Reg newsletter issue 7 2013

S&NI Region News

2013 Issue 7

Newsletter DateSep 2013In this Issue:

1. Stornoway BofB Parade2. Skydive for Charity3. News from NE Scot Wg5. McIver Trophy Winner6. Ex Cadet wins RAF

Award7. RSPB Awards 20138. Edinburgh Castle Visit9. Two New Reds

Announced

Group Captain Sir Chris Hoy inspires the Next Generation of Air CadetsRoyal Air Force Air Cadets were on cloud nine at the weekend, as six-time Olympic gold

medallist Sir Chris Hoy attended his first air cadet event since being appointed as theuniformed youth organisation’s Honorary Ambassador.

The Olympic hero was guest of honour at the Scotland & Northern Ireland annual RegionalField Day in Fife, which saw him proudly parade in his RAF uniform for the first time.

Sir Chris, or Group Captain Hoy of the Volunteer Reserve (Training), came face-to-face withhundreds of cadets, who were visibly delighted to meet their new ambassador and took theopportunity to tell him about their many achievements and activities, including flying anygliding, Adventurous Training, first aid, aircraft modelling and recognition, sport, music, Dukeof Edinburgh Awards and drill.

Sir Chris paid tribute to the work of the thousands of adult volunteers who support the AirCadet Organisation and welcomed the opportunity to inspect his first parade and presentprizes to the top cadets from across the Region.

Reflecting on his day with the cadets, Sir Chrisexplained why he had accepted the role:

"My first visit with the RAF Air Cadets has confirmed justhow much these amazing young people are able toachieve with the support of highly motivated volunteers.I have been really impressed by the standards ofdiscipline shown by the cadets, their team spirit and thestrong sense of friendly competition."

Regional Commandant for Scotland and NorthernIreland, Group Captain Jim Leggat, told of his delight athosting Sir Chris for his first air cadet event. He said:

"Sir Chris has truly inspired our cadets and volunteerstoday and we are proud to have had the opportunity tointroduce him to the Air Cadet Organisation. We thankhim for taking time out of his busy diary to spend timewith us and allow cadets and staff to ask him questionsabout his inspirational career."

Air CommodoreDawn McCafferty,Commandant of the

Air Cadet Organisation, hopes to welcome Sir Chris tofurther cadet events in 2014 and hopes he will inspireothers to join the organisation, as cadets or adultvolunteers, allowing more young people to experience allthat is on offer in this world class uniformed youthorganisation.

Well we can say without question that GroupCaptain Hoy was in great demand for

photographs and we have given a small selection takenby Flt Lt F Wielbo (Dep Regional MCO) who has over350 images taken on the day. This is in addition tothe hundreds of snapshots taken by individuals on theday.

S&NI Regional NewsPage 2

PHOTOS FROM THE REGIONAL FIELD DAY

A DVD will be produced of all the photos taken on the day, and a copy will be providedto each wing to use as they need for PR purposes.

At the end of the presentations, the Regional Commandant Group Captain Leggatpresented Group Captain Hoy with a Regional Crest to commemorate his first formalACO duty in his role as ACO ambassador.

WELL DONE TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE COMPETITIONS, NOTONLY THOSE WHO WERE SUCCESSFUL IN WINNING THE TROPHIES.


The Battle of Britain was marked by a parade and church service in Stornoway on 15th September 2013. Despite the forecastof gales and rain and the threat that the parade could be scuppered by the poor weather, a lull in the gales allowed the event togo-ahead.

Taking part were veteran RAF servicemen, members of the local Royal Air Forces Association, a contingent from RAFBenbecula radar station, and Air Cadets from 1731 ( Isle of Lewis) Squadron as well as representatives from the local MerchantNavy Association.

A parade took place before and after the service in Martin’s Memorial Church in Stornoway which was also attended by Isles’MSP Alasdair Allan and Lord Lieutenant Sandy Matheson.

Wing Commander Brian Munro, Highland Wing, stressed theevent was of “high importance as it commemorates the fact thatin September 73 years ago there was a huge armada of Germanaeroplanes intend on attacking our islands. We only had about650 planes to repel them so it was a David and Goliath task. Wewere successful and we want to commemorate that we lostabout 600 airmen during the battle. We meet to think about themand about the huge commitment by the Royal Air Force tosecure our country.”

