Issue 9
2452 (Shawlands) Squadron Newsletter, Issue 9
Message from Flight Lieutenant Craig Gilmour Officer Commanding
Recently a number of cadets have been calling of from activities at the last minute and putting that activity in jeopardy so is very important that diaries are checked before cadets put their names down. Please see my comments under Clay Pigeon Shooting.
I am pleased to report that the unit is growing and we now have 51 cadets in uniform but we can never stop recruiting as next year a fair number of the senior cadets will be leaving.
The movement offers a lot of courses and camps that cadets can go on so they should apply for everything they can do and thus get the most they can from the Corps. Ross McGrath has just been awarded a place on a Hang Gliding course in December and 26 cadets have attended the regional camp at Macrihanish or traditional camps on RAF Stations this year.
Craig R Gilmour
Subscriptions and advanced payment option
This year the Squadron will be tightening up on the payment of subscriptions. Should a cadet fall in arrears of 5 weeks or more (£7.50 in monetary terms) they will not be allowed to take part in any squadron activities i.e. weekend camps, shooting, flying & gliding until the debt is totally cleared, unless there are extenuating circumstances which have been previously highlighted.
Cadets are required to pay a weekly subscription of £1.50 per week, which is divided between Squadron, Corps, Regional and Wing funds. This money goes towards funding sports, adventure training camps and transport, to name but a few. In an attempt to reduce the level of debt some cadets do find themselves accruing, an advanced payment option has been devised to assist. To encourage advance payments, cadets can pay up to 16 weeks of their subscriptions at a time. Normally this would equate to £24 in total, but if the payment were to be received in full, then they would only need to pay £22.50 in total. This would mean they would pay for 15 weeks and receive one week free. Parents assisting cadets with the advance payment option may pay by cheque if they so wish. Cheques should be made out to "2452 Squadron Welfare Fund" Should however the person owe any subscriptions the debt will need to be cleared first, before credit can be given.
Macrihanish Camp
For the second year our Regional Headquarters ran 4 weeks of camps at the old RAF Base near Campbeltown, with 15 cadets from the Squadron attending. The activities they took part in included Field Craft, Media Information, Leadership, First Aid (Junior Lifesaver) Training, Duke of Edinburgh's expedition, Police Flight, Swimming, Sports and Flying in Tutor aircraft. The cadets had to pre select the modules they wished to take part in. However due to the limitations on the numbers who could do any one module not all got to carry out the module they wanted. In addition, a number of cadets qualified for the Basic & Intermediate Swimming Proficiency Certificate. The Squadron had cadets attending every week of this camp. Some of the cadets were lucky and also had flights in Army Lynx and Gazelle helicopters or Air Force Puma helicopters. The helicopters came from RAF Aldergrove NI which is only a short flying distance from this base
National Navigation Award
Zenya Zhernakov has received this award as a result of the training he received at Macrihanish Camp as part of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. He is the first person in the unit to receive this certificate
Promotions
These are always difficult decisions because we have an establishment for NCOs, and while a squadron can over carry to a degree there are limits. To be considered for promotion at any level a cadet must have achieved Senior Cadet level, be a regular attender at the squadron, be reliable, be enthusiastic and display a degree of "get up & go" as I call it, and pass an interview. For more senior promotions additional qualities are looked for such as leadership, use of initiative and maturity. Unfortunately, it is possible that some good cadets may never be promoted due to the Squadron having no vacancies.
Promotions so far this year include -
To Flt Sgt - Stuart Kerr
To Sgt - Stewart Hutchison and Richard Griffiths
To Cpl - Alistair Scott, Martin Jardine, Rebecca Argo and Ross Roberts
Aircraft Recognition
Last year, I tasked Cpl Ross McGrath to enter a team in this year's competition. He nearly succeeded as he and Harvey Thomson entered in the Individual competition. Ross was placed second in the Individual competition scoring 23, one point behind the winner. Next year, it is hoped that Ross will be able to find the missing link and we will be able to enter a full team of three in the competition and to have a Squadron entry in the Plastic Modelling Competition. Anyone interested in joining the team should speak to Ross directly.
