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Tag: Air Cadets

Vigilant Returns to Skies over Topcliffe

On Saturday 17th September 2016, the Grob Vigilant of 645 VGS at RAF Topcliffe took to the skies again. This marked one of the biggest steps towards recovering Air Cadet Gliding since in April 2014 the decision was made to pause all Air Cadet gliding throughout the organisation. This was a difficult decision made in order to future proof air cadet gliding and safeguard its future, and to ensure the air worthiness of the fleet. Since then work has been ongoing in the background to get the fleet back in the air and the squadron has been under the guidance of No.2 flying training school (2FTS). At midday on Saturday, aircraft ZH207 crewed by Flt Lt Dave Smith (CGS) and...

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Air Cadets in Sunderland Remember ‘The Few’

Over 60 air cadets and veterans from across Sunderland paraded against the magnificent backdrop of Mowbray Park to remember the bravery, sacrifice, and ultimate triumph of the men Winston Churchill dubbed ‘The Few’. It is 76 years since the Battle of Britain raged in the skies above England as the RAF fought to gain air supremacy against Hitler’s Luftwaffe and bring to an end the Fuhrer’s invasion plans. Yesterday veterans and Air Training Corps cadets from across Sunderland and South Shields, formed up at the bandstand marching for a special service of commemoration and laying of wreaths. Spectators turned out in their droves to show their support and remember the 544 British and overseas air crew who died defending our nation...

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Air Cadets Remember the ‘Few’ at Battle of Britain Parade

Two hundred air cadets and veterans from across the North East paraded against the magnificent backdrop of Durham Cathedral to remember the bravery, sacrifice, and ultimate triumph of the men Winston Churchill dubbed ‘The Few.’ It is 76 years since the Battle of Britain raged in the skies above England as the RAF fought to gain air supremacy against Hitler’s Luftwaffe and bring to an end the Fuhrer’s invasion plans. And yesterday the veterans and Air Training Corps cadets from across Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, and County Durham, formed up on Palace Green before marching into the cathedral for a special service of commemoration. Spectators turned out in their droves to show their support and remember the 544 British and overseas air...

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Bishop Auckland Cadets Remember the Fallen Overseas

On Friday 2nd September 2016, 18 cadets and 6 staff from 2505 (Bishop Auckland) Squadron were privileged to visit the WW2 Mohne Dam in Germany, famous for the ‘Dambusters’ raid led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson, VC. During the tour they learnt much of the history and remembered those from all sides who died during the attack. On Saturday 3rd September, the cadets and staff represented the whole of the North of England at the Airborne Forces March near Arnhem in Holland. Having marched past a dais of dignitaries, they completed the fantastic 10km march in uniform. This followed part of the route of the WW2 battle. On route they laid wreaths at one of the many Commonwealth War Graves...

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Adventure Training Challenge 2016!

Air Cadets from 25 Squadrons in Durham/Northumberland Wing came together last weekend to compete in their annual Adventure Training Challenge. The Challenge, which consists of a timed day walk, first aid, mountain biking, archery, climbing, and an orienteering task, took place at RAF Spadeadam on the Northumberland/Cumbria border. Teams of five cadets from each Squadron had planned the checkpoints for their walk in advance, and entered their best archers, climbers and first aiders in each element of the competition. Squadron Leader Jo Blackie, the Wing’s Adventure Training Officer, said, “The standard was extremely high this year with very close scores. We had 25 Squadrons represented with over 150 people attending. We are particularly grateful to Naworth Castle Estate for their support in...

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Solo Flight for Chester-le-Street Air Cadet!

A Cadet from 1507 (Chester-le-Street) Squadron was lucky enough to be selected for the Air Cadet Pilot Scheme, and spent two weeks over the summer at Tayside Aviation - culminating in a solo flight! Here he tells the story in his own words: "During August 2016 I was chosen as one of 186 cadets across the Corps to complete the Air Cadet Pilot Scheme. This scheme gave me 12 hours of free flying training, with the chance of a solo flight, at Tayside Aviation, Dundee. It was one of the best experiences of my life as flying is my passion and I was given the opportunity to meet other Cadets from across the UK. There was a total of 6 Cadets on my course, 4 were...

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DNW Cadets join ACF on Camp

Over the summer, Air Cadets and Sea Cadets from across the region have had the opportunity to attend annual camp with Durham and Northumbria ACFs. A group of Air Cadets from Durham/Northumberland Wing travelled to Otterburn training area to join Northumbria ACF on their annual camp. They were allocated a place in one of the four training groups based on their fieldcraft experience. Northumbria ACF Cadets are cap badged to a number of regiments, so the blue beret was just one among many different headdresses. The Air Cadets were made more than welcome by all personnel and were treated as an integral part of the team, led by County Commandant, Colonel David Middleton MBE TD. Every cadet spent at least two nights...

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Tall Ships Blyth 2016

Over the weekend, Cadets and Staff from across the Wing took part in the Tall Ships event at Blyth. The Wing Media trailer and marquees provided the backdrop for Cadets and Staff to tell visitors to the event about our organisation, and encourage some of them to join us! Cadets and Staff attended from Squadrons local to Blyth, including 1000 Blyth Squadron, 2522 Bedlington Squadron, 242 (Cramlington) Squadron and 1110 Ashington Squadron, as well as from further afield, including 131 (City of Newcastle upon Tyne) Squadron, 36 (Hetton-Le-Hole) Squadron, 346 (Tynemouth) Squadron, 1507 (Chester-le-Street) Squadron, 1509 (Blaydon) Squadron, and 1151 (Wallsend) Squadron. Well done to everyone - you put on a great display and were great ambassadors for our Wing!

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DNW Cadets Aim for Gold!

Air Cadets from across the Durham/Northumberland Wing area have completed the expedition section of their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award this week. The 18 Cadets and Staff, aged between 16 and 23, spent four days in the Cheviot Hills, completing a journey that they had planned themselves, taking them from Wooler on the northern side of the hills, to Alwinton in the south. They were entirely self-sufficient throughout, carrying all their own equipment and food, camping out in tents, and even collecting and purifying their drinking water en route! Most of the Cadets, who were drawn from Squadrons as far apart geographically as Ashington and Newton Aycliffe, had already completed the Bronze and Silver levels of the Award, and so...

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Local ATC Volunteer Pedals to Paris for the Legion!

Flying Officer David Anderson, 27, an officer at 2344 (Longbenton) Squadron Air Cadets, is in training to take on a gruelling challenge for The Royal British Legion by cycling from London to Paris in just four days. Next month, David, who works full-time as an M&S Section Manager, will join more than 350 other cyclists at Greenwich Park, London, next month at the start of the Pedal to Paris bike ride to raise money for the British Armed Forces community. The 300 mile route takes in the Kent countryside, the white cliffs of Dover, Calais, the rivers Somme and Seine before finishing in the heart of Paris. A Service of Remembrance will be held at the Arc de Triomphe. Pedal to Paris...

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