Alex Flying High on Cloud Nine!

A Longbenton Air Cadet is on cloud nine after earning his flying wings! After undergoing a selection day, which assessed his aptitude, knowledge and skills in a simulated environment, Alex McGowan, 17, bagged himself a prestigious flying scholarship. The Longbenton High school student went to Dundee to gain his Flying Wings with Tayside Aviation. He said of the fully sponsored opportunity, “The course was the best two weeks of my life! The instructors focussed on the areas I needed to improve which helped to increase my confidence. “However, when I flew my first sortie alone I was really nervous! The pilot told me to hold the aircraft on the taxi-way and he got out, saying “Good luck in your your...

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Silver Gliding Wings for Bedlington Air Cadet

Congratulations and well done to Sgt Esmee Webley, an Air Cadet with 2522 (Bedlington) Sqn, who has been awarded with her Silver Gliding Wings after completing the new Silver Gliding Course. Sgt Webley was the only cadet selected from the North Region and has spent a week at RAF Syerston where she completed 43 launches in the Grob Viking Glider as part of the course which ended with her completing a solo flight in the glider. This is a great achievement for Sgt Webley, who lives in Morpeth and attends the Air Cadet unit in Bedlington. It is a great experience and one step closer to her goal of becoming a pilot in the Royal Air Force.

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Solo Flight for Durham Air Cadet!

A teenager from Durham was lucky enough to be selected for the Air Cadet Pilot Scheme, spending two weeks training – culminating in a solo flight! James Kirton, 19, of the Gilesgate area of Durham City, was one of 186 cadets across the UK to complete the Air Cadet Pilot Scheme this year. The scheme includes 12 hours of free flying training over 2 weeks at Tayside Aviation in Dundee. Students on the course spend one week learning the basics of flying the 2-seater Aquila 211, and then in week 2 are given increasingly more control over the aircraft, culminating in the opportunity to undertake a solo flight. James said, “The feeling of flying an aircraft by yourself is truly...

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Cadets Support Anzac Day Commemorations

Cadets from 1801 Alnwick Sqn Royal Air Force Air Cadets took part in a special service of Commemoration at Chevington Cemetery in Northumberland at the weekend, in conjunction with the Newcastle and Gateshead Branch of the Royal Air Force Association. The service and parade marked Anzac Day, when we remember all Australians and New Zealanders who have served and died in war and on operational service.

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Air Cadet Leaders Put Through Their Paces at RAF Cranwell

Two recently appointed Adult Volunteers from 2505 (Bishop Auckland) Squadron Air Cadets have attended and successfully completed the SNCO Staff Initial Course (SSIC) at the Adult Training Facility at RAF Cranwell. Sergeant (ATC) Caroline Hodgson and Sergeant (ATC) Malcolm Edwards took part in the week-long course along with other newly appointed Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) from around the country. They were taught how to instruct drill and other subjects, as well as developing their knowledge of safeguarding, and their own personal leadership skills. "'The course was very good with open and honest discussions facilitated by experienced staff. The challenges presented throughout the intensive week enabled us to develop as leaders within the Royal Air Force Air Cadets," said Sgt Edwards. The pair's CO,...

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Cadets Selected for Prestigious Flying Scholarships

Four Cadets from Durham/Northumberland Wing have been selected by North Region for the Air Cadet Pilot Scheme 2017! Congratulations to CWO Richardson of 1114 Gosforth Squadron - Air Cadets, CWO McAree and Sgt Newton of 861 (Wideopen) Squadron ATC, and Cpl McGowan of 2344 (Longbenton) Air Cadet Squadron! We are looking forward to seeing some photos of your progress over the next few months! Well done also to FS King of 1932 Blackhall ATC Squadron and Cdt Scott of 2344 (Longbenton) Air Cadet Squadron who have been selected as reserves - fingers crossed you get a place! Here's a photo of one of our Cadets from 1507 (Chester-le-Street) Squadron who completed his Flying Scholarship last year...

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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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Morpeth Air Cadet Leader Retires After 20 Years

Morpeth Air Cadet Leader Retires After 20 Years A Northumberland Air Cadet Officer is retiring after notching up 20 years continuous service with Durham/Northumberland Wing ATC. Flight Lieutenant Bob Donothey joined 242 (Cramlington) Squadron in 1996 as a Civilian Instructor, and 4 years later was commissioned into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Training Branch). He took over as Officer Commanding 404 (Morpeth) Squadron in February 2002 – a position which he has held for 14 years. In that time, Bob has ably led the Squadron through significant development, ensuring that his Cadets and Staff have had access to exciting opportunities and challenging training. Those opportunities offered to the Cadets by Bob and his team included overseas trips to Crete, where...

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Nijmegen Training Begins!

Cadets from across Durham/Northumberland Wing gathered at Albemarle Barracks last weekend to undertake the first of the training and selection events for Nijmegen 2017! This year was the first time for over a decade that the Wing had entered Cadets for the 4-day Marches in Holland, and the event proved so successful that the aim is to enter a team in the 2017 event made up solely of DNW Cadets. Cadets and Staff undertook a lengthy march on the old airfield site, and started the important process of teambuilding which is an essential element of any successful effort! The candidates will need to attend monthly training weekends between now and next summer to prepare for this challenging task.

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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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