Summer Camp
The following cadets from the Squadron attended the more traditional camps based at RAF Stations this summer:
British Forces Headquarters Reindalien Germany - Cadet Fraser Campbell
RAF Lossiemouth - Cadets Paviter Variach and Cateriona Wedderburn
RAF Leeming - Sgt Marc Argo, Cpl Omer Ahmed, Cpl Rebecca Argo, Cadets Harvey Thomson, and Samantha Woods
At these camps they experienced life on an RAF Station, visited various sections on the station, went swimming, shooting and took part in field craft exercises, some flew in Tutor aircraft. At Leeming Harvey Thomson also managed to get a flight in a Vigilant motor glider and he qualified for the Gliding Induction Certificate (GIC) Stage III.
My First Summer Camp by CDT Samantha Wood
RAF Leeming was a great camp to go to this year. We did lots of activities such as field craft, despite the rain during the week, and visited various sections on the base such as Air Traffic Control, 100 Sqn who fly Hawks, and 25 Sqn who fly Tornados, Fire Section, and Mountain Rescue among others.
I was one of the lucky ones to get a flight in a Tutor as I had not flown before and it was a great experience to have control of an aircraft. Also on the Thursday we visited the Fire Section and ended up soaked to the bone. Overall I think it was a great camp and if I had the chance I would go again as I had a lot of fun, made new friends and everyone who attended enjoyed it.
Clay Pigeon Shooting
This activity was nearly cancelled on the day because three cadets called off at the last minute or did not turn up. The rule is that a member of staff cannot carry a cadet in his car by himself however the other cadet was his son so he could still go. My Civilian Instructor David Kettyle and his son Alasdair had a great time and both were awarded certificates for getting 5 straight hits.
Wing, Regional and Corps Colour awards
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Ryan Smillie
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Athletics & Small Bore Shooting
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Wing & Corps Colours
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Johanna Greenwood
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Athletics
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Wing Colour
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Ross Roberts
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Full Bore Shooting
Swimming
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Corps & Wing Colours
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Marc Argo
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Full Bore Shooting
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Corps Colour
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Ross McGrath
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Small Bore Shooting
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Corps Colour
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Alexander Hunter
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Small Bore Shooting
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Corps Colour
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Omer Ahmed
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Small Bore & Clay Pigeon Shooting
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Corps & Wing Colours
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Stewart Hutchison
Samantha Wood
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Swimming
Netball
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Wing & Regional Colours
Wing Colour
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Ryan & Johanna in June were part of the Wing Team that won 10 out of 11 Regional Trophies; the best ever result the Wing has achieved in the Athletics Competition. Well done to both of them.
Llanbeder & Windermere
Cpl Mathew Abel & Sgt Susanne Mann attended these outdoor centres run by the ATC. At Windermere Susanne did abseiling, rock climbing, hill walking and canoeing
Llanbeder by Cpl Matthew Abel
This was a very busy week kayaking, climbing, hill walking and go karting. I thought the climbing was great and I was inspired by the instructors and pushed to my limits. I was very pleased with the way the week was run. It was great fun.
Carronvale Leadership for Life Course
Sgt Susanne Mann & Cadet Fraser Campbell attended this four day course in August and had a great time. It is not a physical leadership course but one that you have to use your mental powers on.
Fraser Campbell said it was very good and he was involved in various team building exercises and he learned a lot. Our two cadets were the only two from this Wing who applied to attend this course.
Duke of Edinburgh's Awards Scheme
Cdt Zhenya Zhernakov has completed the Bronze Award. So far this year seven of the squadron have gained their Bronze Award and two are nearly finished the Silver Award.