Wing Commander Munro pointed out that the Western Islesplayed a “significant” role in Britain’s air defences.

He highlighted that Stornoway throughout the war years wasvery important for air cover in securing the sea lanes to and fromAmerica.

The RAF continued to be stationed at Stornoway airport, also used as a NATO base, until recently.

Article and picture courtesy of the Hebrides News.

Battle of Britain Parade - Stornoway

On the 14th September 2013 at Skydive St Andrews, Glenrothes, Fife, Cadet Flight SergeantAlex Smith from 379 (County of Ross) Squadron based in Alness carried out a Tandem Sky

Diving Challenge jump from 10000 feet.

The jump was carried out to raise money and awareness forthe UCL Amyloidosis Research Fund in memory of herGrandad who passed away from this horrible disease inJanuary this year. University College London is the onlycentre in the UK dedicated to research, diagnostic testingand providing advice on treatment of this rare disease fromwhich about 3,000 people in the UK suffer. It is a verycomplex, poorly understood disease caused by an abnormalprotein in the bone marrow and often takes some years todiagnose due to doctors not recognising the symptoms. Bythe time patients are referred, the disease can be quiteadvanced because amyloid deposits have settled in majororgans causing damage to their structure and function.There is no treatment or cure as such.

Cadet Flight Sergeant Smith along with her father, Paul Smith, who also carried out the jump,raised over £1000 towards the charity and she can still accept donations if anyone is interested which can be done on-line at theJustGiving web site on the following web address — http://www.justgiving.com/Alexandra-Smith8

All monies raised will help in research into Amyloidosis and will hopefully at some stage save lives. Although this project wasundertaken by Cadet Flight Sergeant Smith under her own initiative, it was fully supported by the Squadron and joint fundraisingevents throughout the summer were undertaken at local community events, where raffle type stalls were utilised to raise fundsand awareness.

Skydive Jump for Charity


Officer Cadet Cameron ClarkRAFVR an ex-cadet of 2284

(City of Dunblane) Squadron,received his Gold Duke ofEdinburgh Award today from ChrisPatterson, Scotland’s most cappedinternational rugby player, at thePalace of Holyroodhouse in thepresence of HRH the Earl ofWessex.

Cameron's Gold AwardOn Sunday 1st September 11

cadets travelled to RAFLossiemouth for a days shooting onthe 25m barrack range. For many ofthe cadets it was the first opportunitythey have had to live fire the L98-A2rifle.

As stated on the day by one staffmember it was great to see newfirers learn and develop their skills toenable them to be competent firers.

With 1 Wing marksman award and 1Regional marksman award beingachieved it was a successful day.Thanks to all the cadets that madethe effort to attend and the staff thatcommitted their time to make theday happen. Any comments fromcadets and staff who attended arewelcome.

More full bore shooting days haverecently been announced;Sep 21stOct 12thNov 2nd

Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th Septembersaw the newly revised Elementary Coaching

Course being presented to 9 students at RAFLeuchars by the ScotSATT team.

On this course were 4 cadets, the first in the UKto be awarded the coaching qualification for anumber of years. Congratulations to these 4cadets and especially NE Scotland's own CWOWhitford from 1990 (Ellon) Squadron forsuccessfully being awarded this qualification.Here's hoping he takes every opportunity toexercise this new qualification.

NEWS FROM AROUND NORTH EAST SCOTLAND WING

Well done to the 11 Staff who attended andpassed the Risk Assessors Course on 31st

August.

Tick in the box, Professional Development,Necessary Evil call it what you will but what itmeans is, more staff covering the subject for thewelfare of Cadets and Staff alike.

Another 8 units can now guarantee having anACO trainer Risk Assessor.

If there is demand, another course will be plannedfor this year, get in touch if you want to attend!

Alan Campbell (aka Douglas) OC 1296 (Turriff) Sqn retired from duty last night after16 years of adult involvement. After an emotional evening of fond memories and

some interesting photos, Alan bid farewell.

He has over the years encouraged/cajoled staff and cadets to “do their best” in all theydo, both now and the future. Sgt Tracy Gibson will assume OC of the unit, ably assistedby all the staff.

Enjoy your retirement Alan.

