May / June 2002  

CONSERVATION PROJECT

By Cdt Chris McMillan

As part of our Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, service section, we are taking part in a conservation project held in Pollok Country Park. As part of this conservation we are clearing out a pond, the areas around the pond and the islands in the middle of it. Glasgow City Council are letting us help revamp the pond, they also run an award called the John Muir Award and we are also participating in this. 

The Conservation will last over three months. The squadron has already participated over one weekend the 1st and 2nd of June 2002.

On the first day of this weekend the cadets cleared all of the sticks and branches that were lying on the pond and all the rubbish that was floating on the surface. After this the cadets were allowed to have a bit of fun so they decided to have a game of survivor to see who could get to the island in the middle of the pond and back to shore again. Most of the cadets managed to do this with no hassle but a couple needed help or they just couldn’t do it. 

On the second day it wasn’t quite as much fun as the first day because none of the cadets could get into the pond, but some were excited because they got to use the cutters instead.  

The cadets cut away all the rhododendrons that were blocking the drainage to the pond. We thoroughly enjoyed the weekend and can’t wait until the next two weekends over the summer.

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Nijmegen Novice Marches

By Cadet McMillan (F)

On the 4th of May Cadets Little, Muir, Espie, Campbell and I went to Garelochhead for the weekend to take part

in the Nijmegen Novice March as part of the Scottish two-day marches, the qualifier for the Nijmegen March.

When we arrived there we went to our billets and got to know the people. That night we had free time while our

team leaders got briefed.

On the Saturday we got up at 4:30 am for breakfast at 5:00am. We started at 7:00amand soon found the hills.

After the first few miles I knew it was going to be a long, hard day. As we walked we sang songs so we didn't

think about the walking as much. Aswe came to what we thought was the end we climbed on to a mini bus who

drove us some of the way back and then we were told we had to walk the rest of the way to the camp!

Although we were all tired, all of our team made it back to Garelochhead with few injuries. 

That night after seeing to our injuries and blisters everyone went out and enjoyed themselves.

The next day everyone had to get up at 4:30am again for breakfast. Our team joined up with another and

started the march. That day we overtook two or three Nijmegen teams. Only one of our team members had to

pull out because of injuries but luckily it wasn't anyone from our squadron. That day was also long but it

eventually finished. When we arrived back in Garelochhead we went to the showers and then packed to go

 home. 

We all enjoyed our weekend and it has encouraged us to do the Nijmegen march, a 100 mile walk over four days,

when we are 16.

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JUBILEE BATON RELAY

By CWO Suzanne Callan

On the 8^th June 2002, I was selected as a Jubilee Runner for the Queen’s Jubilee Baton Relay. I assisted the baton in its incredible journey across the Commonwealth by carrying it through the town of Largs. The baton relay has been the traditional opener of the Commonwealth games, to be held in Manchester this year, since the 1970s. The Queen sent the baton from Buckingham palace to all the countries of the Commonwealth including Australia, Fuji and New Zealand before it returned to the UK. I was chosen for this duty as “a representative of my community as someone who embodies community values, spirit and national pride”. I couldn’t have put it better myself! 

My day started at St Columba’s Parish Church where I met up with the other runners, who ranged from a 10 year old boy to a 70 year old marathon runner! After a briefing on “the correct way to carry the baton”, we were transported to our start points and waited for the relay to reach us. As I waited I chatted to some local people who had come along to watch. And then it was my turn. 

The runner handed me the baton and I began my 440 yard epic journey! The baton itself was designed with sensors to detect the heart rate of the runner and a light which flashed in time to my heart beat. I was accompanied by two police runners, two shuttle buses, a press van and 14 police motorcycles! Of course, I didn’t enjoy being the centre of attention, but I played along, waving to the people who had come to line the route.

All too soon it came to an end as I saw the next runner standing in front of me. I wished him luck and off he went. 

SQUADRON GARELOCHHEAD

By Cdt Craig Jones

Twenty Cadets attended the squadron Garelochead on the 28^th-30^th of June. Although many cadets missed the camp because of holidays and annual camps, the weekend was a great success.

