Chinook lifts Oswestry School CCF pupils into tactical competition

21 Apr 2017

A Chinook helicopter flight was the highlight of this year’s CCF competition for Oswestry School pupils taking part in the annual challenge for the Evanson Shield.
The aircraft lifted teams of pupils to the training area at Nesscliffe where they disembarked and headed straight into a tactical navigation exercise visiting a series of checkpoints whilst trying to avoid detection by an ‘enemy force’ patrolling the area.
The Evanson Shield competition derives from a former Contingent Commandeer Major Ray Evanson who led the school’s CCF for some 20 years in a variety of roles. The shield was commissioned on his retirement and is a lasting legacy to his steady leadership and steadfastness in keeping the contingent active amongst his many other roles.
The competition involves groups of 6-8 cadets from the 4th Form who, as a culmination of leadership training, are led by a 5th Form pupil.
Having arrived at Nesscliffe and completing the tactical navigation cadets are rotated through different exercises to test their technical knowledge and leadership in climbing, foot drills, signals, room clearing and first aid. There are two further tests in minor military tactics and the command and control of the section commanders.
The Chinook was piloted by Flight Lieutenant Stuart Kynaston who is the brother of a current Oswestry School pupil.