Annual Easter Camp
A report on Eater Camp held at RAF Leuchars in Fife by Sergeant Scott Gralko.
Today SGT Gralko headed off to camp at RAF Leuchars in Fife, below is his report and soe photos from the camp.
On Wednesday 5th April 2006 I headed down to Wing HQ for my fifth annual camp so far. I knew a few people from previous camps so I was excited about meeting them again and looking forward to meeting some new friends as well. I arranged to meet with IFS Staunton from 62 Sqn and Cpl Hogg from 2166 at the gate and as usual I arrived early and had to wait on them.
Before we even arrived at RAF Leuchars I knew this was going to be an excellent camp; for a start the staff line-up looked fantastic, many I had encountered from my previous camps, Sqn Ldr Haley as Camp Commandant, a long with Flt Lt Herd, Flt Lt McMillan, Fg Off Nicholls and the legend that is AWO Lucas! Also joining us for the week were Fg Off McIllroy, Plt Off Brown, AWO Jenkins and ASGT’s Dale and Miller. Later in the week we were joined by CI Dave McGill; so on the staff front we were in for a good week.
Of course the most important aspect of an annual camp is the cadets and we had an excellent crowd! Twenty-five cadets and nine NCO’s. After the short journey up we arrived at the main gate and were met by Flt Lt Herd and in his usual fashion asked, ‘Are we having fun yet?’ This is his favourite phrase, used on many occasions throughout the week. We had the usual fire, security and behaviour briefs; introduction to the staff and then to lunch!
After lunch we got unpacked and settled in, everyone waiting in anticipation for the Fam. Ex.! After this we had free time and got to know each other and our flight members; I was in command of A Flight; helping me were Cpl Hogg (2166 sqn), Cpl ‘Cheesy’ or ‘Checkers’ McChesney(32F sqn) and Cpl ‘Jailbait’ Cairns(1777 sqn).
The week was fantastic, despite the icy wind and the odd shower the weather was fine. The programme was varied with activities such as, visits to Edinburgh, HMS Discovery, Swimming pool, Leadership, Drill, PT and of course the usual ATC activities; flying, shooting, section visits etc. Special to this camp is we all got flights in Gazelle Helicopters courtesy of 3 Flt AAC. Also myself and Cdt Argo from 2452 sqn thought we were in for a treat when we won a quiz and were told we were being rewarded with a flight in a Tornado F3! (simulator that is …) but on arrival to the flight sim we were shocked to hear there had been a double booking and other cadets had already arrived! The closest we would get to fighter jet pilots this week would be to watch from the screens; and to make matters worse these other cadets were from the CCF! It was a good day none the less and fun to watch.
During our vist to Edinburgh Cpl Jailbait bought a Scotland flag for a car window, but I suggested a better use for it. As you will know the staion commander on any RAF Station has a pennent flying on the frontof his car so I thought lets give Sqn Ldr Haley one! We waited until he had gone for dinner and then popped it on, he found it funny and I think he kept it. (See picture) Also this camp was different as we had a visit from Wing Commander Campbell, OC Glasgow & W. Scotland Wing, he was with us on Saturday and Sunday.
The week went so fast and before I knew it I found myself packing my case and getting ready for the end of camp disco, but things were to get worse. As is typical with annual camps and Sqn Ldr Haley, certificates of ‘Survival’ were given to each cadet to mark that they had made it through the week with Jim Haley in command. Unfortunately my ‘Best Cadet’ title that I gained at Easter Camp with Sqn Ldr Haley last year was stolen by Cpl Cheesy! I think it’s a conspiracy as Sqn Ldr Haley is ex-CO of 32F Sqn…
After all the formalities and prizes were given, ‘Big Jim’ took the floor once again and told us all something I can only describe as a big shock! He announced AWO Bert Lucas’s retirement from uniform! He had decided that the time had come to call it a day as AWO and leave behind the thing he loved, the ATC! The staff bought him an engraved silver tankard and an emotional Bert Lucas stood up, ‘You are the prime of this countries youth, there is no one like you. Get as much out of this wonderful organisation as you can! I hope any meeting I have had with any of you have been a positive experience and I wish you every success, thank you very much!’ I looked around the room and everyone, even the first time campers, were silent, no one knew what to do … I looked at FS Staunton and almost simultaneously we stood up and started the applause. Singing followed, ‘For he’s a jolly good fellow …’ and ‘There’s only one Bert Lucas …’ Myself and the other NCO’s gathered up all the cadets and ask for donations from them to go towards a present from the cadets, we couldn’t have asked for more! We raised over £50! We went to the guardroom and we got a few things, an Zippo lighter engraved with the station crest, a framed cloth station crest, a half-ounce of tobacco and a tin of light fluid. All the NCO’s signed the back of the framed crest with a personal message and we presented it to him just before we left.
Easter camp at RAF Leuchars was my best camp so far, and I can’t wait until my next camp to see how it compares.
P.S. Thanks to Sgt Turner for pulling out!
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