An advance party travelled through to check the accommodation and help with unloading our canteen and equipment when it arrived. When the main party arrived we all got our bags unpacked, and went through the fire brief and security regulations. Before the night exercise begun Cpl Shanks of 603 Edinburgh Sqn RAuxAF gave a crash course on how to apply camouflage cream. The night ex. was great, the general idea was that two teams (Red & Green Flight) had to set up a base and kidnap as many hostages as possible from the other team before time ran out. But there were vigilantes (NCO’s & Staff) all over the place that could catch anyone and then take them to their base. Each team started with a hostage each, Flt Lt Brad & Flg Off Anderson, so that the teams had a teammate to get back. During the exercise only Green flight managed to find the opposing base, but were foiled on the way back to base by the vigilantes. By the end of the exercise Green flight had two hostages and Red flight had none, so Green Flight won (although the vigilantes had about 12 hostages!) So, after the exercise we all had a hot dog or sausage roll to heat us all up. After wash up, we all went to bed, about 0100.

The next morning we were all up at for PE at 0645! The midges were out in full force that morning, they were VERY hungry. After a run around the base there was an inter-flight Last Cadet Standing Push Up competition. Sgt. Bobby Hastie and I made it to the final, unfortunately for me, my hand slipped and Red Flight won. After a hot breakfast at Faslane we had two activities, L98 shooting and a camouflage and concealment exercise. The L98 shooting was great. Cpl Chris Reynolds and Cdt Joe Muir (Green Flight) both re-qualified their RAF Marksman’s. And Sgt Bobby Hastie and Cdt Niall Morrison both re-qualified, also Cdt Kirsty Mack gained her ATC Marksman. So Red Flight won this activity as well. The camouflage and concealment exercise was focusing on staying silent and how to move. So the idea was, CWO Suzanne Callan would sit at the top of a hill with her back turned to the bottom. While the teams got kited up and crawled through the terrain to try and get close enough to tap her on the shoulder. But, if you made a sound she would turn round and catch you. Most people got within five metres before getting caught. But only Cdt David Rybacki of Green Flight managed to tap the CWO on the shoulder and so green flight won this activity.

Later on we had some free time to relax, and get our greens and boots clean. After the free time, we had a radio exercise. The plot was that terrorists were going to attack, and the names of the villains were scattered around the base so we had to run about the base to find the names and radio them back to base before the terrorists struck. Green flight came out on top again at this activity. Later on that night we had another night exercise. The basic story to this is that there are five guards scattered around the area, and the teams have to find the guards and ‘gently interrogate’ them until they give us their number. After a team gained five numbers they could enter the password and win the night exercise.  Green Flight was first to find a guard, Cpl Chris Reynolds, who would endure anything for his team. At one point we were pulling the hairs out of his legs and feeding him slugs! Eventually we got the number. We later found Flg Off Anderson, who also received the slug treatment. All the guards weren’t found, but Red Flight found four guards and Green Flight found three. So Red Flight won the exercise. After the night exercise we had another hot supper of pies, hot dogs and sausage rolls, and then off to bed. We were all very tired after the long day and almost everyone fell asleep as soon as their head hit the pillow.

The next morning we were up early again for PE. And the midges were even worse than the day before! I don’t know about anyone else, but I was covered in bites. We had another competition, this time it was a wheelbarrow race. Both teams were as bad as each other were, I think we were all still asleep. Although, Red Flight proved better than Green Flight this time. For breakfast it was a continental breakfast, which wasn’t the best thing first thing in the morning! But it made lunch taste much better. Before lunch we were in the sports hall for 2 hours. After a warm up, we had a frantic sprint race, which seen Sgt Hastie and I came head to head again, as we finished the race, this time Green Flight won. Then we began a 7-a-side football game. This had been eagerly awaited as both flights created a fierce build-up to the game. Red flight scored first over a very controversial decision by the referee. But Green Flight battled on and took the lead just before half time through two goals from Cdt Chris Mackin and Cpl Chris Reynolds. But in the second half a goal from Cdt Orr evened the score. The game was getting intense with tackles coming in at all angles and shots being taken from anywhere, it was just a rush to get the ball in the back of that net. Then you just couldn’t imagine what was going to happen next, Flt Lt. Brad gained control in the Greens’ corner and had a shot, it slipped by the startled keeper and the ball hit the back of the net. With Green Flight trailing by one goal, the pressure was really on. With five minutes to go I found a loose ball in front of the goal and blasted it into the top corner. The game ended 3-3, but as always, people had they’re complaints. After the football we had small games of badminton, but no one really kept the score. After a Shower and change back into uniform we headed for lunch which I mentioned earlier tasted a lot better as a lot of people weren’t keen on the breakfast. 

