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In this Edition:

● Air Cadets Gliding - 2FTS

● New Officers Appointed

● S. Ayrshire Youth Forum Awards

● Dumfries House

● 1145 Assist Erskine House

● Lossiemouth Honours & Awards

● New Instructor at Portlethan

● Long Service Medal Awarded

● Egg Drop Challenge Winners

Transport of Delight for Scottish Cadets

CADETS from 2496 (Cumbernauld) Sqn arecelebrating their very own transport of delight after

the official handing over of a brand-new 14-seat minibus.

The minibus was officially presented to the squadron byAir Marshal Sir Kevin Leeson, Chairman of the RAFCharitable Trust, and Jim Robertson, Provost of NorthLanarkshire, at a ceremony at the Squadron's ATC centrein Cumbernauld on November 23. The vehicle was boughtwith the help of a grant of £12,000 from the RAF CharitableTrust, grant aid from North Lanarkshire Council and moneyraised by the Cadets themselves.

The new vehicle will be used to transport Cadets and staffto activities, to tow the Squadron's Mobile Flight Simulatorto local community events, and also to be shared with theWest Scotland Wing, making it available to approximately250 Cadets and staff in the area.

Speaking at the presentation, Sir Kevin said: "I am proudto be able to present the minibus on behalf of the RAFCharitable Trust to allow the Air Cadets of CumbernauldSquadron to assist the community even more as part oftheir citizenship training."

He continued: "2496 Sqn's bid for funds was the firstrequest I received when I joined the Charitable Trust as a

Trustee, so I am particularly honoured and thrilled to be hereat the official handover of this impressive vehicle.

"The Trust was created in 2005 to promote, support andencourage the current and future Royal Air Force, and it'sdelighted to have made a significant contribution towardprocuring this important capability.

"Each year the Trust benefits from the money raised at theRoyal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford inGloucestershire, an event attended by over 130,000 peopleand run by a volunteer workforce which includes 500 or moreAir Cadets: it was good to see Cadets from 2496 Sqnassisting us this year."

And he added: "The RAF Charitable Trust is keen to supportthe ATC, its members and particularly its volunteer staff, whoprovide the important leadership and training effort, with themeans to do high-value training and build personal qualities.

"We help fund all sorts of kit from ceremonial banners andmusical instruments, to flight simulators major training aidsand transport. We also help fund key Cadet communicationssuch as Air Cadet Magazine and internet sites, and wesponsor a number of prizes and bursaries to encourageindividual development.

"I know the squadron has put in a lot of fundraising effort tocontribute to the purchase of this minibus and I congratulateyou all on that huge effort, and on its 42 years of good work,while also saluting the generous contribution by NorthLanarkshire Council.

"I hope that this new minibus will serve the squadron and itssister squadrons in the nearby area well and support muchvaluable training in the years to come."

Stewart Campbell of the Squadron's Civilian and WelfareCommittee, said: "This now gives the Squadron expandedability to attend more community events and will also giveCadets throughout the West Scotland Wing area access toa valuable resource to allow them to be transported toevents, camps and flying and gliding. I can't thank the RoyalAir Force Charitable Trust and (Continued on page 2)

REGIONAL NEWSLETTERNo 1 (2014)

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North Lanarkshire for the generous funding provided to thesquadron."

Flt Lt Stevie Cairns, Officer Commanding 2496Cumbernauld Squadron, said: "For many years the owningof a minibus has been a dream, and I am delighted that allthe hard work of the Squadron's Civilian Committee haspaid off. I would also like to thank our sponsors the RoyalAir Force Charitable Trust and North Lanarkshire Councilfor all their help and support to provide funding for theminibus."

Cadet Sergeant Ewan McArthur, 17, said: "The minibuslooks cool with all of the artwork and is really eye-catching",while Cadet brothers Gregg and Evan Robinson agreed thatthe vehicle looks great, adding "people will know when weare around doing things to help others now".

PHOTO: CADETS from 2496 (Cumbernauld) Sqn welcomeAir Marshal Sir Kevin Leeson, Chairman of the RAFCharitable Trust, to try out their new minibus, along with Jim

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The new school, which houses the world’s largest fleetof gliders, will be headed up by a reservist for the first

time.

The No 2 Flying Training School (FTS) becomes a newcentre of excellence in which young people can win theirwings; often before they pass their driving test.

