flights of female Air Cadets.
All Cadets undergo practical and theoretical training in the following: Physical Fitness, Foot Drill, Weapon Training and Firing, Map Reading, Field Craft, First Aid, Regimental Duties, Confidence Building Course, Leadership Activities, Fire Fighting, Community Service, General Knowledge, Drama and Hut Inspection.
As a result of having a separate Wing of Air Cadets, these young men and women have the opportunity to receiving specialized training under instructors form the Sri Lanka Air Force. Schools in different parts of the island are over seen by SLAF instructors from the relevant areas. This will no doubt provide them with an invaluable experience to decide on their future career options and to be ready to face the many challenges ahead.
The Air Cadets will get ample opportunity to put their talents to test at the Hermann Loos Challenge Trophy that will kicked off this week which will commence from 18-25 October 2010. The Air Wing is presently under competent leadership of Squadron Leader Jinendra Ranasinghe who recently took office in this position. Together with this rejuvenated spirit of direction, it will be an enthusiastic group of Air Cadets who will take the field to display skills of excellence.
