S&NI Newsletter

2013 Issue 1

Newsletter DateMar 2013

In this Issue:

1. Rolls Royce Dining In Night2. Isle of Bute Hike3. BTEC success for Bathgate5. IACE to Canada6. Rotary Youth Leader Award7. Bathgate Burns Supper8. Presentation of Parchment9. Olympic Torchbearer Story

We are delighted to announce that the AirCadets have been invited to join an

exciting Comic Relief project involving BluePeter’s Helen Skelton and the Royal AirForce’s Red Arrows.

Although the project is still in the earlyplanning stages please stand-by for anexciting announcement in the New Year.

In the meantime start thinking of exciting andnovel ways to raise money for Comic Reliefwhich you can submit after January’sannouncement.

You never know, you and your squadron maybe included in the Comic Relief celebrationson TV!!

Watch the website for further details as soonas they become available.

It is hardly surprising that Scotlandand Northern Ireland should have a

Pipe Band as their regional band. Whatis surprising is that the band drawsmembers from four of the six AirTraining Corps Regions.

The band, which regularly performs atNational events within Scotland and,along with pipers from the other cadetforces, often takes part in key events,and last year performed as part of theQueen’s Diamond Jubilee GardenParty at Balmoral.

The Scotland and Northern IrelandRegional Pipe Band is, therefore, aNational band in all but name – until the1st of January 2013 when they officiallybecame a National band: The Pipesand Drums of the Air CadetOrganisation.

Wing Commander Colin McCrae, theBand’s chairman, was delighted withthe news:

He said: “This is welcome recognitionfor a group of exceptionally talentedyoung musicians and the adult staffwho have supported the developmentof Highland Piping and Drumming inthe Corps. It also recognises thetremendous support andencouragement we have received fromScotland & Northern Ireland Region,HQ Air Cadets, the RFCAs in Scotlandand not least from our colleagues inACF Piping and Drumming.”

“This is excellent news for not only thecurrent pipers and drummers but alsofor the staff and supporters across theCorps who over the years haveencouraged, nurtured, borrowed,begged and cajoled to get to where weare today,” agreed Gp Capt JimLeggat, Regional Commandant forScotland & Northern Ireland.

“In my short time in post, I havewitnessed the pipes and drumsperforming at Balmoral Castle for theQueen and at the Cadet National Pipesand Drums Competition. On these andother occasions, they have clearly

demonstrated they are force to bereckoned with. They already havecontributors and supporters from mostof the ACO Regions and I am certainthe granting of National Band statuswill further enhance the standing of theband and assist in bringing furtherperformers and supporters fromacross the Corps.”

Principal Director of Music for the AirCadets, Wg Cdr Gil Singleton, alsowelcomed the decision.

He commented: “I am delighted thatthis unique area of National andMilitary Music has been added to theACO’s portfolio of musical excellence.”

Scotland, although part of the UnitedKingdom, has its own traditions –including its music. This is an elementof diversity that has been accepted onboth sides of the border since the Actsof Union of 1706 and 1707.

Even before the Acts of Union therewere pipe bands in the British Army –the Royal Scots have records referringto pipers dating back to the earlyseventeenth century – and there areexamples of pipers leading troops intoaction in the 20th Century – forinstance at El Alamein, Dieppe and onthe Normandy beaches.

This military tradition is not limited tothe Army; RAF Apprentices used tomarch to work behind the RAF HaltonPipe Band - and there are stillVoluntary Pipe Bands in the RAFtoday – including two outsideScotland: at RAF Waddington andRAF Halton. (Continued on page 2)

Exciting Comic ReliefProject in the Pipeline

Regional Pipe Band Achieves National Status

S&NI Regional NewsPage 2

Indeed the Air Marshall Sir DustyMiller has recently contacted Commandant ACO on behalf ofthe Halton Apprentices Association (HAA). The HAA have apipe band which they call “The Golden Oldies” – none of themembers are in their first flush of youth. They are keen to keepthe tradition of pipe music outside Scotland alive and may beable to offer practical help at a local level.

There are already a number of active pipe bands and individualpipers throughout the country but if your squadron is interestedin introducing pipe music as a new activity speak to yoursquadron commander – who can then contact the relevantofficer at Headquarters Air Cadets through the chain ofcommand.

