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Tag: Air Cadets

DNW Cadets take on Sailing Challenge!

This Summer, Cadet Flight Sergeant Ben Allen of 1114 (Gosforth) Squadron, Cadet Natalia Szutenberg of 733 (Newcastle Airport) Squadron, and Cadet Sergeant Jack Hardy of 1000 (Blyth) Squadron changed their flying suits for wet suits as they took part in the Headquarters Air Cadets/Ocean Youth Trust Scotland West Coast Challenge Offshore Sailing Expedition! Through choppy waves and gale force winds, the 18 year olds experienced one of the most exciting adventure training opportunities the Air Cadets has to offer: learning to sail around the West coast of Scotland in just under 1 week! Ben Allen recounts his intrepid voyage here: Initially as I set off on the train, I got to know the two other cadets from Durham/Northumberland Wing, Cadet Szutenberg and...

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First DNW Cadet at Cyber Camp!

18 year old Cadet Sergeant Alexander Taylor is the first cadet in Durham/Northumberland Wing and one of the first cadets in the Air Cadet Organisation to gain the new Gold Cyber Comms Badge! Over a week long course, Sergeant Taylor, who was already a qualified silver communicator, had the chance to experience lessons in online security, network protection, including against cyber attacks. He also learnt about the history of cyber warfare and how easy it can be to access digital information and exploit it. The course took place at No. 1 Radio School at Royal Air Force Cosford. On completing the course, Sergeant Taylor was awarded the ACO's newest accolade, the Gold Cyber Badge. Alexander was also given a goodie bag full of...

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Intrepid Air Cadets Complete Arduous Nijmegen Marches

A team of six Cadets and one Instructor from Durham/Northumberland Wing Air Cadets have overcome a series of challenges to complete the prestigious Nijmegen Marches in Holland. The journey started over 16 months ago, when DNW set themselves the challenge of recruiting and training the first Nijmegen Marching team for over 30 years. A training regime was set up, and Cadets from across the Wing volunteered to take up the challenge. As the weeks and months went on, it became clear who the front runners were and a team started to gel. Fitness was increasing, that famous team spirit was rife and a team of ten was eventually selected for a qualifying march at RAF Cosford. Despite their best efforts,...

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DNW Cadets are On Target Again!

Cadets from Durham Northumberland Wing have yet again hit the target at the prestigious Inter-Services Cadet Rifle Meeting held at Bisley this year. The 30 Cadets, representing 9 Squadrons from across the Wing, travelled to Bisley in Surrey with the aim of achieving a Cadet 100 and bringing back some silverware. They took part in an intensive 5 days of training before embarking on the Wing Fullbore Target Rifle Competition on day 6, and then the main programme of competition shoots at distances of between 300 and 600 yards. The news that a record 8 Cadets had achieved the Cadet 100 badge was received with great excitement, and to top it all off, 1027 (Jarrow) Squadron were named as the runner up ATC...

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Cadets March Through City to Mark 75th Anniversary

Almost 700 Air Cadets and Staff from Durham/Northumberland Wing and across North Region took part in a celebratory parade on Saturday 23rd July to mark 75 years of the Air Training Corps. The Cadets and their officers and senior NCOs marched through the City of Durham and held a service of thanksgiving at Durham Cathedral. They were joined by dignitaries including the Lord-Lieutenant of County Durham, Mrs Sue Snowdon, a number of local Mayors, and members of the Reserve Forces and Cadets Association. Mrs Snowdon gave an address during the Service, praising the work of the organisation in delivering challenging opportunities to the young people of the region. The occasion also saw a new North Region banner being dedicated. The...

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Air Cadets Set to Celebrate!

Air Cadets from across the region are set to swap the air for the ground to celebrate 75 years of the organisation. Durham Northumberland Wing is holding a celebratory parade to mark 75 years of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets - an organisation that was initially established to train young men to fly aircraft as part of the Second World War effort but has now developed into a unique youth organisation. To celebrate the occasion, the 12 to 19-year-olds and their officers and senior NCOs will be marching through the City of Durham and holding a service of thanksgiving at Durham Cathedral this Saturday. The 700 strong parade will be led by the 75th anniversary torch as it makes...

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Camps

Annual Camps Every year, Air Cadets from around the Wing are given the opportunity to attend a Camp on an operational RAF station, anywhere in the United Kingdom. These camps usually take place during the school Easter, Summer and Autumn holiday periods so they won't interfere with cadets schooling. RAF Station camps aim to show cadets what life is like in the Royal Air Force and allows the cadets to experience what is like to live on an RAF Station. They are a fantastic opportunity to meet new people as cadets attend from lots of different Squadrons and Wings. Often, cadets have the chance to fly in service aircraft such as a Chinook heavy lift helicopter or a C-17 Globemaster...

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Local ATC Volunteer named in Queen’s Birthday Honours List

Flt Lt Susan Gillies, Officer Commanding 1016 (Berwick) Squadron, has been awarded the Air Officer Commanding 22 (Training) Group’s Commendation in the Queen's Birthday Honours List, after giving more than 19 years' service to the Squadron and Wing. Wing Commander Harris, Officer Commanding Durham/Northumberland Wing, said, “Flt Lt Gillies has served the Berwick community and the Air Training Corps as a Civilian Instructor and as a RAFVR(T) Officer since 1997. She took command of 1016 (Berwick) Squadron in September 2000 and built this geographically isolated unit into a thriving air-minded centre of excellent, parading some 40 – 45 Cadets. In 2011 due to her employer reorganisation, Flt Lt Gillies could not undertake her duties as Officer Commanding and relinquished her...

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Sunderland Cadet is a High Flyer!

A cadet from 111 (Sunderland) Squadron recently qualified through the Air Cadet Pilot Scheme by completing a solo flight. Cadet Sergeant Gianluca Giordano, 18, completed the course following two weeks of intensive training at Tayside Aviation, Dundee.The course, which is free of charge through the Air Training Corps, prepares students for their solo flight which includes aircraft handling, air traffic control procedures and emergency drills. Cadets who complete the training and fly solo are awarded 'wings' to wear on their uniform. Sergeant Giordano said: "This was an incredible experience, I am extremely grateful to have been given the opportunity especially as I wish to pursue an aviation career with the Royal Air Force." Flying opportunities are available to all ATC...

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FAQs

We’ve compiled a list of the most popular questions here. If you want to know something that is not listed, then don't hesitate to get in touch with us. What sort of activities do the air cadets do?  We get to do a huge variety of activities such as flying, gliding, target shooting, adventure training, sports, camps, drill, academic studies and lots of other things. There's never a dull moment. How old must I be to join? You can join when you're 12 and in Year 8 at school. You must have joined by your 17th birthday. You can remain a cadet until you're 20. How many times a week does the ATC meet? We meet twice a week. Squadrons...

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