Luckily for us the rain only started when we where packing our bags. It was Sgt Bobby Hastie’s 18^th Birthday on the Saturday, I think he was brave going to camp especially on his 18^th. On the Sunday before we left the Staff had bought him a cake, so all had a piece before we left. The camp was a great success thanks to all the effort put in by all the Staff, NCO’s and cadets who attended. I think I speak for all the cadets when I say that I can’t wait for the next one.

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Following our success in the drill competitions last year, where we won both wing and regional events to be crowned the drill champions of Scotland and Northern Ireland, it was necessary to defend our title with another entry this year.  

Weeks of preparation kept the fifteen cadets in good order for the competition, despite it being held in the middle of exam season, which did, understandably, limit the commitment of the cadets. However, this did not detract from the levels of enthusiasm and quality that most of the cadets showed.  

As the day arrived our uniforms had already been prepared, with all the cadets helping out as the competition drew near. I was especially nervous as not only was this the first time I had ever taken a squad for the drill competition, but I had the reputation that we had gained from last year to live up to also. This year the competition was judged by two NCOs from the recruiting service, to help silence those who claimed that the wing staff who regularly judge the drill were bias in some way. The routine of the competition was, however, the same as previous years.  

Upon arrival at Kilmarnock Squadron we were told the order of the teams, we were second to go, of the six team in the main competition. The inspection was first, and as I marched the team in, and put the in open order, then the nerves hit. As the judges paced by the team, the thought of someone fainting, or fidgeting filled my head and I began to worry but as the Judges asked me to carry on I just felt relieved to be going. Once we halted outside everyone gave a sigh of relief, and the team began to focus on the marching part. After lunch, and the first team we were all psyched up to give it our best shot, and as the judges called for the next team we began the routine.

Final result, in a competition where there is only a sixty point difference between first and sixth, we were fifth, with Paisley A team picking up the top honours, and Hamilton Squadron winning the tyro. 

Hopefully next year we can repeat previous glory by bringing the trophy back to 2175, but in the mean time, good luck to Paisley who now face the regional competition later this year.

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After the Wing athletics four members of the squadron were put forward to represent the wing at the regional athletics in Grangemouth, on Sunday the 2nd of June 2002.  

Cadet's Duncan, Vines (f), and Mc Millan (f) were all looking forward to the event, as was I, which would see the very best of the six wings in our region battle it out for a place in the regional team.  

As the day began, the rain poured down on the cadets warming up. This was continued on the first few events and, as the sprinting races began, it was clear that the weather would play a big part in the races to follow, with some slipping and loosing valuable grip while trying to out run the competition. The wing, however, persevered, and it wasn't long before the medals started to go to Glasgow and West of Scotland Wing. The rain continued in frequent showers and when the wind began to blow, it was decided that the final parade would be relocated inside.  

The Regional Commandant, Group Captain White-Boycott, firstly congratulated all the cadets for high standard of competition, and great amounts of effort, before announcing the winners of the trophies. There were trophies for best team score and best individual score for each of the five classes, also for the overall event. The parade was poised on his every word as the Group Captain read out the results in reverse order. Our Wing received a good number of the trophies, which included best overall wing at the event, which also pleased Wing Commander Campbell.  