(Continued from page 1)

For more than eight years, the RAF Association (RAFA) hasbeen running its Flying Scholarship programme for the Air

Cadet Organisation (ACO) and the Girls Venture Corps AirCadets (GVCAC).

The Flying Scholarship award is presented each year as athank you to members of both the ACO (which includes the AirTraining Corps and the Combined Cadet Force) and theGVCAC for their continuous support to the RAF Association.

Winning candidates are rewarded with a course of 35 hoursflight training in a light aircraft, and the course covers all or partof the tuition needed to obtain a National Private Pilot Licence(NPPL). Four runners-up receive 12 hours training each.

To be eligible for the award you need to have been a memberof the ACO or GVCAC for at least 12 months on 1st January.

The closing date for the RAF Association Flying ScholarshipScheme is Thursday 31st January 2013.

To enter and be in with a chance of winning a fantasticScholarship, simply download the Application Form and Terms& Conditions via the RAFA website (www.rafa.org.uk ).

Alternatively, these are available by post from Anne Henson(Services Liaison Manager) at the RAF Association, CentralHeadquarters, 117½ Loughborough Road, Leicester, LE4 5ND,by calling 0116 268 8752 , or contacting Anne onanne.henson@rafa.org.uk

RAF Careers Status….

We've opened some moreroles for applications.Gen Tech ElectricalGen Tech WorkshopsGen Tech MechanicalRAF PoliceAll now available to apply for.Call 0845 605 5555 to startyour application today.

SNI Region Status…..

Unit OCs have the info links intheir email box with a deadlineset for the applications andCCFs to Wg HQ - 25 Jan 13

RAC Radio Cse 2 - VHF Cse1 - 3 Feb 13 - Info/applicationform on the Regional BaderSharepoint Site.

The only prerequisite is thatyou must be a Leading Cdt.You need this Cse to apply forany other RAC RadioCse......last chance this yearto get on a VHF Cse as Cse 1is already set up for nextweekend and all the other Trgweekends help cadets gainthe other modules required forthe Communicator Badge.

SNI Region Status……

Any CFAV interested in theSJA Activity First Aid (GreenBadge) Trainer Assessor Cse,please speak to your OC whohas the info in their mail boxfor a selection Cse to be heldin Mar 13. Deadline forapplications - 15 Feb 13

RAFA Flying Scholarship Scheme

FACEBOOK SNIPPETS

2466 (Loanhead) Sqn Status……

Intense times in the war room as team loanhead (minusWallace) get a whooping in exercise airstrike during the VHFcourse.

2175 (Rolls-Royce) squadron held their annual dining in night at the endof last year. The ceremony was held at the Watermill hotel in Paisley and

was attended by cadets, staff, civilian committee members, visiting staff andcadets from other squadrons as well as 2 ex-commanding officers.

After a three course dinner, commanding officer Flt Lt Suzanne Callanpresented awards to those cadets who had excelled throughout the year.

Master Training Trophy - CWO McKenzie

Senior Training Trophy - Cpl Bradley(Continued on page 3)

2175 (Rolls-Royce) Dining In Night

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Four Cadets were chosento stay a night camping in

Rothesay along with Rolls-Royce and ClydebankSquadrons. We had thewonderful company of FlightLieutenant Callan and FlightSargeant Gladwell. FlyingOfficer Miller and FlightLieutenant Quinnaccompanied us also.

32F were to meet outside thesquadron at 7am with all ourstuff ready to go onto the bus.We picked us the Rolls-Royce cadets at theirsquadron then made our wayto the ferry. Everyone gotacquainted on the ferry. Theferry journey wasn't long andwe arrived at Rothesay.

We were taken to a beachwere we got to enjoy the viewof the beach and some of theRolls-Royce cadets cookedtheir first meal of the trip usinga small gas stove. We also gotto watch a special Air Show.

We also got taken toanother spot where webumped into thepracticing team for the

Duke of Edinburgh, howeveron our way to meet them, theFlying Officer managed to getthe bus stuck so everyone hadto get out and push the bus!

We eventually got taken to thecamp site where everyone setup their tents and unpacked abit. The camp site had a small

wooden cabinwith toilets and agames room. TheFlt Sgt showedeveryone how tocook and we allcooked ourdinner. Everyonehad fun playingabout the campsite.

