New marquees make their mark

The ACO’s new promotional marquees have arrived and have started “earning their keep”. 795 (Harpenden) Sqn was the first to use Herts & Bucks Wing’s marquee at the Harpenden Carnival on 20 May 07. The marquee certainly proved its point by being very noticeable among the stalls of other organisations. Sqn CO, Flt Lt Tim Hatton, said that the marquee was a great method of advertising the Corps and can easily be booked via Wing HQ”.

795 Sqn’s Cdt Crispin Taylor-Gates, Cdt Lewis Farrimond, Cdt Josh Potter in front of the marquee.

Cdt Josh Potter practices his “sales pitch” on Mrs Linda Gates from Harpenden Sqn’s civilian committee.

IMMEDIATE CHANGE TO CADET RETENTION RULES AT IMMEDIATE CHANGE TO CADET RETENTION RULES AT AGE 18 YEARS

With immediate effect the Corps policy ruling that cadets must leave at the age of 18 years if they are not of at least Cadet Sgt rank is cancelled.

Cadet SNCOs aged 18 years and over are still to be referred to as 'Instructor' eg 'Instructor Cdt FS'

Instructor cadets are to complete the BASIC training as per the existing arrangements.

The upper age limit remains at 20 years of age.

Anyone wanting to extend a Cdt over 18 who has not achieved Cdt Sgt should request permission of the Wg Cdr via WHQ outlining the added value that the candidate will bring to the Corps and recommending the extension.

The Herts and Bucks Wing Marching Team has completed its final UK march before heading off to Europe to take part in numerous marches in Holland, Belgium, Germany and the Czech Republic. The Marching Team is led by Flt Lt Jeff Fusedale (OC 1187 (Hemel Hempstead) Sqn) who has over 16 years marching experience. 101 cadets and staff from around Herts and Bucks Wing registered back in January to participate in at least one of the marches either in the UK or overseas. To qualify for the Overseas Marches the cadets and staff had to complete a very difficult training regime. The training started in February with a 1 day, 18 mile, training march which started and finished at Hemel Hempstead Sqn. Once the 1 day marches were complete, the cadets and staff then participated in one of the 2 day Chiltern Hills marches. The Chiltern Hills marches were based out of RAF Halton and covered 40 miles over the 2 days. The final hurdle was the Cosford RAFWARMA march which is another 2 day march of approximately 50 miles, held at DCAE Cosford. Along with 1,200 other contingents taking part, mainly military teams but with some civilian walking clubs, this march was not only the last UK march of the year for the Herts and Bucks Marching Team but was also the RAF qualifier for Nijmegen. With the first of the Overseas marches fast approaching, and with Herts and Bucks Wing planning to take part in Mesa, Nijmegen, Dodentocht®, Ijzer, Hürtgenwald and the Czech Republic Brno March, Flt Lt Jeff Fusedale said "The cadets and staff are to be congratulated on successfully completing these grueling events. We can now look forward to Herts and Bucks Wing having the same kind of success on the Overseas marches." At the end of the Cosford RAFWARMA march the team were presented with their well earned medals by Sqn Ldr Steve Atkinson, OC Herts and Bucks Marching Team, who commented "I would like to thank Flt Lt Fusedale for all of the hard work and dedication he has put into the Marching Team over the past few years. The team is going from strength to strength each year and this is largely due to his enthusiasm. Very well done to all of the team who should feel very proud of their achievements."

Falklands campaign remembered.

Thirty five cadets and Staff from 2366 (Bletchley Park) and 2532 (Milton Keynes) Squadrons paraded at the historic Bletchley Park Mansion site on 13 May. The Air Cadets joined Sea Cadets and Service veterans in a commemoration of the 25th anniversary of Operation Corporate, the campaign to regain the Falkland Islands. The parade went ahead despite constant rain.

The parade was led by the band of HM Royal Marines Portsmouth and was addressed by Rear Admiral M Wemyss RN CB. The service of dedication was led by Rev Chris Hicken Chaplain to Bletchley Park. The collect for the Royal Air Force was read by Cadet Ross Collbourne from 2366 Sqn.

Bletchley Park Sqn’s commanding Officer, Flt Lt Sean Kelly RAFVR(T), said “despite the terrible weather the cadets did very well. I was really proud of them.”

Herts & Bucks Cadets help the ATC win Hockey trophy

Four cadets from Herts & Bucks Wing today (12 May) made a significant contribution to the ATC winning its annual hockey fixture against Tamworth Hockey Club. The match was played at DCAE Cosford which the ATC won 5-2.

