British cadets nurture 'spirit of adventure' at Ramstein

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Amanda Dick
  • Ramstein Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --   "To foster the spirit of adventure and develop qualities of leadership and good citizenship" is just one of the goals the United Kingdom's Air Training Corps hopes to guide their cadets toward, according to the Air Cadet Organization's Web site.

Part of cultivating this spirit involves summer camps held throughout the U.K., but sometimes cadets have the chance to travel to other countries.

Enter Ramstein Air Base. Cadets recently had the special opportunity to see how the U.S. Air Force operates here.

As part of a week-long summer camp in Germany, cadets were provided a tour of a C-130E Hercules aircraft by Staff Sgt. Samuel Nunley, 37th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, as well as participated in hands-on activities pertaining to certain Air Force specialties.

Some of the activities the cadets experienced were driving a bulldozer and a high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle, learning how to keep power going and wearing explosive ordnance disposal suits.

Corporal Charlotte Bennetts, 18, was one of the cadets who got to put on an EOD suit.

"It was quite fun, but it's so heavy and it weighs down," said the cadet from Newcastle, England. "It got a bit scary when I was running up the hill, but it was really cool."

She said she also learned about what it takes to be in EOD.

"You have to have a lot of will power to be able to wear the suits and do the job these men do with explosives. It's quite dangerous," she said.

With members ranging in age from 13 to 20 years, the training corps helps keep kids off the streets and become good citizens, according to Flight Lieutenant Stephen Allen, a volunteer officer with the ATC who also serves in the Royal Air Force.

"We want them to get as good a life experience as possible," said the officer from Glasgow, Scotland. "They learn leadership skills, socialization skills and skills for life."

Staff Sgt. Edward Albietz, 835th Civil Engineer Squadron EOD technician, said he hopes the cadets will understand a little about what's going on downrange after their experience here and, "maybe they'll be interested in this and want to be EOD in the British Army or Air Force."

The Air Training Corps also gives the cadets the chance to make friendships that could last a lifetime, according to Lieutenant Allen. The cadets come from all over the United Kingdom and meet others they never would have otherwise.

The flight lieutenant also said what cadets learn from this program and everything they do is "all positive and it's all great, that's why I do it."

According to Lieutenant Allen, although there are training camps in Great Britain, this was a special event for the cadets as it was the first time many of them had driven heavy-duty equipment or a Humvee and had seen what tasks EOD performs, something that couldn't have happened without the help of the Air Force members stationed here.

"I'm grateful to the military members who gave their time to show the kids what they do in their jobs and for putting their resources out there for the cadets to experience," he added.

Cadets also travelled to the Noncommissioned Officer Academy at Kapaun Air Station, Germany, to challenge American cadets at warrior training and later barbeque, play volleyball and bowl with their American counterparts.

All-in-all activities throughout the week encouraged the "spirit of adventure" and taught the cadets how to be good leaders and good citizens.

To learn more about the Air Cadet Organization, visit their Web site at www.aircadets.org.