| Units Present |
|---|
| All ATC and CCF Squadrons |
Report by Cdt Sgt Shanes
Air Cadet 2000 (AC2K) was a unique event for the Air Training Corps and Combined Cadet Force. It was the first time that 1,800 cadets and 200 members of staff from ATC and CCF squadrons across the United Kingdom had joined forces to create the Corps' largest ever camp at RAFC Cranwell in Lincolnshire.
Cadets from England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland all arrived at Cranwell between Tuesday 25th and Wednesday 26th of July 2000. Upon arrival at Cranwell each cadet was issued with a camp bed, assigned a tent number, and informed that there were to be 120 cadets to a tent.
The accommodation was packed and the camp mess turned out to be the Red Arrows hanger, which had been cleared to fit up to 2,000 cadets into if necessary, but despite this there would no doubt be plenty to keep the cadets occupied throughout the week. Some of the events included: Shooting at Beckingham Ranges, Flying in Bulldogs, Vikings, Vigilants, Jetstreams, Grob Tutors and Hot Air Balloons at Cranwell and Syerston, Confidence and Leadership Courses at Proteus Army Camp, and Discos, fun fairs and Swimming available nearly every night.
There was also visits to Duxford Air Museum, RAF Conningsby’s Air Day, a visit to the BBMF, several other museums around the local area and trips around College Hall. The main highlight of the week for most though was the AC2K Air Day, at which Hawks, Harriers, Tornados, a Nimrod, Hercules, Jetstreams, the RAF Falcons and The Red Arrows all provided air displays. There were also static displays which included ground stalls, car displays, RAF Regiment Rapier Missile displays and much more.
The cadets also had the opportunity to watch various presentations by the RAF presentation team and other local presentation groups, as well as being able to take part in the RAFA “It’s a Knockout” event.
There was a small parade which only a few wings attended, during which the Dacre Sword and Brooch were presented to the two best cadets in the Corps. The parading of all wing banners was undertaken in a short church service, which cadets were allowed to attend if they wished.
The overall cost of the camp was £50 for cadets, which included food costs, entrance to museums, accommodation, hire of equipment, group and wing photographs, access to fun fairs and discos, and AC2K memorabilia which included a mug, pen, badge, and cap. The camp photo was an aerial photo of the cadets wearing different coloured caps and standing in the formation of the RAF roundel.