18th August saw the conclusion of an Activities First Aid course at Wing HQ. 6 Attendedand 6 passed. Well done to:

Sqn Ldr D NuttenFg Off S Molyneux 877CI D Braunholz 875CI J Whitehouse 1296Cpl S Scott 2367Sgt T Churchfield 2367

Lets see these qualifications being used to complete more cadet YFA!

1089 Bag PackingOn Saturday and Sunday the

4th and 5th of August,Cadets,Skye Gray, Stephen Ryan, OliviaRobertson, Chloe Hamilton, DanielMurphy, Cpl Andrew Taylor andSgt Martin Everett as well as stafffrom 1089 (East Glasgow) werebag packing in their localMorrison's store, Cambuslang.

Although it was a quiet weekend inthe store the cadets still managedto raise over £1200 for thesquadron funds. The squadron

would liketo thankthe staffthecadetsworkedwith andthemanagement forallowingus into thestore toraisefunds.

Carronvale HouseCarronvale Leadership for Life Course by Yash Singh

On the 28th July 30 cadets from across Scotland & NI Region went to Carronvale House forthis annual course. The course is run by the Padres but is not religious.

The course promoted lateral thinking and we worked at making moral decisions. It was athoroughly enjoyable course due to the unique activities it offered (Continued on page 5)


Two pilots have been selected to join theRoyal Air Force Aerobatic team the RAF

Red Arrows for 2014 – the team’s 50th displayseason.

Flight Lieutenant Stewart Campbell and FlightLieutenant Joe Hourston have beenannounced as the newest members of theTeam today.

Flt Lt Campbell, who attended Peebles HighSchool and studied at the University ofEdinburgh, said he had wanted to be a pilotsince childhood.

Flt Lt Hourston was born in Inverness, grewup in the Black Isle village of Cromarty andwas educated at Fortrose Academy, beforestudying at Glasgow University. He started hisInitial Officer Training with the RAF in 2001.

TWO NEW “REDS” ANNOUNCED

CWO M Selalmas the Senior Flight Staff Cadet has been selected as this years winnerof the McIver Trophy. This means that yet again 661 Volunteer Gliding Squadron has

produced the Best Flight Staff Cadet in Scotland, not only that but the second winner from2463 (Currie & Balerno) Squadron who are just a few miles down the road.

It just goes to show you that with the right team, leadership, encouragement andenthusiasm nothing is out of reach.

Well done "Salami"!!

Another fantastic award for 661 Volunteer Gliding Squadron.

McIver Trophy Winner Announced

Are you working towards yourSaltire Award? If not you should

be!!! Ask your Staff or look at thewebsite yourself...

http://www.saltireawards.org.uk/young-person.php

8 cadets from 2466 Sqn added evenmore hours to their Saltire Awardtotal today by helping thecommunity in a gardening andgrounds maintenance project. Welldone to all involved - great job!

SALTIRE AWARDS

EDINBURGH SERVICE COMMEMORATES THE BATTLE OF BRITAINA service of commemoration marking the 73rd Anniversary of the Battle of Britain was held at St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh

on Sunday.

The Air Officer Scotland and Station Commander RAF Leuchars, AirCommodore Gerry Mayhew led representatives from the Royal Air Force,reservists from 603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force,and 100 cadets of the Air Training Corps in recognising the actions of ‘TheFew’ in defending British skies. After the service they joined veterans andScottish dignitaries at a civic reception at the 603 Squadron Headquarters inLearmonth Terrace.

The service honoured the sacrifice made by RAF personnel during theSecond World War and the standards of RAF Leuchars’ three front linesquadrons – 1 (Fighter) Squadron, 6 Squadron and 58 Squadron, RAFRegiment - proudly displayed their battle honours alongside the standard ofthe Royal Air Force Association.

and the very laid back friendly atmosphere created by both the cadets and the staff. I feel that thecourse provided valuable lessons that I will take with me throughout my life.

It was an unforgettable experience but I cannot comment on what we actually did as all the persons who took part were swornto secrecy. It was a great experience and I would encourage everyone who can, to apply to go on it.

(Continued from page 4)


Flight Lieutenant Suzanne Mitchell, formally a cadet with 32F (1st Glasgow)Squadron has been awarded the Air Traffic Management Babcock Trophy

for 2013.

