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REGIONAL NEWSLETTERNo 8 (2014)

REGIONAL COMMANDANTS CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

When I reflect on 2014, I verymuch feel it has been a ‘Year

of Achievement’. We had some 12cadets participate in IACE and onevery activity front, the Region hasperformed extremely well. Some ofthe highlights are:

Sport:

-- Gillan trophy results for 2014/15(best sporting Wg across 34 in

Corps): SE Scot Wg 2nd; West Scot Wg 3rd; NI Wg 15th=;H Wg most improved Wg and winner of Glossop Vase.

-- Corps swimming on 25 Oct – Region won 6 golds; 1silver; 5 bronze; senior boys came third in their group.

-- Corps hockey on 15 Nov – Region came second.

-- Corps rugby on 29 Nov – Region came third.

Shooting: very successful Bisley competitions in the Summerfor several Units; Combined Inter Services Small Arms Meet(CISSAM) on 25 Oct: 1297 (Stonehaven) Sqn came firstacross 3 cadet forces; best ATC team; 5 cadets in Corps team;FS Christian Avis top cadet.

First Aid: National FA Competition on 25 Oct: Young Adult3rd and 5th out of 7; cadets 6th and 8th out of 11.

Drill: Corps competition on 29 Nov – team from 2414 (EastKilbride) came second with their Parade Coordinator, FS ScottChurchill taking individual first.

Flying: CWO Michael Jennings from 817 (Lisburn) Sqn wonthe RAF Charitable Trust National Flying Award.

In addition, our Pipes & Drums won several awards at theCadet Piping Competition at the Army School of BagpipeMusic in Edinburgh. Also, we now have a very experiencedmusical director and teacher, Sqn Ldr Kevin Lamb, filling thepost of Region Music Officer and plans are already in handfor several band and music training sessions in 2015.

On the infrastructure front, we have seen 2 significantprojects come to fruition. The new DACRE RegionalActivity Centre at RAF Lossiemouth was formallyopened on 7 Oct. This new integrated WgHQ/RAC/accommodation centre is a tremendous facilityand I believe is one of the best in the Corps.

In addition, the keys for the new West Scot Wg ActivityCentre (WAC) collocated with the ACF Bn Trg Centre,at Dechmont, Cambuslang, were handed over at theend of Oct. Again, a superb new facility which I knowOC West Scot Wg is planning to have fully operationalearly in the 2015.

In terms of engagement, we saw the ATC being ‘frontand centre’ at the National Armed Forces Day in Stirling,several WW1 Commemorations and manyRemembrance Day events. Everyone who contributedin these activities was a credit to the Corps and to theRegion.

I apologise if I have missed something but as you cansee, it has been a most successful year.

Thank you for all your support, influence and energy.In addition, my very best wishes to you and your familiesover the festive season.

Jim Leggat

Gp Capt

Rgnl Comdt SNI’

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The wait isfinally over -

Carol VordermanMBE has beenannounced as thenew Ambassadorfor the Royal AirForce Air Cadets– she becomesthe first femalehonorary GroupC a p t a i nambassador to theorganisation.

NEW ACO AMBASSADOR REVEALED

Staff and cadets from 2062(Carrickfergus) Sqn were

guests of the town's Mayor onMonday evening. Mayor CharlieJohnston provided the squadronwith a tour of the Town Hall,Council Chamber and his Parlour.

The Mayor also handed overstripes to recently promoted CadetCorporals Luke Crymble andLauren Kernaghan. Staff alsoshowed the Mayor the squadron'srecently received SRAFONITrophy; awarded by the Province'ssenior RAF officer to the bestsquadron in Northern Ireland.

2062’s MAYORAL VISIT

On Saturday 15 November Cadets from 1333Grangemouth Spitfire Sqn formed a Guard of

Honour in Falkirk at the Falkirk v Hearts ScottishChampionship Match in commemoration of the 100thAnniversary of the formation of 16th Btn The RoyalScots who became known as MaCrae’s or theSporting Battalion.

THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME has becomesynonymous with slaughter. On the opening morningalone nearly 20,000 British and Commonwealthsoldiers gave their lives. A further 40,000 werewounded. The First of July 1916 is often referred toas the blackest day in the history of the British Army

The 16th Royal Scots were in the worst of it.‘Edinburgh’s Finest’, they called them – Scotland’s‘Sporting Battalion’ and the first of the so-called‘Footballers’ battalions. But most folk knew themsimply as ‘McCrae’s’.

They were named after their charismatic founder,Lieutenant-Colonel Sir George McCrae, who stoodon a recruiting platform on a chill November eveningin 1914 and invited the young men of the city to joinhim. ‘I cannot ask you to go’, he told them, ‘if I’m notprepared to share the danger at your side.’ It was anunforgettable moment.

Sadly the rest is history.

1333 REMEMBER THESPORTING BATTALION

Cadets from across the UK gathered at RAF Cranwell tocompete in the Inter Region Hockey Tournament. The

Scotland & Northern Senior Hockey Team were placed secondtaking Silver with four Ladies picked for the Corps Team.

This is the highest placing and greatest number of playersselected for Corps in a very long time!

he Footballers were placed fifth with three players picked forCorps. Photos courtesy Sqn Ldr P Jones Corps PhotographerSouth. For more pictures visit

https://plus.google.com/photos/108084642578123332331/albums?banner=pwa

INTER REGION SENIOR HOCKEY AND FOOTBALL

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Cadets from 1333 (Grangemouth Spitfire) squadron with their level5 Sports Leaders Certificates. Also in the picture is the Swimming

Trophy and the Overall Sports Winners trophy of 2014.

SPORTS LEADERS AT 1333

Well done to ex Cadet B Barkey 1756 (Broxburn) Sqn who was alsoa Flight Staff Cadet, then Service Instructor at 661 Kirknewton VGS!!

Royal Navy Pilots from 820 Naval Air Squadron (NAS) got their “Wings”on operation on-board RFA Argus.

The five Royal Navy pilots finished their training and were awarded their“Wings” whilst on active operation, the first time this has happened sincethe Falklands War.

Read more about this highly unusual end to the trainees intense courseat http://ow.ly/Ea2LW

EX CADET GET HIS “WINGS”

DUNDEE PROMOTIONS

Cadets and Staff from 2466 (Loanhead) Sqn onparade during their AFI

LOANHEAD’s AFI

On Sunday 7th December 2014, 2 members of staff Flt Lt JamieDownie (OC) and Fg Off Craig Johnstone (Adj) participated along

with 18 cadets from 327 (Kilmarnock) Sqn ATC in the Annual GlasgowSanta Dash to raise monies for localgood causes in Ayrshire. The dayitself was bitterly cold with snowfalling to the joy of all the 6000+Santas that took part. All had a greatday and to top it off, we have raisedover £2000 to be split equallybetween Samaritans Ayrshire andThe Heather Stupart Fund at ClicSergeant in Prestwick.

KILMARNOCKS SANTA DASH

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Highland Wing Air Cadets were helping outat this event! Thanks to the 423Sqn(Elgin)

and the 446Sqn(Forres) Cadets who did the RedCarpet route lining for the Queen today at RAFLossiemouth.Very very smart and respectful.

Her Majesty The Queen visited RAFLossiemouth accompanied by His RoyalHighness The Duke of Edinburgh on Thursday20th November.

The Queen took the Royal Salute and inspected

a parade of personnel from RAF Lossiemouth. For thefirst time the standard of the newly arrived No. 1 (Fighter)Sqn, now based at RAF Lossiemouth, was on parade atits new home. The RAF Lossiemouth Voluntary Bandplayed the National Anthem and the combined pipes anddrums of 2622 (Highland) Sqn Pipe Band and the RAFLossiemouth Pipe Band began the proceedings.

