Oliver Hunter RAF Air Cadets Ex. Mountain Storm Canada 2025

I'm Ollie, I'm 15 and in the Royal Air Force Air Cadets. My passion is to become a large tanker transport pilot.

How it all began....

Back in the summer I read on the RAFAC Portal about an opportunity to apply for Exercise Mountain Storm Canada 2025. I have never been outside of Europe, and I was immediately intrigued to learn about the chance of a lifetime to visit Alberta and trek through the Canadian Rockies. I promptly submitted the application.

There were 118 applications from cadets around the Country, and I was one of 42 cadets aged between 15 and 18 chosen to attend a selection weekend at Azimghur Barracks in Wiltshire.

After a brutal weekend camping in torrential rain and under the scrutiny of the leaders, I enjoyed meeting other like-minded cadets, and we were put through our paces. We had a series of challenges to complete over the weekend as well as give a presentation, which for me, included performing one of my dances from the school production of West Side Story, as well as attending an interview with the Officer in Command (OC).

After a nervous 24 hours, I was thrilled to receive an email from the OC confirming that I was one of just 22 cadets to be selected to join the expedition team.

Now the training begins....

Over the next 8 months we have numerous training weekends away in Dartmoor, Snowdonia, the Malverns and the Brecon Beacons. We will also receive wildlife training in the UK and in Canada including how to handle encounters with bears!

So what's the Expedition?

Below is a You Tube video of Exercise Mountain Storm 2023 filmed by one of the Cadets (Cdt Sgt Scott) who attended to give you an insight into what I'll be doing....

It's an 18 day trip to the Rocky Mountains in eastern Canada.

On the 5th August 2025, we fly to Calgary from Gatwick. From there we will meet the Canadian Air Cadets of Canmore, and this picturesque town on the outskirts of the Rockies will be our base for almost 3 weeks.

For 6 days, we will be off grid, traversing the rugged terrain of the Rocky Mountains, living off the back of the wilderness in a hostile and challenging environment, and in return, being greeted with the most stunning natural landscape of anywhere on the planet.

After the expedition, we will experience all sorts of exciting adventure training opportunities, including white water rafting and mountain biking. This will also be a unique opportunity for me to complete my Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award residential.

The expedition will take me beyond my comfort zone, test me in ways that I have never experienced, teach me how to make decisions in a challenging and hostile environment and provide leadership experience, all of which will be valuable skills that I can apply in everyday life and in my future career.

Funding....

I have worked extremely hard to be selected, having completed my bronze and silver Duke of Edinburgh awards and coming through the selection process but I cannot attend without raising vital funds. The expedition itself and the training weekends in the UK all require me to purchase specialist equipment, including boots, a rucksack and suitable clothing to help me survive the harsh terrain. Unfortunately my Dad's 30 year old rucksack won't do for this trip!

The total cost including travel, accommodation and the purchase of specialist items is close to £3000 and to make this trip possible, I am asking for your generosity and financial support to enable me to embark on this once in a lifetime adventure.

Check back for updates and photos of the training weekends and the Expedition.

Thank you.

Ollie