This trip wasarranged so that Flying OfficerMiller could achieve his BasicExpedition Leaders award, thismeans that we will have onemember of staff that is trainedto take other cadets on theirDuke of Edinburgh. Some of

the Rolls-Royce andClydebank squadrons hadcadets who were doing theirbronze Duke of Edinburghaward. This meant that theywere to plan out a hill walk andset times for when they shouldbe at a certain spot whichwould be the end of the walk.Once they had arrangedeverything they would be sentoff to start their walk. 32Fcadets were practicing andgaining the map reading skillsthat they would need so thatthey could eventually go andtry for their Duke of Edinburgh.

This trip was one of the besttrips the squadron hadarranged all year, it was agreat success. The cadets hadan amazing time! The flyingofficer achieved his BELaward and Rolls-Royce cadetsachieved their Duke ofEdinburgh award! Over all itwas a great weekend !Hopefully the squadron willarrange another!

Thank you to

Flying Officer MillerFlight LieutenantQuinnFlight LieutenantCallanFlight SergeantGladwell

for making theweekend soamazing!

At the latest Senior Cadetand Civilian Instructor

Training Course 28 Cadetsand 11 Civilian Instructorssucessfully passed out asadult members of the AirTraining Corps.

The course is essential for allcadets who wish to staybeyond 18 years old as a StaffCadet and for all newlyappointed Civilian Instructors.Candidates learnt about theATC, RAF, Health and Safetyand Child Protection. Theyalso prepared and deliveredgroup presentations and tookpart in discussions, leadershipexercises and drill sessions.

At the end of the weekend,Cadet Sargeant Gavin Hewittfrom 2175 (Rolls-Royce)Squadron was awrded theASTRA Cup as the best cadetof the course. He waspresented with the Trophy byCourse Director, SquadronLeader Brian McCotter.(pictured below)

Isle of Bute Hike

Many of you may have heard various rumours about 661VGS, the airfield and current flying states. To keep you all inthe loop I can advise you of the following:

A Message from 661 VGS - HQAC have allocated funding tothe VGS and firstly, an investment of £750K is being made inthe glider runways to bring them back up to the requiredstandard. This investment will secure the site as a VGS for thenext 25 years and will involve both drainage, new grass andrunway repairs. Secondly, HQAC have allocated sufficientfunding, in this year, to replace the Male accommodation.

The new accommodation will provide DDA compliant facilitiesand proper segregation of under 18/over 18 Male Cadets andAdult Instructors and Officers, allowing an increased staffingnumbers by 16. There are also plans to improve the femaleaccommodation blocks although (Continued on page 4)

Drill Efficiency - Cpl Rae

Recruit of the Year & Attendance - Cdt McEwan S

Sports - Cdt Cunningham

Junior Cadet of the Year & Marksmanship Trophy - Cdt Rae (F)

NCO of the Year - Sgt Hewitt

Cadet of the Year - Cpl Adam

Bank of Scotland Quaich for Outstanding Achievement - CWOClaire McKenzie

(Continued from page 2)

Senior CadetTraining Course

661 VGS UPDATE

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I was given the opportunity tocomplete my Air Cadet

Gliding Scholarship course atRM Condor, in the Vikingaircraft, shortly before the startof November in 2012. TheGliding Scholarship courseconsists of 40 launches for theBlue Wings and furtherlaunches are awarded if youare deemed to be suitable for asolo Flight.

On the 10th of November, myfirst weekend at 662 VGS, Ihad to start some of the theorywork behind the course so thatwhen I did get into the Vikingfor some flying the principleswould already meansomething to me.

It made the learning process alot simpler. I only spent theSaturday morning doing thetheory and I got 8 launchesthat afternoon which was 47minutes of flight time.

I progressed quickly in this firstday but was sad when therewas only enough staff to fly theGIC Cadets on the Sundaywhich I meant I would help outthat day in launching andretrieving aircraft.

Sadly I did not get back up to662 for nearly a month afterthis weekend. This was formany different reasons from astaff members wedding to thehorrific weather that we werefaced with at the end of 2012.

