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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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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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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