A weekend practice was held at Muirshiel Country Park in September with the cadets walking 12 miles over the two days and for some it was the first time they had carried a heavy pack and had to camp out overnight so the next day a few had legs that did not work well and sore shoulders. The cadets who attended were Douglas Cook, Scott Ruddy, Khalid Ali, Sultan Sohail, Johanna Greenwood and Rachael Lynagh-Dunbar
Due to difficulties in getting dates that are suitable to my two staff who are qualified to do hill walking the qualifying expedition for three of the cadets was done in September with 1138 (Ardrossan) Squadron. The three cadets concerned are Thomas Wright, Gubirsingh Bains and Daniel Davidov. This is the last section that they have to do to complete the Bronze Award.
To encourage cadets to start this award when they are 14, the cost of the Log Books has been reduced to £13. So buy your book now !!!
Clay Pigeon Competition
Cpl Omer Ahmed was selected to be in the Wing Team that attended the first Inter Cadet Services Clay Pigeon Competition this August and he was awarded his Wing Colour
Swimming
Only four cadets took part in the wing swimming competition and they all won medals. Sgt Stewart Hutchison Gold, Cdt Ross Roberts Silver, Cpl Ross McGrath Bronze in various events and with Cdt Daniel Davidov they won bronze medals in the Medley
Stewart and Ross were selected for the Wing Team. At the Regional Competition Stewart won 3 Gold Medals and Ross won 2 Gold and 1 Silver medal. Stewart was selected for the Regional Team and went to RAF Cosford. He swam well but in view of the standard of the competition did not win any medals
Gliding
On the Longest Day with our friends in 1371 Girvan Squadron we got an extra gliding slot at 661 VGS Kirknewton and the following cadets stayed overnight. The aim was to start gliding at the crack of dawn but the visibility, with rain, meant unfortunately no gliding. Our Cadets were Cpl Ross McGrath, Khalid Ali, Mehram Hashmi, Sultan Sohail, Douglas Cook and Tahir Shah.
In September we had a gliding slot at 661VGS and the following cadets flew and were awarded the Gliding Induction Certificate (GIC) Stage 1. The lucky cadets were Flt Sgt Stuart Kerr ( he had been 5 times before & never glided due to bad weather), Cdts Callum Sheddon ,Sultan Sohail, Khalid Ali, Douglas Cook, David Ireland and Rachel Lynagh-Dunbar. In addition Johanna Greenwood attended and was awarded her GIC2 certificate
Gliding Course
Cdt Ross Roberts who was attending 661VGS has completed his training and been awarded his Silver Wings after going solo.
Garelochhead Adventure Training Camp
We had our annual visit to Garelochhead with our friends from 1371 Girvan Squadron and for the first time 137 Ayr Squadron during October. The activities included PT, leadership exercises, field craft training and a night exercise where they put into practice what they learned. In addition a RN Sea King helicopter from HMS Gannet at Prestwick came in and flew all the cadets in sticks of 6, everyone got 10 minutes in the air. A lucky person was Sultan Sohail as he got two flights. The cadets who attended were CWO David McGrath, Flt Sgt Kelly McGee, Sgt Marc Argo. Cpls Richard Griffiths, Alistair Scott, Ross McGrath, Matthew Abel, Omer Ahmed, Rebecca Argo. Cdts Harley Cuthbert, Lynn Bentley, Gubirsingh Bains, Daniel David, Zhenya Zhernakov, Sultan Sohail and Ryan Smillie
My First Garelochhead Camp by Sultan Sohail
The activities were well thought out & planned by Adult Sgt Waterston. They included field craft training (how to build a basher, ways of picking good hiding places for them, how to apply camouflage cream, and field hand signals) which led into a night exercise which was great fun and we put all we learned into practice. In addition we did PT and some leadership exercises. We also played football but the ball was 6 feet in diameter that was great fun. The flying was fantastic. This was my first weekend away with the squadron and must go down as the camp of the year.
