DNW Smash Their D of E Record!

Air Cadets from across Durham/Northumberland Wing area achieved an outstanding 234 Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards in 2016, breaking all previous records. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a key element of the Air Cadet offer, and every young person in the organisation is encouraged to enrol and take part. From Volunteering with their local Brownie pack, to learning new skills such as Aeromodelling, Website design and Music, the Cadets can participate in a hugely wide range of activities. Cadets in the 35 Squadrons across the Durham/Northumberland area can register for the Bronze Award as soon as they are in Year 9 at school, and many then progress on to the Silver and Gold Awards, culminating in a visit to St...

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Regional Training Day Success for DNW!

Cadets and Staff from across Durham/Northumberland Wing travelled to RAF Linton-on-Ouse to take part in the Regional Training Day, competing against the 4 other Wings in North Region Air Cadets in disciplines as varied as First Aid, Band, Aeromodelling, Drill, Media and Aircraft Recce. Huge congratulations go to our fantastic Wing band Durham/Northumberland Wing - Music, who not only won the Marching Band category, but also came 1st in the Ensemble category! Sqn Ldr Graham Blackie, representing OC Wing, said, "The hard work of the staff and cadets to pull together a true Wing band from throughout the Squadrons has been rewarded today with the award of Regional Champions. I had the honour of being the senior officer on the parade...

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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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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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Join as Staff

Volunteering with the Air Cadets is a great way to spend your free time and make friends along the way! It's also a great opportunity to give something back to your local community.      Click HERE to register your interest!    Joining our team will give you a chance to put your skills to use, no matter how diverse. All kinds of people make up our volunteer staff, coming from a range of backgrounds and interests.  Maybe you have a knowledge of the Armed Forces (although this is by no means essential); maybe you have a background in outdoor activities or sports; maybe you have some aviation knowledge; or maybe you are just keen to develop and train young...

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Join as a Cadet

To the join the Air Cadets as a cadet and enjoy the exciting range of activities that young people near you are experiencing you need to be aged between 12 (and in Year 8 at school) and 17 years old. If you would like to locate your nearest squadron you can contact Durham Northumberland headquarters on 0191 213 1919 or use our Squadrons page by clicking here. If you live outside this area visit the Squadron Locator section of the Air Cadet Website. Whichever squadron you choose to join you are guaranteed a friendly welcome; it is recommended that you take a parent to the squadron with you when you go and enquire. All cadets are required to follow a Cadet Code of Conduct which outlines...

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