British cadets nurture 'spirit of adventure' at Ramstein

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Amanda Dick
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany (AFNS) --  England's Air Training Corps sent numerous cadets to Ramstein Air Base in July in hopes to guide their cadets "to foster the spirit of adventure and develop qualities of leadership and good citizenship."

As one of the goals for cadets according to the Air Cadet Organization's Web site, cultivating this spirit involves summer camps held throughout England, but sometimes cadets have the chance to travel to other countries. 

British cadets learned how the U.S. Air Force operates with a tour of a C-130 Hercules as well as participated in hands-on activities pertaining to certain Air Force specialties in a weeklong summer camp in Germany. Other  activities the cadets experienced were driving a bulldozer and Humvee, and wearing explosive ordnance disposal suits.

"It was quite fun, but it's so heavy and it weighs down," said Corporal Charlotte Bennetts who got to put on an EOD suit. "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 children off the streets and helps them become good citizens, according to Royal Air Force Flight Lieutenant Stephen Allen, a volunteer officer with the ATC.

"We want them to get as good a life experience as possible," he said. "They learn leadership skills, socialization skills and skills for life."

Staff Sgt. Edward Albietz, an 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."

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 NCO Academy at Kapaun Air Station, Germany, to challenge American cadets at warrior training and later barbeque, play volleyball and bowl with their American counterparts.