Flight Lieutenant Mitchell was deemed to have made the greatest contributionto the Trade or Branch, Station, RAF and the local community; she was chosenfrom across the RAF's Air Traffic Management branch. She was presented withthe award by Group Captain Ian Gale, RAF Lossiemouth Station Commander.

Suzanne, aged 32, said on receiving her award:

"It was a bit of a surprise to receive this award. I had just had my end of tourdebrief from my boss and was told I'd got the Babcock Trophy, so I had noinclination that I would get this award, it was a real surprise."

Suzanne was nominated by Squadron Leader Lisa Mullineux, the Senior Air Traffic Control Officer at RAF Lossiemouth.Squadron Leader Mullineux nominated Suzanne for the Babcock Trophy following an exceptional 2012; during the last yearSuzanne had been the sole Air Traffic Local Examining Officer at RAF Lossiemouth for a period of six months, the UnitStandards Officer, the Station Air Cadet Liaison Officer, as well as completing a 4 month tour of duty in the Falkland Islands. Inaddition to these duties, Suzanne offered advice to airmen in the Station Commissioning Club who aspire to become officers,was a Station Trauma Risk Management practitioner, as well as volunteering on various station committees.

Squadron Leader Mullineux said of Flight Lieutenant Mitchell:

"Suzanne attacks all she does with professionalism, drive and determination. Her work ethic is one that few can contend with;she is a dedicated, hard-working and enthusiastic officer.

Her award of an AOC 1 Group Fellowship proves her intellectual abilities, and now, in being awarded the Babcock TrophySuzanne has achieved deserved recognition of her all round standing as a superb officer."

Ex-Air Cadet achieves top RAF Award

National Korean War MemorialOn 27th July cadets from 1271 (Bathgate) Squadron attended the opening of the

National Korean War Memorial. The day was a fitting tribute to the fallingservicemen who fought during what is often regarded as the 'forgotten war'.

The event was held at the newly opened National Korean Memorial situated in thepeaceful Bathgate Hills. The site was specifically chosen by the war veterans as itreminded them of the Korean landscape. The memorial is the only memorial in the UKthat lists all the 1090 servicemen that lost their lives in the conflict.

The cadets played an active roll during the day, including setting out of the chairs,marshalling of the car park areas and escorting the various high profile guests inattendance. These guests included Jackie Bird from BBC, War Veterans and currentserving personnel and officers from the armed forces.

The day was rounded off with the cadets participating in a ceremonial parade alongwith a service conducted by Reverend Duncan Shaw. After the event Cadet GrantMcCabe commented "The service was very eye-opening and it was great to see sucha large turnout of the veterans attending the service." Another cadet - Cadet SergeantCalum McMath also commented "It was such an honour to be part of the service; it isgreat to see Bathgate so supportive of those who fought to protect our country."

Edinburgh Castle VisitTwo cadets from 1271 (Bathgate) Squadron, Cdt Cpl Craig Smith and Cdt Sgt David Fleming, recently had the honour of

representing the Air Training Corps at the annual celebrations to mark the Queens official birthday at Edinburgh Castle. Thecadets were selected following their recent success in completing their Gold Duke of Edinburgh expeditions.

During the day the cadets took part in various events including a 21 gun salute and delivered three presentations on topicsincluding their experiences of their Gold Duke of Edinburgh award as well as their time in the Air Training Corps. Thepresentations were delivered to guests including head teachers and others involved in the education services. The cadets werealso able to share their thoughts over lunch of the ATC and the Duke of Edinburgh award in the officer's mess.The cadets werealso joined by the Regional Commandant, Deputy Regional Commandant and other dignitaries.


1730 (Lochaber) Squadron recently attended an awards ceremony at the Scottish Parliament. They were there to see if theyhad been shortlisted for one of the prestigious RSPB’s Nature of Scotland Awards. The Nature of Scotland Award is designed

to recognise and celebrate excellence, innovation and outstanding achievement in Scottish nature conservation.

Scotland is renowned worldwide for its beautiful wild places and abundant wildlife. The RSPB works hard to preserve thisprecious natural heritage, celebrating success stories and protecting that which is under real threat.

