On the 7th of September 2002 0645 hrs cadets starting arriving at the Squadrons HQ and placed their packs in sections where their sections leaders checked packs and disturbed ration packs. Then all the equipment and packs were loaded into the trailer followed by cadets jumping into the vans and settling down for an hour drive to Tongou Valley.

By the time we arrived at the valley the fog had lifted, the sun was shining. The cadets unload the trailer, disturbed the equipment and split into their sections and started down the track within 5 minutes of each other. The tramp in was a good 40 minutes with everyone arriving safely and in one piece. The Squadrons NCO's then briefly went over topics like Safety, 1st Aid, Bush Preservation and Hygiene to refresh the Basic cadets knowledge.

Then the section leaders chose where they were going to set up their campsites and then briefed the section on how and what was going to happen to achieve it. Lunch also happened while they were setting up.

After lunch PLTOFF Frericks took the cadets up stream and split the section groups into areas where they made some traps and snares to catch something from the wild. They had to decide what kind of animal they wanted to catch and what trap or snare they wanted to use.

After the groups had finished their traps U/O Hesketh showed the cadets the area where the night exercise was going to be held and then played spot and seek. While this was happening the other staff was setting up the confidence course for the next day.

Once the cadets finished spot and seek they conducted a 30 second hanging test for the confidence course, which then followed by a practical exercise on using a ration pack done by FGOFF Haig. The cadets were shown the most effected way to use the pack and some tips on how to make the food tasteful and interesting.

It was then food time...Yum! Where they put into practice what they just had learnt.
After dinner the cadets changed into dark and somewhat different looking clothes for the night exercise, which lasted for about an hour. After that it was time for a debrief, cup of warm Milo and off to bed to catch some Zzzzzzzz.

Day two started with a few drips of rain and some breakfast followed by the groups checking their traps and snares. No, they didn't catch anything but fresh morning air; maybe next time.

SQNLDR Quirk then briefed the Squadron on the Ground to Air Signaling exercise with an Aerial Fly Past. The cadets then went and collected wood and leaves for the smoke signal while the staff prepared the fireplace. The cadets then with their raincoats made a "LL" sign (which means "All is Well"). With the wind and low cloud in the valley we decided the plane wasn't coming; but the staff still showed the cadets the effects of how smoke could be used as a signal by placing the leaves on the fire.

After the ground to air signaling it was time for the cadets to do the confidence course. The cadets really enjoyed themselves with some cadets wanting to do the different challenges again and again. A camp photo was made straight after this that was followed by lunch.

After lunch the sections packed up their campsites and headed to the briefing area to be debrief while staff inspected the campsites. The sections left the briefing area at 5-minute intervals and headed back to the roadside where they packed the trailer and jumped into the vans. We all arrived back at Squadron HQ, unpacked and distributed the equipment to be clean and returned.
 
An excellent exercise and we achieved several aims and objectives;

· Provided an opportunity for the Basic cadets to put into practice what they had learnt in the classroom.
· Experience medium distance walking with a group and Fire lighting.
· Cadets were given the opportunity to test there personal boundaries and test comfort zones.

Overall an enjoyable exercise that ran well.

Report By:
PLTOFF B. Frericks, NZCF
Exercise Training Officer