IT was back to the wild for Studley air cadets as they tested their skills as part of a survival weekend recently.

Six cadets from 480 Studley Squadron were selected to take part in the annual basic aircrew survival weekend in the Army training ground in Sennybridge, near the Brecon Beacons.

The area is considered one of the best military training areas in the world and cadets had to survive three days using equipment and food from a 'downed' RAF aircraft.

The ration packs included just water purifying tablets, boiled sweets, a boil in the bag meal, a chocolate bar, a tin of fish and biscuits.

Parachutes were used for shelter.

They then had to search for water and other food for the next three days.

Staff also set exercises sending the cadets from one map reference to another to meet with 'agents' that would either provide them with food or the location of equipment that had survived the 'crash' which needed to be retrieved before falling into enemy hands.

All the cadets passed the course and received certificates for their achievement.

480 Sqn is the only Air Training Corps unit that runs both basic and advanced aircrew survival courses as Flt Lt Doug Martin is the only officer to have completed the Royal Air Force survival training himself.

Anyone interested in joining can go to the Squadron HQ, off High Street, on Monday or Thursday evenings or log on to www.480-studley-sdn.ukf.net