With its headquarters at RAF Syerston in Nottinghamshire,No 2 FTS will oversee the gliding training programme forup to 45,000 air cadets aged between 13 and 19.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir AndrewPulford, said:

“No 2 FTS has a long and distinguished unit history; I amdelighted that it has become the new home of cadet gliding.

The reformation of No 2 FTS is not just another milestonefor Royal Air Force air cadet gliding, it is also one for ourreserve organisation, with John Middleton becoming thefirst full-time reserve service officer at the rank of groupcaptain in a flying command appointment.”

Group Captain John Middleton said:

“I feel honoured to have the opportunity to take air cadetgliding forward into a new era, and thank all at No 3 FlyingTraining School for taking excellent care of air cadetgliding in recent years.

My long-term aim is to mature RAF Syerston into the aircadet centre for aviation excellence, whilst maintainingthe high safety standards of air cadet gliding.”

Group Captain Middleton is the first RAF full-time reserveservice officer to be authorised as a ‘delivery duty holder’;the term attached to responsibility for flying. He is nostranger to the Air Cadet Organisation, having recentlycommanded the north region of the Air Training Corps.

The establishment of a dedicated FTS for gliding providesa new focus on the safe and effective delivery of cadetgliding.

Group Captain John Cunningham of No 3 Flying Training Schoolhands over responsibility for RAF air cadet gliding to Group CaptainJohn Middleton [Picture: Paul Saxby, SERCO Media Services]

Air cadets' national gliding school opens

Tonight six cadets from the squadron received theirBronze Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Each cadet has

worked extremely hard during 2013 in order to complete thefour sections of the award (Volunteering, Skills, Physical andExpedition). All six cadets are now working towards theirSilver Award.

An outstanding achievement guys, and one you can beproud of! Well done!

DOE Bronze Awards at 859 (Dalgety Bay) Squadron

1756 (Broxburn) squadron is now on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/1756ATC

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Sergeant (ATC) Simon Gilbert was recently nominated for a South AyrshireYouth Forum Award for his involvement with 137 (Ayr & Prestwick) Squadron,

Air Training Corps. South Ayrshire Youth Forum (SAYF) Awards aim to recognisethe efforts and achievements of young people living within South Ayrshire. Witha number of different categories, Sgt Gilbert was nominated under the Citizenshipcategory which is designed for young people who show exemplary unselfishnessin their role and who have overcome challenges in their own life whilst still makinga difference in their community. Any young person in South Ayrshire can benominated for the awards and a panel selected Sgt Gilbert as a finalist out ofalmost 200 nominations.

At the award ceremony, held at Troon Concert Hall on the 6th December 2013,Sgt Gilbert was announced as the winner, being presented the award by arepresentative of the South Ayrshire Community Safety Partnership. Cdt FS CaraSwankie and Cdt FS MacDuff nominated Sgt Gilbert because despite workingpart time and studying for an Honours Degree he always makes time to come tothe Squadron with a smile on his face ready to get stuck in. He unconditionallyputs the young people in the Squadron before himself and is never too busy togive advice or listen to a problem.

Upon receiving the award Sgt Gilbert said "It's a real honour to have the work I do recognised, not only by the Cadets,but also by the panel of representatives from the voluntary sector and from South Ayrshire Council. To be selected asthe winner of this award over the other finalists really makes you realise the value of the work all Adult Volunteers in theCadet Forces do. I never volunteered for the recognition or praise but it's very touching to receive it."

The Chair of the Judging Panel commented "The panel was extremely impressed by the nominations and delighted tosee so many examples of enthusiastic, committed and talented young people. The finalists are all outstanding youngpeople and we are delighted to recognise their contribution and achievements. Well done and congratulations."

More information about the awards and the South Ayrshire Youth Forum awards can be found at:http://www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/youthforum/awards.aspx

Congratulations to Seonaid Watson, who after completingher Initial Officers Training has been promoted to the

rank of Pilot Officer. Well done again and thank you for yourhard work!

Congratulations toPilot OfficerDrummond whorecently passed hiscommissioning boardat RAF Cranwell andhas now beenappointed as anofficer in the RAFVR(T). Well done.

New Officers Appointed

ALL QUIET BEFORE THE STORM Operating from Nellis Air Force Base, the Typhoons of 1(Fighter) and 6Squadrons from RAF Leuchars prepare for ‘combat’ in the skies above

Nevada.