The Herts & Bucks cadets formed the largest contingent in the 15 member Squad.

The cadets were Cpl Kate Maybanks (2384 Sqn), Cdt Emma Cunningham-Sawyer (332 Sqn), Cdt Lauren Thomas (2409 Sqn) & Cdt Liz Tunley (2313 Sqn). As a result the cadets were awarded their coveted Corps Blues for having played representative sport for the ATC. Photo shows Herts & Bucks Wing cadets with the Hockey trophy.

Emma Cunningahm-Sawyer is also thought to have been the youngest cadet (at only 13) to have ever been selected to play representative sport for the ATC. The photo shows her fending off a player from Tamworth Hockey Club.

LYNEHAM AND SHAWBURY SUMMER CAMPS

Available Places in Brackets

RAF LYNEHAM - 21-28 Jul 07 - (11M & 5F)

RAF SHAWBURY - 18-25 Aug 07 - )12M & 6F)

First ACF13Cs each with a cheque for £57 payable to "Herts & Bucks Wg Welfare Fund" at Wing will secure the places.

WEEK 5 28 Jul - 4 Aug @ RAF Innsworth

There is a very urgent need for staff volunteers for this camp. This camp can take 38 cadets; to be viable, I need at least a further 3, preferably 4 or 5 more staff. If there are no further volunteers, this camp will have to be released or shared with another Wing.

Letchworth's cadets learn from the past

Air Cadets from 248 (Letchworth) Squadron had a trip down memory lane recently as they listened intently as three ex members of the Squadron give a talk on what it was like to be an Air Cadet during and after World War 2.

Gordon Collinson who served as the Commanding Officer of 248 (Letchworth)
Squadron was joined by Ex Warrant Officer Gordon Overton and Ex LAC Frank
Spary. All 3 gentlemen served on 248 (Letchworth) Squadron both as cadets
and staff between 1941 and 1959, with Gordon Collinson going on to join the
Civilian Committee until 1972.

Gordon Overton initiated contact with 248 Squadron in January when he
dropped into the Sqn in the hope of the cadets helping out with a fund
raising event later in the year. Frank Spary bought along with him some of
his old photographs and documents that he has had since 1942 to give the
cadets a comparison to what the ATC use today.

The cadets took a huge interest in the tales that were told and thoroughly
enjoyed the talk given by the 3 gentlemen, it was the perfect opportunity
for the cadets and in particular Sgt Wesley Tierney to get a real insight
into what is was like ‘back in the day’.

Sgt Tierney takes a very active interest and hopes one day to write a book
on the history of 248. He has been a member of the Squadron for nearly 3½
years, and has collected all sorts of memorabilia since starting his
project.

A current member of Sqn staff commented “The visit by the Ex-members of 248
was a real inspiration to the cadets and staff and has certainly given all
of us an appreciation of how the Corps has evolved over last 65 years, it is
so nice that they still have enough of an interest and have such good memories of the ATC that they want to come down and share them with us

Media and Comms training

Subject to confirmation from the hosting Stations, the following Media and Comms training courses are planned for 2007;

5 Aug; introductory course at RAF Henlow
20 & 21 Oct; trial of a "new style" Regional course at RAF Waddington; combining basic and development phases that will be relevant to those who have already completed the intro course and "newcomers".

As ever, if units wish assistance in publicising the successes of their cadets (& staff) then the Wing Media & Comms team is happy to do all it can to help. In the first instance, contact the Wing MCO, Philip Jones. Details are as per the Wing Directory.

A few snaps from Wing athletics

Hertfordshires aviation history - New Book

Title: War Torn Skies – Hertfordshire

Author: Julian Evan-Hart

Publisher: Red Kite

Price: £14.95

ISBN: 978-0-9554735-1-7

Format: 240 x 170mm

Extent: 112 pages

Illustrations: 120 b/w photos

Content; The second in a series of books detailing the air battles and wartime activity over Britain focuses on Hertfordshire. It is now 222 years since the Italian diplomat Vincenzo Lunardi landed his balloon there, accompanied by his dog, cat and a caged pigeon. One of the first fatal military aircraft crashes happened in the county in 1912, and the first German airship (a Schutte-Lanz SL-11) to fall in Britain during World War 1 came down at Cuffley in 1916. The famous DeHavilland family based their aircraft manufacturing business at Hatfield, near to which is Salisbury Hall where the prototype Mosquito was designed and built, during World War 2 several Luftwaffe bombers were shot down in the county and American bombers were stationed at its airfields; all have contributed to the county’s rich aviation heritage.