The RSPB were delighted to be hosting the second year of the Awards, which recognised the very best efforts made for thebenefit of nature conservation in Scotland. The challenges involved in protecting and nurturing Scotland’s special places andiconic species are ever more pressing.

This year over 70 entries were received! The shortlist was announced at the Garden Lobby of the Scottish Parliament on 18June.

1730 Squadron were selected for their annual contribution to the protection of Sea Eagle nests on the Isle of Mull. Cadets Flt SgtM Cook, Sgt C Cook and Sgt C Brown attended the formal reception in the Garden Lobby of the Scottish Parliamentaccompanied by Flt Lt Walter Liddell and CI Glen Liddell

The Squadron has been protecting the nest sites of the sea eagles for the last 6 years as part of a wider community project whichincludes RSPB and Strathclyde police, now Police Scotland.

In January each year the squadron begin their basic fieldcraft and radiotraining, both of which are a core part of Air Cadet Training. This initialtraining in observation, camp craft and radio procedures is undertakenat the Squadron’s training facility at Achaderry Estate and is then put intouse over the Easter weekend.

The Easter weekend is then spent using their newly acquired skills tohelp protect the nest sites from egg thieves and other types ofdisturbance.

On the day the cadets were escorted around the parliament building andthe gardens, and chatted to other entrants as well as MSP’s and otherprominent figures in the world of nature conservation, including the ChiefExecutive of RSPB Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage. CadetSergeant Connor Brown said “The Mull camp is a highlight of ourSquadron calendar and I never imagined that our time spent there wouldhave enabled us to come here. It has been a fantastic opportunity”. FltLt Liddell, Commanding Officer 1730 (Lochaber) Squadron, said that “agreat time was had even though we didn’t manage to make it through tothe next stage of the awards”.

RSPB Nature of Scotland Awards 2013

With the nights becoming darker so comes theconclusion of the evening Paddelsport sessions. A

total of 154 cadets have gained Paddelsport Startcertificates from 15 Squadrons across the Wing in eitherthe kayak or canoe.

A total of 27 sessions were delivered at various venuesacross the Wing including Forfar Loch, MusselburghLagoons, Union Canal and the new venue for 2013Linlithgow Loch.

Look out for more opportunities in 2014 including 1 and 2Star Assessments.

South East Scotland Wing Paddlesport

NEXT EDITION DUE OCTOBERGET YOUR PHOTOS AND ARTICLES IN

That’s all for this Regional Newsletter. If you have any articles that you would like published in thenext edition, then send them to Regional HQ for the attention of Sqn Ldr John Walker RAFVR(T).

We will try and publish a regular newsletter. Cadet reporters from all wings welcome.

You can also submit news and photos to the following e-mail address [email protected]

E-Mail - Text in either Word document or plain text files. Photo’s, preferably jpg or png formats (files nogreater than 2.0 Mb in Size please) and use E-Mail heading “Regional Newsletter Article” so that it isobvious as to the content.

In between issues of the Regional Newsletter, why not keep up to date by logging on to the Regionalweb site, http://www.aircadets-sni.org.uk

Indeed we have a number of people who can submit news items directly onto the Regional Website (bothstaff and cadets). If you are involved in your squadron or Wing in newsletter creation or media commsand would like to become a cadet reporter for your wing, please get your squadron commander to dropan e-mail to [email protected] with your relevant details.

Note from the Editor


On this date, 3rd September, 1939, Britain andFrance declared war on Germany following its

invasion of Poland two days earlier. The Britishambassador to Berlin had handed a final note to theGerman government saying unless it announcedplans to withdraw from Poland by 11:00 BST, 3rdSeptember a state of war would exist between thetwo countries.

At 11:15 BST the Prime Minister, NevilleChamberlain, announced the British deadline for thewithdrawal of German troops from Poland hadexpired. Chamberlain said in a momentous radiobroadcast, “I have to tell you now that no suchundertaking has been received and consequentlythis country is at war with Germany."

The gate guardian at Air Command HQ; a replica ofHurricane V7467 LE-D, which was flown in 1940 by(then) Squadron Leader Douglas Bader. It standsas an iconic reminder of this nation’s struggle forsurvival in the early days of the war.

Lest we forget “THE FEW”

Documents

Reg newsletter issue 7 2013