My next weekend up was the1st and 2nd of December. Theweekend didn't get off to abrilliant start as a new winchdid not arrive until after 11o'clock on the Saturday. Wespent until half past onechecking all of the winchcables but due to somethingbreaking on one of the winchdrums the checks took a lotlonger than normal and wewere one cable down.

These series of unfortunateevents meant I only got 5launches on the Saturday butthe Sunday saw me get 13

launches with exceptionalweather for the time of year.The weather as usual saw thefollowing weekends weatherbe really poor meaning I got 5launches in the wholeweekend. This did not halt myprogress though as goodheadway was made in thistime.

The next weekend I was upwas the first weekend of theNew Year. The weather wasnot great on the Saturdaywhich meant we didn't think Iwould make much progressbut after a good day at thecontrols we were provedotherwise after fine tuningcircuits and mastering bothLow-level and Medium-levellaunch failures with only oneattempt at each.

The Sunday would see mecomplete my GlidingScholarship and be ready to flysolo the next time I was up. Yetagain though, good progresson the Sunday morning meantthat my competency wasassessed on the Sundayafternoon for flying solo.

Nobody had expected me togo solo this weekend,including myself, but I graspedat the opportunity when it wasgiven to me. The staffmembers at 662 wereabsolutely brilliant with me andsupported me every step of theway.

The tuition and generalatmosphere when therealways kept me motivatedeven when tired. I would say toany cadet that ever got theopportunity to go on to yourGliding Scholarship to take itno matter what and enjoyevery moment as myscholarship lasted for fourweekends and they were byfar and away the four bestweekends of my life so far.

Cpl Craig Smith1271 (Bathgate) SquadronATC

Big congratulations to CdtRobbie Clarkson (aged

14) from 1271 (Bathgate) AirCadets who was recentlyawarded a BTEC Level 1certificate in Teamwork andPersonal Skills for CadetsAward. Cdt Clarkson was thefirst cadet in West ScotlandWing to be awarded thisaward, complementing hisrecent completion of his firstclassclassification. Toachieve thisaward, CdtClarkson hasundertook trainingin map reading,expedition skills aswell as physicalfitness.

Squadron Commander Flt LtGreer commented on thissuccess saying "It has been ahighly rewarding experiencing

for Cdt Clarkson who hasmatured greatly whilstcompeting this. The awardwill equip Cdt Clarkson withskills and knowledge whichwill prove invaluablethroughout his cadet careeras well as enhancing hisemployability in future years."

BTEC Diploma in PublicService hones your skills in

leadership, teamwork,communication, problemsolving and fitness, doing amix of theory and practicalwork. Continuing on theirBTEC successes, Cdt SgtEmma Farrell and Cdt CplDavid Fleming werepresented with their Diplomaat Distinction Star Level - theequivalent of four standardgrades at Level 1.

Cdt Sgt Farrell, Cdt CplFleming, pictured with CITony Holloran, SquadronBTEC Officer.

Gliding Scholarship - My Own Story

BTEC Success for 1271 (Bathgate)

nothing has been confirmed at this point.

At the moment flying has been suspended at RAF Kirknewtondue to the groundwork’s that have already started. We arecurrently opperating along side 662 VGS at RM Condor toincrease the number of cadets flying each weekend. To stay upto date with the progression of the airfield, you can follow us onFacebook and Twitter. Search for 661 Volunteer GlidingSquadron to find us or visit (Continued on page 7)

(Continued from page 3)

S&NI Regional NewsPage 5

As I sat on the train down toLondon, I couldn't belief

that IACE was finallyhappening. When I receivedmy itinerary in May it allseemed so far away and sounbelievable - I couldn'tbelieve that I was going to belucky enough to do everythingon the itinerary and thateverything there could becrammed into two and a halfweeks.

All the UK cadets met at BrunelUniversity, London, where wewere given a welcome briefand then free time to socialiseand meet the people who wewould be spending the bestpart of the next three weekswith, before heading to bedearly-ish as breakfast was at6am prompt. Following that wewere transported in ourrespective groups toHeathrow. This wasparticularly exciting asHeathrow was the main airportfor the Olympic Games whichwere taking part in Londonover the summer. We evenmanaged to spot a fewOlympians, althoughunfortunately none of which werecognised.