It is possible as in many counties to walk around unaware of many historical events and happenings in Hertfordshire as so few have attracted permanent memorials. The aim of this work is to make the reader more aware of the history on their door-step. By utilising some of the eye-witness accounts, no longer available first hand with the passing of many witnesses, and wartime archives it hopes to stimulate further personal research avenues to be undertaken in the future; this can be immensely satisfying, as one never quite knows where such an undertaking may lead to.

Adventure & Fieldcraft Courses - May 2007

Fieldcraft Course

There are still limited places available for the Initial Fieldcraft Training Course to be held at RAF Halton 12-13 May 2007.

This is an excellent opportunity for cadets to experience field living and learn skills such as basic navigation, cam and concealment and field first aid. If you require further details please either contact Flt Lt Cooper or Plt Off Pole.

Mountain Activity Training Course

There are still limited places available for the Mountain Activity Training Course to be held at Capel Curig 11-13 May 2007.

This is an excellent opportunity for cadets to experience and learn skills such as navigation and mountain biking. If you require further details please either contact Flt Lt Cooper or Flt Lt Betts.

Flt Lt R Betts richard.j.betts@lloyds.com

Flt Lt SR Cooper sr.cooper1@ntlworld.com

Plt Off L Pole lauragis@aol.com

Aviation Day - RAF Halton on 24th June, New Workshops

Are you attending - lots to see and do.

Aviation day meeting held on Tuesday 1st May 07, it was agreed that Music will not be scored in the overall competition.
The music competition will still be held at Aviation day as previously advised.

GS Courses

GS & flying takes priority over other air cadet activities.

If you are on a weekend GS Course at 613VGS at RAF Halton, they have started a new policy - "two strikes and out". This means that one absence without notification will result in a phone call to the trainee to request a reason why they were absent. A second absence without notification will result in another call and referral to the relevant WGLO.

If you are on a GS Course and you cannot make it, telephone the VGS and leave a message. This can be done at anytime during the week if you cannot make it due to to sickness, holidays, family commitments etc - it's just that it's courteous to let the VGS know wherever possible! preferable at least the week before.

613VGS 01296 623535 Ext 6409

Commissioning

Discussions took place at the Air cadet Management Board Meeting on the 23rd March 07 regarding Officers wearing white flashes as per IOT cadets to reflect that they had yet to pass their OIC. It was also suggested that in order to keep in line with IOT cadets, that they should not be awarded the rank of Pilot Officer and should instead be referred to as Officer Cadets. Rgnl Comdts reconfirmed their agreement to the intended policy.

Decision

a. Successful commissioning candidates are to be appointed to the rank of Officer Cadet.

b. White rank tabs are to be worn as per IOT cadets.

WING SKILL AT ARMS WEEKEND 2/07 – LONGMOOR CAMP 8-10 Jun 07

What, Where & When? This event is a Wing organised Shooting and Weapon training weekend, being held at Longmoor Training Camp. Staff and cadets will assemble on the evening of Friday 8 Jun 07, and disperse by 1630 on Sunday 10 Jun 07.

Cadets: The aim of the weekend is to provide an opportunity for Initial Weapon Training on the No.8, & L98 Rifles along with Live Firing on Indoor, Barrack and Gallery Ranges. The Gallery Range time will be focused on competition preparation, however all range practices will be eligible for Marksman awards.

Staff: The weekend provides an ideal opportunity for staff interested in RCO, Coaching or Weapon Instructor qualifications to gain the necessary experience needed to attend courses. It is also planned to run a course to qualify staff to conduct Weapon Handling Tests, and an L81 conversion course as part of the weekend.

Cost. The weekend will cost £10 per cadet to cover messing and administrative costs, and to contribute towards travel costs.

DEADLINE. Returns MUST have been received by the Wing Shooting Adjutant (Sgt T Fievez 248 Sqn) by Friday 25 May 07.

All attending cadets are to have correctly completed 3822s, and to be in possession of a completed ACF13 (with Asthma declaration if required). Instructor cadets must have completed their training before attending, and staff must have completed either BASIC or an ATF Course.

There will be Female cover throughout the weekend, so units can send female cadets even if the unit is not providing a female member of staff itself.

Staffing. Units wishing to send cadets without a member of staff may be able to do so, however they are to contact the Wing Shooting Officer at the earliest opportunity to discuss this. There is no maximum limit on staffing, and units are encouraged to recommend attendance both to staff with shooting qualifications, and to those interested in gaining such qualifications.

