Arrived at Halton

So I've arrived at RAF for 15 days of basic training.

I arrived about 5:30 as its not far from home, just a short drive up the A41 and I arrived just in time to catch the welcome brief attended by just 7 of the course. We were given some info on the course and shown how to lay our kit out in the locker as well as receiving our initial orders for the morning start at 07:30.

People have continued to arrive right up to 10 o'clock as some have travelled a considerable distance after a days work. All 8 of my squadron are here along with another 18 from various other squadrons. It was nice to see some familiar faces again.

The block is as expected. An old building on 3 floors with my block on the 1st floor. A metal bed and mattress sheets and pillows and a combination of lockers.

Dinner was not supplied on the first night so it was back in the car and off to the local town for a curry. Not what I had expected on the first night.

So day 1 tomorrow starts with inspection and then a General Service Knowledge test. A little bit of revision before bed then. A couple of days of classroom work on threats follows then Rifle training, first aid ( hopefully not in that order) respirator training and then a night in the field and that's it all done.

11:30 and I'm set for bed but it looks like I'll be helping my block mates get their kit finished as some of them are still ironing. Until tomorrow .....

Dave (AC Beatley)