The plane journey to Torontowas long, but we had a goodtime, there were numerousfilms and TV programmes towatch and it gave us a chanceto get to know other membersof the group. On arrival at

Toronto airport we sampledour first "Tim Horton's", acoffee shop and bakery chainthat is a Canadian icon - it hasmore stores across Canadathan McDonalds, and issomething we grew veryaccustomed to during our timethere! We then had a shortconnecting flight to Ottawawhere we were met by CaptainMartine LeMieux, one of twoCanadian Escorts for our trip.We then had a short coachjourney (the first of many) toour accommodation for thenight, a university in Ottawa.This is where we wereintroduced to our fellowexchange cadets and weregiven a welcome brief beforegoing pretty much straight tobed (we had been awake fornearly 24 hours).

The next day we were givenanother brief before a visit tothe Canadian Parliament. Wewere given a VIP position inthe parade ground for thechanging of the guard, Iparticularly found thisinteresting because the bandthat were playing were a pipeband, complete with bagpipesand kilts. We then were givena tour of parliament, which wasactually similar once inside tothe UK parliament atWestminster. Then after lunchwe went to the "AborigineExperience" where we wereshown all about aboriginal life,how they build their tepees

and wigwams, how theysurvived and we were given ameal of buffalo and took part intraditional dancing. The nextmorning we were up early togo white water rafting on theOttawa River, which wasincredible, if a little scary.

We then travelled to CanadianForces Base Trenton wherewe attended a Canadian aircadet graduation paradebefore leaving to visitHamilton, however we wouldbe returning to Trenton a fewdays later. In Hamilton we hada tour of the CanadianWarplane Heritage Museumand had dinner under one ofonly two surviving airworthyLancaster Bombers in theworld, the other being from theBattle of Britain MemorialFlight based at RAFConingsby.

The next morning was the visitI was most excited about - atrip to Niagara Falls and acruise on the "Maid of theMist". Visiting the falls wasawe-inspiring, it was truly anunforgettable experience and,in my opinion, one of the mostbeautiful views in the entireworld. The next day we visitedFort George, a historic militaryfort that was the site of someof the battles of the War of1812. We were guided on ourtour by a "British redcoatsoldier" before seeing adisplay of rifle firing. We

visited Niagara-on-the-Lakebefore arriving at our hotel forthe night, where we enduredanother huge meal.

The following morning wevisited "Canada'sWonderland" a theme parkwhich housedthe scariest rides I'd ever beenon, as well as a water park anda laser quest arena, one of thegames of which I surprisinglywon, winning a toy light up gunfor my efforts. We thenreturned to Trenton where wevisited 8th Wing TrentonNational Air Force Museumand were given a chance to gogliding. This was a fascinatingexperience as the Canadiancadet gliders are very differentfrom ours, they are woodenand are launched by aerotow -an aeroplane which haulsthe glider into the sky beforereleasing the cable. I waseven given a chance to fly theglider since I had completedmy Gliding Scholarship in theUK. We then visited theTrenton Air Cadet SummerTraining Camp and attended aparty thrown for us by theCanadian cadets.

We then had a 3 hour busjourney to visit Quebec andthe Canadian Space Agencywhich was very interesting,even if it did remind me slightlyof something from aHollywood space film. Our busthen (Continued on page 6)

Air Cadet Exchange to Canada

S&NI Regional NewsPage 6

ropes course, before travellingto meet our host families. Thisis the part of IACE I was mostnervous about, not only wouldI be staying with a family ofstrangers for a wholeweekend, they were fromQuebec so I didn't know if theywould even speak English. Itturned out that only the motherspoke any English, so shetranslated and we had funtrying to converse in myattempt at French which Ihadn't studied for four years.They didn't laugh at me toomuch. We had a greatweekend with our host family,visiting the sights of Quebec,seeing a light and fireworksshow, having a lakesidebarbeque and on the Sundayevening our host family held aparty which most of the othercadets attended.