Group Captain Mark Chappell, Station Commander RAFLossiemouth, was honoured to host the visit by HerMajesty and His Royal Highness. He said of the Royalvisit:

“It was an immense pleasure to have the Queen and theDuke of Edinburgh visit RAF Lossiemouth.

“The official unveiling of the plaque by Her Majesty, highlights thecommencement of QRA duties at RAF Lossiemouth and marks theend of an intense period of planning and activity on the Station. Thefacility and crews have already been regularly tested by real timeevents which proves the essential value of the task.”

Before leaving the Officers’ Mess, Her Majesty and His RoyalHighness followed tradition by signing the Station’s Visitors' Book.

VISIT TO RAF LOSSIEMOUTH BYHER MAJESTY THE QUEEN

AND HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH

December is the month for the last call for the Air Cadet PilotScheme nominations for 2015! (Look at ACTO 36 for the

application form) Also for those wanting an aviation mindedadventure.

The International Air Cadet Scheme is set to take place again in2015, so watch out for the paperwork, as Wgs will select inDec/Jan - regional interviews will be the first weekend in Feb 15!!

Congratulations to three members of staff from thiswing that have spent the past 2 weekends

attending ScotSATT SR Course at MOD Caledonia.Sgt (ATC) J Masters of 877 (Inverurie) Squadron, CIH Newman of 875 (Westhill) Sqn ATC and CI MOgilvie of 2449 (Carnoustie) Sqn, all achieved theSA(SR)07 qualification on Sunday afternoon.Assessment weekend was not the easiest with theweather conditions but those mentioned above werefrom a group of nine students from across the regionwho successfully ran indoor and outdoor rangepractises and were awarded the qualification. Welldone to you all and good luck with all your futurerange practises.

NEW RCO’s IN REGION

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We've been given the result for the squadron's work withthe poppy appeal. Its looking like the cadets who

attended helped raise around £200.00. Fantastic work guys!

TRINITY ARE “QUIDS IN” FOR POPPY APPEALDUNDEE’S TOP RECRUITER

Ca d e tCampbe l l

recruited thehighest numberof new starts forthe year. Hereshe is receivingher prize fromthe CO of a halfhour flyinglesson fromT a y s i d eAviation. Welldone!

In late May the Squadron held its annual Parents &Prize Giving evening. The cadets were inspected by

Wing Commander Copsey who presented the awardson the night.

This was the first visit to the unit by Wg Co Copsey asOfficer Commanding Highland Wing.

Caithness Open Day

North East Scotland Wing DrillTraining - 22 November 2014

courtesy of 875 (Westhill) Sqn.

Cadets from the Squadron participatedin a Wing Drill Training weekend. Cadetsparticipated in Foot Drill, Banner Drill andArms Drill.

The Cadets enjoyed furthering theirability and knowledge of Drill and lookforward to the next Drill TrainingWeekend.

Staff and Senior Cadets from theSquadron assisted in delivering trainingto the cadets from across the North EastScotland Wing

DRILL TRAININGNE Scotland STYLE

The WAC in Galashiels is a great venue for almost any typeof course ranging from First Aid to AT and Proficiency

Training to Leadership courses. 2180 Sqn downstairs isavailable for use and catering can be arranged. The WACsleeps 32 in 4 rooms.

Best of all it costs nothing! Cadets having fun at a youth firstaid course at Galashiels

FIRST AID COURSE AT GALA WAC

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Last week CWO Josh Greig from 875 (Wedsthill) Sqnundertook his Gliding Scholarship Training at Highland

Gliding Club, just outside Elgin. Josh was one of fiveCadets from across North East Scotland Wing andHighland Wing who took part in the week long scholarship.

Over the course of the week, Josh advanced his flyingskills and learned to master the winch launch, circuit,approach and landing. Josh progressed throughout the

week and after dealing with a number of simulated cable breakson Friday morning, Chief Flying Instructor Geddes Chalmersauthorised Josh to go solo in the glider. Josh successfullycompleted his solo flight, consisting of a winch launch, circuitof the airfield and landing on Friday afternoon.

