May FTX

On the weekend of May 6-8, cadets at 111 Pegasus Squadron had the opportunity to spend the weekend outdoors on our second Field Training Exercise of the year.  FTXs are a fantastic way to build up the 111 community, as well as teaching cadets valuable life skills.  The cadets were broken down by level, with the level ones and twos learning the fundamentals of survival, including how to build shelter, survival psychology, and how to build smoke signals.  However, for the level threes and fours, it was all practical application of skills.  Because the seniors have all gathered expertise in the field of wilderness survival, they were instead given a list of tasks to complete, and then sent with a partner into the forest to complete them. 

Smoke signals constructed by level ones and twos

The seniors made a natural shelter, three ground to air signals, three snares, a fire, a means of collecting water, and three camp crafts over the course of 24 hours.  While in the field, the cadets enjoyed gourmet cooking in the form of MREs (Meals Ready to Eat), and after the sun went down, the level ones and twos engaged in a map and compass navigation activity.  Finally, to close the weekend, the staff of the FTX all took on various personas, in a game similar to a cross between Tag, Hide and Seek, and Charades.  Each individual staff cadet had to be given a various item, or treated a certain way, in order to return them to a designated meeting point.  All in all, the weekend was a huge success.  Over half the squadron participated in the FTX, and the weather was beautiful the whole way through.  111 looks forward to hosting even more Field Training Exercises in coming years, and getting even more cadets out in the field.
 
-FCpl Derek Strangway

Level threes and fours in their natural habitat

Level ones and twos playing a game after breakfast