We said our farewell's to ourhost family on Mondaymorning, aware that our tripwas now almost over. Wereturned to Montreal andrejoined the other bus beforevisiting the International CivilAviation Organisation. Thenwe travelled back to the hoteland got ready for the Farewell

Dinner, a formal dinner wherewe were given the chance tothank everyone whoorganised the trip and made itsuch a success. We then hada disco before returning to ourhotel to start getting packed, intotal disbelief that we had onlyone day left. On the final daywe were given the chance togo shopping and started to sayour goodbyes as some peoplewould be leaving in the middleof the night. We then had along flight home, excited tosee our families and friendsbut disappointed it was allover. I still keep in contact withsome of the other cadets,through Facebook and e-mailit's incredibly easy and the UKcadets are planning a meet upin London sometime soon.

Overall I would say IACE waseasily one of the bestexperiences, not just of myATC career, but in my life. Iwas given the opportunity tovisit another country and seeand do things that I wouldprobably never have beenable to. It gave me the chanceto learn more about differentAir Cadet organisations andaviation in general, but alsoabout different cultures andnationalities which probablytaught me to be more tolerantand respectful. It also gave methe opportunity to be anambassador, for the Corpsand for my country. I wouldgreatly encourage any cadetto apply, as I believe it is oneof the most worthwhile andrewarding opportunities theATC offers us. I would also liketo express my thanks toeveryone who made the trippossible, including ourescorts, host and the AirCadet League of Canada andthe Department of NationalDefence.

Recently Cadet FlightSergeant Jillian Reid of 2519(Strathmore) Squadron,waspresented with her certificatefor attending the Rotary YouthLeadership Camp atNethybridge near Aviemoreby Liz Mason, who is theSecretary of BlairgowrieRotary Club.

Jillian thoroughly enjoyed the“RYLA” Camp (Rotary YouthLeadership Awards) which isRotary's leadership trainingprogram for young people,ages 15-18, in which sherecently had the honour ofbeing invited to participateand attend which covered theTheory of Leadership,Teamwork, SMEAC,(Situation, Mission,Execution, any Questions,Check Understanding).

The Camp was run byRotarians and ProfessionalTrainers

Cadet Flight Sergeant JillianReid stated that if any youngperson gets the chance toparticipate in a ”RYLA” Campthey should grab the chancewith both hands as it is a lifechanging

travelled to Montreal whilst theothers travelled to QuebecCity. Whilst in Montreal wewere given a guided tour of theMontreal Old city and visitedthe Biodome and the OlympicTower, the site of the 1976Summer Olympics. We thenvisited a "Sugar Shack"traditionally a place wheremaple syrup is produced butnow it hosted an evening'sentertainment for us, we hadbacon, eggs, potatoes andpancakes with (with maplesyrup poured on top for theadventurous ones) dessertsmade with maple syrup, andwhen we couldn't eatanymore, we played gamesand danced. When we wereleaving we were given icedmaple syrup on a lolly stick - Ifelt positively sick on the busride to our hotel for the night.

The next morning we travelledto Saint-Hubert where we hadthe incredible opportunity offlying in a Griffon helicopterwith 438 Sqn, I was luckyenough to get the seat facingthe door, which was left openfor the whole journey. We thenvisited Arbre-en-Arbre, a high

(Continued from page 5)

ROTARY YOUTHLEADERSHIP CAMP

1271 (Bathgate) Squadron recently hosted their first Burns Supper Evening which was afantastic success. On Saturday 26th January at the Royal British Legion in Bathgate 90

people - cadets, squadron staff, civilian committee members, family and friends, attendedto celebrate the squadron, cadets and staff successes over the past year.

Wing Commander (Rtd) Eddie Ireland (now a CI at 1271) assumed the role of PMC. Tocommence the festivities, Cdt Hannah Wood recited the Selkirk (Continued on page 7)

Bathgate hold Burns Supper

S&NI Regional NewsPage 7

On 15 February 2013 Air Cdr Gerry Mayhew, StationCommander RAF Leuchars and Air Officer Scotland, presentedSqn Ldr Tony McClelland RAFVR(T) with his commissioningparchment.

The presentation took place at the Air Cadet RegionalHeadquarters (Scotland & Northern Ireland) at RAF Leucharswhere Tony, in his primary role as Major McClelland Small ArmsSchool Corps(Volunteer) was supporting a Skill at ArmsInstructor Course for volunteer staff of the Air Training Corpshosted by the Scottish Small Arms Training Team and taught bythe Air Cadet Organisation Central Training Team. His task wasto validate the course and award qualifications to the successfulstudents on behalf of Director Combat.