Josh would like to thank all the Members, Winch Drivers andInstructors at Highland Gliding Club for there hospitality,assistance and expert tuition over the course of the week!

CADETS SCHOLARSHIPS AT HIGHLAND GLIDING CLUB

International Air Cadet Exchange 2015 - the paperwork has beenemailed to Squadrons.

The 16 countries exchanging with the UK are Australia, Belgium,Canada, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ghana, HongKong, Israel, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea,Switzerland, Turkey and the USA. Adult escorts are provided forAustralia (1), Canada (2), China (1), Ghana (2), Hong Kong (1),Israel (1), New Zealand (1), and the USA (2). IACE will take placeover the period 22 Jul to 6 Aug 15. Travel arrangements mayextend this period.

For more info speak to your OC ASAP as the time scale forsubmission of applications is short.

If eligible for IACE please make sure you know which countriesSNI have been allocated and which are male and female slots.The Region will aim to assist with half the airfare and there are11 places available this year - 6 male and 5 female!

If interested get the deatails from your OC, Selected cadets willgain a Wg Interview (Dec/Jan and the top cadets will representtheir Wg at the Regional interviews (7 & 8 Feb). Good Luck!!

Congratulations to DepOC Wing, Sqn Ldr Ed Crawley,who was presented the Lord Lieutenant's Certificate

of Meritorious Service, by the Lord Lieutenant ofRenfrewshire , Guy Clark, at Paisley Town Hall last night,in a plush presentation ceremony attended by ATC, ACF,SCC and LRFCA personnel.

Well done Sqn Ldr Crawley !

IACE 2015DETAILS OUT NOW MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD

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Late November saw an NCO training/selection weekendbeing held and five cadets who are hoping to become

NCOs attended. They had teaching sessions oncommunication, leadership, discipline, welfare, drill anduniform and had to sit a test and be interviewed.

They also had to take charge of leadership tasks while thestaff assessed their performance. All of the cadets did verywell and the assessment will continue over the next fewweeks.

Well done all and good luck for the next stage!

MONTROSE NCO TRAININGA student at the University of Ulster enjoyed his first trip to

London this week, with the icing on the cake being thepresentation of a coveted national award for his outstandingability as a pilot.

Michael Jennings, 19, from Drumbo in County Down, waspresented with the 2014 Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Trophyfor Flying Excellence at the RAF in Concert event at the CadoganHall, in London, by the Bands of the RAF. He received his awardfrom the leader of the RAF’s aerobatic display team, the RedArrows, Sqn Ldr David ‘Monty’ Montenegro.

The Trophy is awarded annually by the Trust to the top-performing Air Cadet who, in the opinion of the Air CadetOrganisation (ACO), has shown both outstanding flying abilityand personal qualities.

Currently a Cadet Warrant Officer with 817 (Lisburn) Sqn and664 Volunteer Gliding Sqn (VGS) at Newtownards, Michael willbe leaving Cadets when he’s 20 in January, and rejoin as anadult Civilian Gliding Instructor at 664 VGS.

He says: “My vision is not 20/20, so unfortunately I can't join theRAF as a pilot, but I’d like to gain my PPL and fly civilian aircraft,and also fly the Grob Vigilant at the VGS, teaching cadets howto fly.” He is currently studying Electronic Engineering at theUniversity of Ulster.

Michael said: “The RAF in Concert was absolutely incredible.The band were not just playing music, they all had their ownindividual character and it just made everything they did bothfunny and entertaining. It's not often you leave an orchestralperformance with a sore stomach from laughing!

He added: “I met James May and Air Marshal Sir Kevin Leeson,Chairman of the Charitable Trust, and the highlight was beingable to talk to the Red Arrows, asking them how they got to wherethey are today and how they started flying. It was amazing to beable to talk to the best aerobatic display team in the world socasually!

“The night was definitely one of the highlights of my life so far. Itwas an honour to meet so many new and friendly people, thanksto the Charitable Trust. I cannot thank them enough!”

