On Friday 27th April the cadets from 121 (Nuneaton) squadron abandoned their normal Friday evening classroom activities when they went to ground for some field craft training in the training area of the 30 Signals Regiment base at Gamecock Barracks near Nuneaton.

The object of this training exercise (the first of two in preparation for a planed 24 hour activity) was to demonstrate the art of building a shelter commonly known as a Bivouac.

The cadets were shown how to build a Bivouac shelter using a construction of natural materials utilising a structure of branches to form a frame, which is then covered with leaves, ferns and other similar materials for waterproofing and leaf litter for insulation. It was explained that Single sided designs allow easy access and protection from prevailing winds, whilst full roofed designs have much better heat retention. As a general rule the roof should be at least a foot thick. Bivouacs can also be constructed using a variety of available materials from corrugated iron sheeting, wood or groundsheets.

Having had the demonstration the cadets split down into pairs and set off to find a suitable location to build their own Bivouac using the materials they could find within the area. Some of the cadets constructions are featured within the accompanying photographs.

One of the most important things about building any temporary shelter or setting up any form of camp in the countryside is the cleanup. This is particularly so in a military situation whereby any evidence of your recent campsite could expose your presence to a potential enemy and jeopardise your entire operation. So during the final phase of the exercise to cadets were required to demolish their Bivouac shelters and remove any trace of their presents thus returning the area back to the way they had found it before the training exercise.

The Squadron training officer Flight Lieutenant Paul Hincks said, “The cadets always enjoy these Night Exercises at Gamecock Barracks. It's amazing how eager they are to get their DP (disruptive pattern) kit on, and get stuck into the tasks they've been given. Some of the shelters the cadets constructed were very impressive however others needed a bit of extra work before they could be used to sleep in.