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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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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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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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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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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Drill & Ceremonial

Drill is a useful tool to instil discipline and teamwork and gives a great sense of achievement when mastered correctly. When a group of cadets walk on to a parade square they are all individuals, but as soon as a session of drill begins the cadets become a team, following the orders given by one individual. All cadets and uniformed staff are expected to achieve a reasonably good standard of Drill but many aspire to become experts and eventually instructors. With a few years’ experience you could pass on your knowledge and experience to other cadets, instructing them on how to participate in a drill squad, taking charge of a drill squad yourself, or even playing a major part in...

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