The concert was the scene for another presentation when, onbehalf of the Charitable Trust, Top Gear presenter James Maypresented Gp Capt Jim Leggat, Regional Commandant AirCadets Scotland & Northern Ireland, with a cheque for £250,000.This is the latest instalment of an overall grant of £625,000 tofund 25 flight simulators for Air Cadets.

Ulster Student Picks Up Excellence Award

Michael receiving his Trophy from ‘Red One’, Sqn LdrDavid ‘Monty’ Montenegro, watched by his parents

Nigel and Wendy

A brave teenager who survived a devastating cardiac arrest has had a dream come true after becoming an air cadet.Schoolboy Lewis Burns, 15, collapsed and "died" in his family living room after his heart stopped beating when he was

just 10.

Paramedics fought to bring him back to life, but his windpipe was damaged in the desperate attempt to save him.Tragically, Lewis from Knightswood, Glasgow, has been left unable to speak for five years and has to breathe through a holein his throat. (Continued on page 8)

Scottish schoolboy’s flying dreams come true five years after surviving cardiac arrest

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AND IT’S FAREWELL FROM ME…………

Well I have finally made the decision to retire from uniformed service at the end of December 2014. I joined the ACOin May 1970 as a cadet at the age of 13 Yrs and 11 Months, but it doesn’t seem like 44 ½ years have passed. I have

had many great times over the years and had the pleasure of meeting so many good people in that time.

I have been a cadet, squadron officer, squadron OC, ScotSATT Instructor, Wing Staff Officer and Finally Regional StaffOfficer in that time. I started the Regional newsletter way back in 2007, where it was a double page, produced in MicrosoftWord. Over the intervening years we have had between 8 and 14 editions per year, which I hope you have enjoyed.

My last tasks will be running the Regional Media Communications Course being held at RAF Leuchars over the period 12- 14 Dec and publishing this newsletter by the 19th of Dec.

I handover the job to my deputy, Flt Lt Frank Wielbo at the end of the month. Thanks for all your support over the years,it has been truly a pleasure working with you.

Sqn Ldr John Walker RAFVRT RMCO

Cpl Declan Broatch from 2180 Sqn wasamong a number of RAF Youth Members

who spent a VIP Day at RAF Scampton afterentering an on-line competition on the RAFAYouth Website.

Declan spent the day with the Reds and theBlues and visited the Scampton Heritage Centreand from all accounts had a terrific time!

RAFA YOUTH WINNERRecently 2449 Carnoustie Sqn had a visit from the parents of an ex

cadet who was injured in an IED explosion in Afghanistan. Phil andRhona Ogilvie explained to cadets the story of their son Kev and thesupport that they and other service families have received from the RAFBenevolent Fund and SSAFA.

Cadet SGT Young also had the opportunity to present £200 for thecharities, that he had raised by participating in the Glen Clova XtremeDuathlon.

CARNOUSTIE SUPPORT SERVICE CHARITIES

Specialists haveimplanted a

miniature defibrillator in his heart to shock himback to life as he risks suffering another near-fatal episode.His dreams of growing up to become a pilot havebeen shattered because of his heart conditionand loss of voice.But he is managing to live part of his dream afterbecoming a cadet in the Air Training Corps(ATC) based in Broomhill, Glasgow.

(Continued from page 7)

"Lewis is a huge fan of planes,flight and designing aircraft," saidproud mum Lynne. "He would havedone anything to train as a pilot buthis serious heart condition andvoice problems have destroyedthat dream."So joining the ATC is a greatopportunity achieve what he can

on the ground. He has already 'flown' on a flight simulator and passedwith flying colours."The unit has been fantastic about welcoming him because he has a lotto offer."The determined fourth-year pupil at St Thomas Aquinas School,Jordanhill, is studying to gain entry to a design and engineering universitycourse.Lynne has joined as a civilian committee member which allows her to beat the base in another room in case Lewis has a medical emergency.Story and picture courtesy of the Sunday Post.