Tony was commissioned into the RAFVR(T) in November 2012to support the work of Headquarters Air Cadets GroundTraining Branch as Staff Development Manager and DeputyOfficer Commanding the Air Cadets Central Small ArmsTraining Team which has responsibility for shooting trainingstandards in the Air Cadet Organisation.

He and Air Cdr Mayhew recognised each other in the officers’Mess at RAF Leuchars having met originally while servingoverseas though neither can remember exactly where. Air CdrMayhew was delighted to have the opportunity of making apresentation to a former colleague who is now in such a uniquedual appointment.

Raised and educated inWarwickshire, Air CommodoreGerry Mayhew wascommissioned into the RAF in1988.  After a tour as an AirTraffic Controller at RAFLaarbruch, he re-mustered asa pilot and, having trained onthe Jet Provost and Hawk,was subsequently posted tothe Jaguar and 6 Squadron atRAF Coltishall.

He become a QualifiedWeapons Instructor on theJaguar in 1996 and returned toColtishall and 41(F)Squadron.  He was thenposted to an exchange tourwith the United States AirForce flying the F16C from HillAir Force Base, Utah.

Promoted to SquadronLeader, Air CommodoreMayhew returned to 41(F)Squadron as a FlightCommander in 2000.  In 2003he moved to the PersonnelManagement Agency at RAFInnsworth to becomeresponsible for the careermanagement of the RAF’s fastjet junior pilot cadre.

He then attended the JointServices Command and StaffCollege at Shrivenham andgraduated from the AdvancedCommand and Staff Coursewith an MA in Defence Studiesin 2005.  He was subsequentlyposted to the Joint Doctrineand Concepts Centre as WingCommander Offensive Air.

After a short ground-basedoperational tour in central Iraq,Air Commodore Mayhewassumed command of XIIISquadron in 2007, flying theTornado GR4 from RAFMarham.  He flew the finaloperational RAF fast jet sortie

over Iraq in May 2009,drawing nearly 20 years ofTornado operations in theregion to a close.

At the end of 2009, he wasposted to the Ministry ofDefence as the SeniorAppointments Team Leaderand was promoted to GroupCaptain.  Staying in theMinistry, he spent 18 monthsas Assistant Director JointStrike in the Directorate ofJoint Capability, beforebecoming the DeputyPrincipal Staff Officer to theChief of Defence Staff,General Sir David Richards.

Having been promoted to AirCommodore and completed aTyphoon conversion courseat RAF Coningsby, heassumed command of RAFLeuchars and took up theposition of Air OfficerScotland in Feb 2013. AirCommodore Mayhew hasamassed nearly 3000 flyinghours and has logged over200 operational sorties overthe Balkans and Iraq.

He is married and hisinterests are music,gardening, skiing, andkeeping fit.

Presentation of Commissioning Parchment NEW STATION COMMANDER AND AOSAIR COMMODORE G M MAYHEW ADC MA RAF

http://www.facebook.com/661VGS

Depending on site issues, progress and weather, 661 VGScould be back flying at Kirknewton as early asSeptember/October 2013, fingers crossed!

(Continued from page 4)

Grace and our new Sgt (ATC),Craig Fleming, escorted the piper

to Wg Cdr Ireland who provided a traditional address to thehaggis.

Following a superb meal, 1271 squadron band andBandmaster: Cdt FS Welsh took to the stage for their first publicappearance (Trombone: Cdt Jamie Hamilton; Tuba: Cdt JackOliphant; Flute: Cdt Hannah Wood; Trumpet: Cdt ChloeWhetham; Side Drum: Cdt Callum Noer and Bass Drum: CdtIain Meek), playing a collection of Scottish and traditional songswhich were well received. Mr

(Continued from page 6)

(Continued on page 8)

That’s all for this Regional Newsletter. If you have any articles that you would like published in the next edition, thensend them to Regional HQ for the attention of Sqn Ldr John Walker RAFVR(T).

You can also submit news and photos to the following e-mail address media.sni@aircadets.org

E-Mail - Text in either Word document or plain text files. Photo’s, preferably jpg or png formats (files no greater than 2.5 Mbin Size please) and use E-Mail heading “Regional Newsletter Article” so that it is obvious as to the content.