Parents Night & Annual Inspection
The following awards were made by Wing Commander Sneider Officer Commanding Glasgow Wing in September:-
Cadet of Year CWO David McGrath
New Entrant of the Year Cdts Khalid Ali & Sultan Sohail
Best NCO Sgt Hutchison
Recruiting Trophy Cdt Daniel Davidov
Sports Trophy Cdt Samantha Wood
Best New Start to Target Rifle Shooting Cdt Ryan Smillie
Academic Trophy Cdt Mathew Wright
Best Small Bore Shot Sgt Marc Argo
Best Full Bore Shot Sgt Marc Argo
Aircraft Recognition Cpl Ross McGrath
Parachuting Course
Only one course is held every year in August and Gubirsingh Bains applied for and was lucky enough to be selected to attend this course, but would you want to step out of a perfectible serviceable aircraft?
Parachuting by Gubirsingh Bains
The course was the experience of a lifetime because it gave me the opportunity that not many cadets get. I gained a lot of confidence as I overcame my fear of heights. The jump from a BN2 Islander aircraft was frightening but a thrilling experience and I had a great adrenaline rush. This is a course that I would recommend to the other cadets and one I would like to go on again if given the chance.
Military Skills Training Day
During June this one day event was held at Dechmont Ranges, Cambuslang. Fg Off Rosalie McCrossan was in charge assisted by CWO David McGrath and Flt Sgt Kelly McGee. The cadets who attended were Cpl Ross McGrath, Cadets Johanna Greenwood, Rachel Lynagh-Dunbar, Khalid Ali, Sultan Sohail, Tahir Shah, Harvey Thomson, Jordan Wright, Daniel Davidov and Gubirsingh Bains.
Military Skills Training Day by CWO McGrath
I helped to design and run this exercise putting the skills and knowledge I learned on the Junior Leaders course into practice. We showed the cadets how to build bashers, bivies, camouflage and concealment techniques, field craft signalling and patrolling among other things
International Air Cadet Exchange
CWO David McGrath went to Canada and Flt Sgt Kelly McGee to Belgium. David had flights in Canadian Armed Forces helicopters and C130 transports and met other IACE cadets from other countries. He had a great time. Read on to see what Kelly did in Belgium?
Belgium IACE visit by Flt Sgt Kelly McGee
The initial interview is at Wing HQ and if selected to go to the next stage, the next interview is at Regional Headquarters where you are up against the other cadets in the region for a limited number of places which have been allocated to S&NI. I was required to have a detailed knowledge of current affairs and the ATC and RAF structure, operations, aircraft and bases within Scotland and the rest of the World. The interviews were nerve-racking but worth it
I was flown to and from Belgium from RAF Northolt Middlesex in a Belgium Armed Forces (BAF) jet transport aircraft and was introduced to my fellow IACE cadets from France, Canada, USA, Germany, Switzerland and Holland
During the visit we went to three BAF bases where F16 fighters and Augusta A109 helicopters are based. Being able to see these aircraft close up & to be given tours round these bases was very interesting and allowed me to see the differences between the BAF and the RAF
On the social side, the IACE programme gave me an insight into other cultures and I learned a great deal from the trip. The other activities I took part in were kayaking down the river Lesse and city tours of Bruges and Brussels and a visit to the First World War Museum where I experienced what life was like in the trenches.
I would recommend everyone who is eligible to apply for an IACE place as I learned so much and made many friends from other countries. This undoubtedly is one of the best experiences I have had as a cadet.