Exercise Red Flag is the world's leading air-to-air combat training exercise. Run by the US Air Force, it includesparticipants from around the world and affords pilots the experience of multiple, intensive air combat sorties workingalongside UK allies. This time, the Royal Air Force will train with US and Australian aircraft and personnel.

The RAF team also features Tornado GR4s from IX(B) Squadron, RAF Marham and an E-3D Sentry from 8Squadron, RAF Waddington.

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Air Cadets from 1138 (Ardrossan) and 1195 (Irvine)squadrons, completed a three-day teamwork and

communication camp at the purpose built TamarManoukian Outdoor Centre at Dumfries House, EastAyrshire this weekend.

25 personnel enjoyed a variety of activities includingorienteering, initiative exercises, and a confidence coursedeveloping qualities of leadership, communication andcritical thinking.

This camp, like most air cadet activities, is carried outalongside school and involves a very busy, variedprogramme with some well deserved downtime whichleaves the Cadets happy but very tired.

Dumfries House

Flying Officer Lee Coulter, Officer Commanding ArdrossanAir Cadets said, "Both groups of cadets gained a lot fromthe weekend. They were provided tasks that they physicallycould not solve alone and had to utilise other members inthe group to complete, in doing so they learned the value ofteamwork. Most of the Cadets hadn't met each other beforeFriday and by the end of the weekend they were working asone complete unit.

The 2014 series of Air Cadet Leadership Courses(ACLCs) are to be held at RAF College Cranwell as

follows. Course Number:

Course No 102 05 - 12 Jul 14

Course No 103 12 - 19 Jul 14

Course No 104 19 - 26 Jul 14

Course No 105 26 Jul - 02 Aug 14

ACLCs provide intensive leadership and team training tosenior cadets and JNCOs to prepare them for SNCO rank.Sqn Cdrs are to return completed forms to Wg HQs by 21Feb 14. So speak to your CO now if you want to apply.

AIR CADET LEADERSHIP 2014It may only be January but cadets from 2466 (Loanhead)

have started the year with a bang!

Tonight the majority of the Squadron went climbing at Rathothanks to the Deputy Wing Commander and RegionalResource Manager and 3 cadets went No.8 shooting thanksto OC 870 (Dreghorn) Sqn and the Wing Shooting Officer.

Cdt Tetteh-Lartey (pictured left) also gained his squadronmarksmanship badge-well done! Not bad for a nights work

Loanhead Start 2014 in Style

Fab interactive tool - go on, have a go! 3 scenarios(CPR, Choking & Recovery Position) You can even print

out a certificate on your performance

https://life-saver.org.uk/Lifesaver is a game in a film which gets you tomake the choices you’d have to make in real life

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RAFA Gives You Wings!

Two local Air Cadets from 2496 Cumbernauld Squadronhave been recognised by the local 1355 Cumbernauld

Branch of the Royal Air Force Association (RAFA) for theirfundraising work as part of the Battle of Britain Wings Appealto support this national charity and assist others in their hourof need.

Cadet Evan Robinson (14) received the Gill Clark shield forthe most amount of money raised and Cadet Lewis McDonald(15) received the runners up prize for the second highestamount raised. The cadets also received a further trophy inthe form of a cup and vouchers for a flying lesson atCumbernauld Airport.

Mr Bill Green, Chairman of 1355 Cumbernauld Branch said."I would like to thank all the cadets who voluntarily gave uptheir time to collect for those who require help after sufferinginjury or illness as a result of serving in the forces and to assistwith help for disabled members. The cadets are a credit to theorganisation". "The money the cadets have raised will be usedfor a number of projects to help make people's lives a bit morebearable".

Flight Lieutenant Stevie Cairns Officer Commanding 2496Cumbernauld Sqn said. "The cadets assist every year at thewings appeal and I am proud of each and every one of themas they selflessly give up their time to help a number oforganisations in the area to raise funds and provide support."

Evan and Lewis both said. "We are happy to help but havebeen rewarded with a flying lesson each for our efforts. Wecan't believe it that helping others can bring other things withit. We can't wait to fly".

RAF LOSSIEMOUTH HONOURS & AWARDSRecently personnel from RAF Lossiemouth were

honoured during a medals ceremony presented byAir Officer Commanding 22 Group, Air Vice MarshalMike Lloyd.

A Station Commander’s Cadet Award, 9 OperationalService Medals with Clasps for Afghanistan, 3 LongService and Good Conduct Medals, 2 Long Service andGood Conduct Clasps, 4 Imperial Service Medals anda Royal Warrant were awarded.