In between issues of the Regional Newsletter, why not keep up to date by logging on to the Regional web site,http://www.aircadets-sni.org.uk

Indeed we have a number of people who can submit news items directly onto the Regional Website (both staff and cadets).If you are involved in your squadron or Wing in newsletter creation or media comms and would like to become a staff / cadetreporter for your wing or squadron, please get your squadron commander to drop an e-mail to media.sni@aircadets.org withyour relevant details.

Note from the Editor

S&NI Regional NewsPage 8

My passionin the Air

Cadet's iscompeting inSports,whether that isFootball, Cross

Country, or Athletics. I havebeen in the Air Cadets for 5Years now, and for the past 4years I have competed inSports. And those past 4 yearshave been the best years of mylife. Whenever I compete insports with the cadets, I amrepresenting my squadron, mywing and my region whichcould lead to me representingthe corps which I have beenlucky enough to do multipletimes. Guaranteed every time Iwould go and compete in asport, I would bring back aMedal and make my squadronproud.

Sports have given me a lot ofopportunities and have made ahuge impact on my Air Cadetcareer. My success didn't gounnoticed by the staff at mySquadron, and especially notby my CI's who secretlynominated me to be anOlympic Torchbearer afterseeing the Coca Cola advertson television.

When they realised I had typea bit about myself they got ahold of my email andforwarded me the details. I stillhad no idea I was nominatedwhen they came up to me andsaid "check your emails". I was

confused by this and didn'tknow what to expect. So youcan imagine my surprise whenthe following night I opened upmy emails to fine one fromCoca Cola saying I had beennominated to carry the 2012Olympic Torch. At first Ithought it was a joke as I wouldnever have though that I couldever have the chance to dosomething so amazing. Then Istarted to panic as I realised Ihad to write something aboutmyself and why I should begiven this opportunity.

An option for the reply was tomake a video showing why Ishould be nominated. But I

was unable to upload a videoshowing why I should be giventhe opportunity as well asfilling out my little statement.Therefore I thought that mychances on being successfulwere vanishing before myeyes. I didn't want to clickSend because that would bethe start of the waiting game,but I crossed my fingers andpressed send. I didn't expect tohear anything else about it butI was wrong.

Almost a month had passedand I just assumed thatnothing had come of mysubmission. By the Christmaseve I had put it to the back ofmy mind. However, by dinnertime I received a phone call, Ianswered it and it was awoman called DeniseRobertson telling me that Iwas accepted to Be anLondon 2012 OlympicTorchbearer.

I just froze then Denise said"Mr Macduff" and I thought itwas a wind up so I told her"whoever this is, stop callingme" and then I hung up thephone. Thankfully she phonedmy mum back 10 minuteslater. My mum then camesprinting through to mybedroom and shouted "OH MYGOD CRAIG , you are going tocarry the Olympic Torch" itwas then when I realised thatit wasn't a wind up.

After months of waiting my dayfinally arrived and on Fridaythe 8th of June 2012 I becamepart of the Olympic TorchRelay. My 300m run throughMaybole was the proudestmoment of my life. I made myfamily, friends and cadetsproud as I ran past them allwith the glowing torch in myhand. When I looked up at theflame during my 300m ofhappiness a tear came to meeye. It just goes to show youthat nothing is impossible.

Williams recited a Burns poembefore Cdt Cpl Craig Smithreflected on the life of RobertBurns during his immortalmemory. Cdt Flt Sgt DeanWelsh provided a wonderfultoast to the Lassies which hadthe whole room laughing withCdt Sgt Emma Farrellproviding the reply, putting thegents quickly back into theirplace!

A final few words (as shealways has the last word!)from the squadroncommander Flt Lt Greer,hailing the event a hugesuccess, thanking the supportfrom local communitybusinesses for providing raffleprizes; the civilian committeefor organising the event; andcadets and staff for their hardwork and support.

After the formalities of theevening, a ceilidh bandprovided a traditionalcollection of Scottish music.Cadets had been practicingtheir steps at the squadron onthe lead up to the event anddanced the night away withcadets, staff and guests.

Cadets were complementedon contributions and conduct,and parents have requestedthis be an annual event!

(Continued from page 7)Craig Macduff - My Olympic Torchbearer Story