Netball
Samantha Wood was picked for the Wing Netball Team and was awarded her colour for this activity
Cadet Training
The following cadets in June passed the Cadet Exams:-
First Class Andrew Kay, Ewan McLean, Khalid Ali, Tahir Shah, Scott Irving
Leading Cadet Sultan Sohail, Harley Cuthbert, Joanna Greenwood, Catriona Wedderburn Gurubirsingh Bains, Mehram Hashmi, Samantha Wood and Thomas Wright
Senior Cadet Alasdair Scott
Shooting
The under noted cadets have qualified for marksman badges
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Squadron Marksman
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Wing Marksman
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Regional Marksman
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Thomas Wright .22
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Mathew Wright .22
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David McGrath L98
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Azeem Khan .22
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Michaela Crichton .22
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Jaraad Ali L98
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Tahir Shah .22
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Zhenya Zhernakov .22
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Omer Ahmed L98
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Amna Ahmed .22
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Merham Hashami L98
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Khalid Ali .22
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Zhenya Zhernakov L98
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Thomas Wright .22
Harvey Thomson .22
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At the Regional Full Bore Shooting Competition last May we entered only one team instead of our normal two, as the competition being held on the last Bank holiday and exams were in progress. I am pleased however to report that we thrashed the opposition and the team won. The members were Sgt Mark Argo, Cpl Omer Ahmed, Cpl Ross McGrath and Cdt Ross Roberts. In the Individual Competition 1st was Ross Roberts, 2nd Marc Argo 3rd Omer Ahmed. Thanks are also due to the Butts markers Cadets Rebecca Argo, Sultan Sohail and Mehran Hashmi
This year at the Inter Cadet Target Full Bore Rifle Shooting Meeting at Bisley in July the unit did well with the following cadets achieving their Cadet 100 badges:-
Sgt Marc Argo
Cadet Ross Roberts
Cpl Stewart Hutchison
Cpl Omer Ahmed
Ross and Marc were also selected to shoot for the ATC in the Inter Service final shoot. Marc was second in the Boulter Cup which is for the highest placed Air Cadet at the meeting and was presented with a silver medal and the A team was placed second in the Gill Trophy.
The cadets who were in the A Team, which was coached by Flt Lt Peter Smith (Retired), were Sgt Marc Argo, Cdt Ross Roberts, Cpl Stewart Hutchison and Cpl Omer Ahmed. The B Team consisted of Cpl Alexander Hunter, Cpl Ross McGrath, Cdt Rebecca Argo and Sultan Sohail and they were coached by Instructor Cdt Sgt Jaraad Ali. The Butts Markers were Cadets Khalid Ali & Tahir Shah. Another member of the squadron shot at Bisley in this meeting; he was Cadet Douglas Cook who shot as part of 49F (Greenock) Sqns team
In September, 5 cadets with our friends from 396 (Paisley) Squadron went to RAF Leuchars Fife for L98 shooting. All the cadets qualified for the Regional Marksman Badge. The cadets who attended are detailed above.
Imperial Meeting
Sgt Marc Argo and Cpl Stewart Hutchison obtained sponsorship to shoot in this meeting, shooting at 300, 500, 600 and 1000 yards and they coached themselves. Stewart shot well and was placed on the prize lists in some of the competitions.
Athelings Selection Weekend
The two cadets mentioned above were called to a selection weekend in September to try out for a place in the British Cadet Rifle Shooting team that goes to Canada every year.
New Staff
Returning to the Squadron in which he started his adult career in the movement is the Wing Warrant Officer Vince Leonard and a new Civilian Instructor David Kettyle has joined the staff
Flying
On Friday morning the 24th August I managed to get an extra flying slot for the Squadron at 4Air Experience Flight at Glasgow Airport and four cadets were flown. Rachael Lynagh-Dunbar and Tahir Shah had their first flights in a Tutor and two old hands who had not flown for 18 months also got flights. They were Sgt Stuart Kerr and Cpl Matthew Abel. Rachel was horrified when she learned that her mum was taking her back to school for the afternoon.
Fund Raising for a Charity
At our Annual Inspection and Parents night the raffle raised £ 85 for the Church funds and our bag packing night for Cash for Kids raised £313
Fundraising for the Squadron
In October for our own funds the Squadron raised one Friday night £450. The target for the 07/08 session is to raise £1,500
Dates for your Dairies
Last Parade 2007 Monday 17th December
Bag Packing ASDA Toryglen Friday Evening 28th December
Restart in 2008 Monday 7th January
Bisley & Pre Bisley Camp 2008 5th -13th July