AAFC News

Winter Bivouac

From the 19th to the 21st of July, the Australian Air Force Cadets of 414 Squadron attended their annual Winter Bivouac at Upper Beaconsfield. 

For 3 days, 1st year cadets camped in 12-person tents in the Australian bush. As well as practising and developing their fieldcraft skills by moving amongst the landscape, they worked on their teamwork and leadership skills by doing a range of activities. This included a Rogaine, where cadets orienteered their way around the bush with only a compass and a map, using radios to keep in contact with HQ, a ropes course, cooking a meal with a ration pack, and countless other fieldcraft activities that worked on personal development and confidence.

 

 

Just down the road, the 2nd year cadets completed a survival camp! After splitting into small groups, the cadets chose an area in which they designed and constructed their own shelter, built and ignited their own fire, found their own food and water using only the natural resources around them! They also performed challenges to earn food and water, learning new things along the way on how to survive in the Australian bush with minimal recourses.

The 3rd years and above truly exercised their leadership in planning, co-ordinating and running the camp. Some were overseeing survival, some were looking after 1st year activities, some were in charge of the kitchen and cooking meals. Every movement was planned and prepared by students, for students.

414’s annual Winter Bivouac was a massive success and we look forward to our next camp, the Sectional Challenge in September!