Cadet Flight Sergeant Hannah Murray, 1068 (Nairn)Squadron, was presented with the Station Commander’sCadet Award for her services to the Air Training Corps.Hannah received the award for her diligence, highstandard of personal discipline and commitment to herSquadron. Hannah is a great example to her peers, shecoaches football in her spare time and holds a BTEClevel 2 intermediate Certificate in Aviation Studies.Hannah has completed her Bronze Duke of EdinburghAward and is working towards her Silver. Hannah isseeking a flying scholarship through the RAFAssociation and hopes to join the RAF as a Pilot afterfinishing her studies.

The Royal Warrant was awarded to Warrant OfficerKevin Doyle. The presentation of a Royal Warrantsignifies that the recipient has extensive general Serviceknowledge and expertise and also possessesoutstanding ability and personal qualities. Those holdingthe Royal Warrant are able to accept considerableresponsibility and exercise authority, therebydemonstrating fundamental qualities of leadership andmanagement, which are consistent with a sense of pridein the Service and an active interest in its good name.

Reaching the rank of Warrant Officer in the Servicerepresents a significant achievement, requiring theinvestment of considerable effort and expertise over thecourse of many years service. Reaching this pinnacle isformalised by the presentation of a Royal Warrant onbehalf of Her Majesty The Queen.

Well done Plt Off Tayler! Cadet Force Adult Staff shouldhave a look at the CVQO website -

http://www.cvqo.org/adult-awards/

In July 2013 Officer Cadet Christopher Tayler attended RAFCranwell for his Officer's Initial Course, during that week MrTayler started his Institute of Leadership and ManagementLevel 3 Qualification.

I am delighted to announce that Pilot Officer ChristopherTayler (as he is now know) has successfully completed andpassed his Institute of Leadership and Management Level 3.

Pilot Officer Tayler is now looking at progress to the nextstage by starting the Level 4 award.

Congratulations, Well Done and keep up the good work.

Flt Lt Natalie J Scott

OC 2521 (Oban High School) Sqn

ILM Level 3 Awarded

662 (Arbroath) VGS has a FaceBook Site too!

https://www.facebook.com/662VGS

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Fantastic news! 1145 (Dunfermline) Squadron AirTraining Corps have raised a superb £1,758 for Erskine

through bag packing, collections and the Great Scottish Run.

Well done on a very successful year raising money forEx-Service Men and Women! All the best for 2014!

1145 SUPPORT ERSKINE VETERANSIn January Cadet Flight Sergeant Iona Craig of

865(Portlethen) Squadron completed the ATC trainingsyllabus by successfully delivering a lesson to cadets infront of an Assessor, thus gaining her Instructor Cadetstatus.

FS craig will now continue in her new status to assist theSqn staff in delivery of the ATC syllabus to the youngercadets on the Squadron

FS Craig is pictured receiving her Instructor Cadet Lanyardfrom Sqn Ldr Derek Nutten, Wing Staff Officer

IONA GAINS INSTRUCTOR STATUS

The Regional CommandantGp Capt Jim Leggat

presented Flt Lt Liz Busby withher cadet forces medal on 12 Janduring a visit to North EastScotland Wing.

Well done Liz on this award.

LONG SERVICE RECOGNISED

Well done to the SE Scot personnel who all passedtheir AFA course on the 26th January. Photo shows

the course participants along with Sqn Ldr Hilda McAdamthe SE Scot First Aid Training Officer.

SE SCOT WING ADULT FIRST AID SUCCESS

Know a truly inspiring young person? Sunday Mail YoungScot Awards is on the hunt for Scotland's young heroes.http://bit.ly/1i1m4Fb

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Two squadrons from West Scotland Wing attended the Cadet Inter-Service Skill at Arms Meeting, here is how eachof them got on...

2414 (East Kilbride)

Two teams of four Air cadets from 2414 (East Kilbride) Air Training Corps, recently travelled to take part in the CadetInter-Service Skill at Arms Meeting, held at Pirbright Ranges, Surrey.

The annual competition involved 52 teams from the Air Cadets, Army Cadets and Combined Cadet Force (schools)from across the country. They took part in the competition which was made up of multiple events, including "fallingplate", "Earl of Roberts", "Montgomery of El Alamain" and the "Marling". Scores from each event made up the overallresults.