Changes of attendees that occur after the return has been submitted are to be notified to the Wing Shooting Officer ASAP.

Travel

It is planned to run centralised transport from RAF Halton to Longmoor on the Friday evening, returning on the Sunday.

To participate speak with your Sqn CO or email shooting@hbwing.org.uk

Lees Trophy - Report on Region Inspection

Friday 20^th April 2007 saw the inspection of 2409 Halton Squadron, Air Training Corps by Group Captain Jon FORD RAFR (Central & Eastern Regional Commandant) and Squadron Leader Brian SHORTER RAFR (Regional Administrative Officer).

Gp Capt Ford Inspecting the Cadets

2409 Squadron were the winners of the prestigious Vampire Trophy, which is awarded annually to the best Squadron in the Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire Wing of the Air Training Corps for the best overall performance and academic achievements gained during 2006. This was no mean feat as the Squadron beat 30 other units from within the wing in order to win the award. This is now the eighth year running that 2409 have won the Vampire Trophy and by doing so, the Wing has selected them once again as their representatives for the Sir Alan Lees Trophy, which is a Corps award for the best ATC Squadron nationally. They also gained third place for the Kelsey Shield, which is awarded purely for academic achievements as well as a number of other Wing awards and trophies.

By winning the representation this places 2409 as one of the best six Squadrons in the Central & Eastern Region and one of the best 36 Squadrons in the Air Training Corps nationally.

The purpose of the visit was to formally inspect the 48 cadets that were on parade, the Squadron building and to review all of the Squadron administration, training programmes and health and safety matters. A further 3 cadets were away from the Squadron as they were representing the Central and East Region at football and hockey.

The evening commenced with the surprise arrival of an Agusta A109E helicopter piloted by Flight Lieutenant Ralf RICHARDSON, RAF from 32 Squadron based at RAF Northolt. The aircraft had been granted special permission to land adjacent to the Squadron on the station sports pitches and had been tasked to fly a number of the cadets in order to give them due credit for their achievements. The flying had been arranged and was joined by Flight Lieutenant Andy LYNN, RAF, a Flight Operations Officer and ex Cadet Warrant Officer at 2409.

Squadron Leader Jerry DAVIES RAFVR(T) boarded the first flight as a means of leaving the unit of which he had commanded for the previous 10 years. As the cadets continued to enjoy their flights, Group Captain FORD was shown a number of the activities that the cadets regularly partake in, as part of their formal training programme. These included a first aid scenario, a Duke of Edinburgh Award display of camping and field cooking, leadership and command tasks, the Bulldog aircraft engineering project, flight simulator, shooting on the station DCCT range, radio communication tasks, air rifle shooting on the Squadron range and canoeing.

Upon his return to earth, Squadron Leader Davies continued with the administrative inspection together with Squadron Leader Shorter. This entailed an in depth review of the 26 page pre inspection report that had been previously compiled and submitted. The report contained a full list of Squadron data and cadet awards as well as funding statistics and accounts.

At the end of the inspection, which lasted for some 2 ½ hours, Group Captain FORD presented Squadron Leader Davies with some farewell presents from the cadets and a leaving card signed by all. The new Squadron Commander, Flight Lieutenant Stuart BUCKLAND RAFVR(T) was then presented with a framed Sir Alan Lees certificate of achievement. During his final address to the cadets, Group Captain FORD commended them on the achievements that they had gained over the previous 12 months, for the standard of their turnout and to the Squadron staff for their continued support for the Air Cadet Organization. The decision as to whether 2409 will progress onto the final award will be made in the next few days after the last of the six Squadrons has been inspected.

After the presentations, the outgoing Squadron Commander, Squadron Leader DAVIES said:

“ This has been another truly outstanding year for the cadets of 2409 Squadron. We have gone from success to success in a number of key areas. We owe a great deal of our success to the continued support provided by RAF Halton, the Station Commander, and a number of service personnel who regularly assist us with many of our training activities. It has been very difficult to leave the Squadron, as I have been associated with it since I was 13 years old. There no more rewarding role in the Corps than to Command your old Squadron. I have had many very memorable times with 2409 and have made a great number of friends. I thank them for their commitment and support and for their kind gifts. My new ink pen and organiser will come in very useful in my new role. The die-cast Eurofighter will sit proudly on my study desk as a permanent reminder. I now face many new challenges as part of the Wing Staff team and I relish the opportunity to reward, assist and develop others. I wish 2409 Squadron every success for the future and I look forward to seeing many of the cadets and staff at Wing events during the fullness of time”.