Although the Air Cadets won the competition last year, the Army Cadets managed to win the 2013 competition, by anarrow margin. However, 3 of the 8 cadets from the 2414 (East Kilbride) Squadron team finished within the topseventy. Sgt Kyle Wilson (18), from East Kilbride, successfully came in the top forty, finishing thirty-fourth, for the thirdyear running.

Flight Lieutenant Dougie Macmillan RAFVR (T), Officer commanding 2414 Squadron, said "The Cadets didoutstanding this year, considering it was a young team. Three cadets finishing in the top seventy from the two hundredand sixty assembled firers is an achievement".

Flight Lieutenant MacMillan and Flight Sergeant Kieran Donnelly, both from 2414 Squadron, finished joint fourth in theAdult shooting competition. Flight Sergeant Donnelly outperformed the Squadron Commander on the day, much to theamusement of the cadets!

An awards ceremony concluded the weekend's competition, with the top fifty cadets being awarded with a medal andbadge and trophies being awarded for the individual events with the main trophy being given to the Army Cadet Forcefor winning the most events.

470 (Falkirk)

The Squadron shooting team attended the recent UK CISSAM(Cadet Inter-Service Skill At Arms) Competition held at thePirbright ranges in Surrey.

The competition sees the best shooting teams from the Army,Air and Sea Cadets from throughout the UK compete over a twoday period. This was the first year that the current Squadronteam of Sgt Donald MacLeod, Corporal Matthew Bruce,Corporal Shaun McCabe, Corporal Declan Kerr and CadetShaun Braeken-Gray had qualified for this competition soexpectations were low due to the competitive nature ofcompetition and the high standards of the teams involved.

However, they did incredibly well securing 12th place out of 39 competing teams which is a fantastic achievement forthe entire team on a first attempt. The Squadron was also hugely successful in the overall individual event whereCorporal Matthew Bruce won 2nd place out of all the cadets participating nationwide. He secured himself a medal andalso his Cadet 50 badge which is a highly sought after commendation.

Photo - Left to Right - Cpl Matthew Bruce (medals), Sgt Donald MacLeod, Cpl Shaun McCabe, Cpl Declan Kerr andCdt Shaun Braeken-Gray.

He lived in Melrose and apparently went to Primary schoolin Galashiels - sadly not an Air Cadet!

On 22 Jan 1919 Captain Eric Melrose "Winkle" Brown, CBE,DSC, AFC, Hon FRAeS was born in Leith, near Edinburghin Scotland. He first flew when he was eight or ten when hewas taken up in a Gloster Gauntlet by his father, theyounger Brown sitting on his father's knee.

A former Royal Navy officer and test pilot,Captain Brown has flown more types of aircraftthan anyone else in history, piloting 487 differentaircraft types. He is also the Fleet Air Arm’s mostdecorated living pilot A full list of aircraft flownby Captain Brown can be found here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_aircraft_flown_by_Eric_%22Winkle%22_Brown

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2013 has been an incrediblyactive and proud year for the

members of Forfar Squadron.

We have achieved three differentsets of Gliding Wings, participatedin the Young Fire-Fighters AwardScheme, went shooting, helped outat the Leuchars Airshow and manymore fantastic activities!

We hope that 2014 will bring alonga new set of challenges andachievements!

With the Spring Training Program well under way, the"Build It" project are creating a bow wave in their

efforts to resurrect the Squadrons model boat. A concurrentproject for them is to get the old Squadron Generatorfunctioning once more.

We will endeavour to keep you posted on their progressalong with the other projects in the Squadron via ourFacebook page athttps://www.facebook.com/ForfarAirCadets

FORFARS SPRING PROJECTSUp and coming mandatory Basic Adult Staff Induction

Courses(BASIC) for all new CFAVs and Cadets aged17 (Prerequisite to be a Staff Cadet!).

08 Mar 14 1145 Sqn - Deadline 7 Feb 14

06 Apr 14 WAC

07 Jun 14 2311 Sqn

Speak to your Sqn/DF Staff if eligible and available

SE SCOT WING BASIC COURSES 2014

Winning Team 2180 Sqn

Egg Drop - Task was to make a container in order to dropan egg 20 ft on to the ground without breaking it.

Material to be used - up to 50 drinking straws, 2 balloons, a paper cup, 4 sheets of paper and sellotape.

EGG DROP CHALLENGE WINNERS

14 cadets from across the Region will attend theirInternational Air Cadet Exchange Interview this weekendwith the RC & ARC - Good luck to you all!

At the time of publication the results are not yet known.