The wing had a very successful day, but the squadron can also boast some achievements. All the cadets came back with at least one medal. Duncan received two gold medals, myself; two silvers, with Mc Millan (f) picking up two bronzes, and Vines (f) collecting a bronze also. On top of this both Duncan and Vines (f) were selected to represent regional at the Corps event, in RAF Cosford, on the 29^th of June, but neither could attend due to holidays. Unfortunate, but next year I'm sure the squadron will rectify this by doing even better. I just hope that I'll be there too.

On the 17^th and 18^th of June 2175 Rolls-Royce Squadron ran a potential JNCO Course. A course like this enables senior cadets to experience an insight into the role of a JNCO i, and what is expected from a 2175 NCO. I took part in this course and it was very interesting to find out this information because now I and six other cadets know what to aim for to become an NCO in 2175. On the course we also learned; what to do with cadets in the event of a fire, leadership styles. What’s more we learned about discipline, the reasons behind it and the basics of it, how to welcome probationers to the squadron, how to teach a class, how to conduct ourselves in an interview, how to write a letter to the commanding officer. As well as learning how to take physical education. We even had the chance of taking a drill squad. I learned quite a lot on this course and now I am aiming to become an NCO in 2175. Promotions to corporal will be on the in July and I am anxious to find out if I fit the part, I’ll just have to wait and see.

On the 19th of May 10 cadets went to Mosspark near Bellahouston to assist Strathclyde police with the traffic gates for the annual ladies 10K. A race that is ran every year by thousands of women and when I say thousands, I mean thousands, I was astonished I didn’t think that many women participated in a marathon at the one time. It was very good the police got to know us and called us by our first name that was good to get a friend that is part of the law for future reference. We swapped about every so often and there were two traffic gates at different points in the race there was probably more but we only did two because we were only a helping hand. We were there for the whole day, on the way home I was waving to all the women, and applauding, and one woman blew me kisses I was dead chuffed. All in all the day was a success and the police thanked us. The ladies 10K is something we do every year to help the police and I will be looking forward to see that lady next year.

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SQUADRON T-SHIRTS

By CWO Suzanne Callan

June saw the return of squadron t-shirts to the cadets at a price of £6 each. The t-shirts are bottle green in colour with the ATC logo and squadron name embroidered onto the left. These t-shirts will ensure that at wing events the squadron will be identified by our team colours and will provide a uniform for PE and leadership tasks. If you haven’t bought one yet see CWO Callan at the squadron. They come in XS, S, M, L, XL and XXL sizes.

WING GARELOCHHEAD

By Cadet Craig Jones 

Ten cadets attended the wing’s annual camp at Garelochhead on 14^th-16 of June. With over 150 cadets attending the camp, it was a busy weekend. After being greeted by the thousands of midges on the Friday night, we had an initial brief on fire and security regulations. And were then sorted into flights that we would remain in for the rest of the weekend. After supper we had some free time to meet old pals and make new ones, but by the end of the night everyone had been eaten alive by the midges. We had been told that the rain would take the midges away, I think this was the first time ever people hoped for rain at Garelochead!  

During the night many of the boys didn’t get much sleep if any. So as a punishment to staying up all night the boys were out at 0530 in greens doing PE. The midges were even worse than the night before! Breakfast was at 0700 and it wasn’t that bad. It had started raining by this time, but the midges didn’t go away, so we had rain and midges! Throughout the day there were many activities under way each flight having a different program from the other. Some of the activities included shooting, archery, leadership exercises, sports, rope work, yoga, and survival to name a few. Also the majority of the cadets had a short flight in the Sea King, and many others had a flight in a Gazelle, Cdt Lindsay McMillan was part of the lucky detail that had an hour’s flight in the Gazelle. Also Cdt Richard Duncan and Cdt Laura Graham qualified for their ATC Marksman. After dinner we had some free time and then the disco started. The disco was quite good, there were UVA and strobe lighting and the music wasn’t bad either. The boys were all very tired after this and all of them were pretty much asleep when a bell started ringing, thinking that it was an alarm clock going off, no-one took any notice, until an officer came bursting through the door screaming “GET UP NOW! THAT’S THE FIRE ALARM! GET OUTSIDE NOW!” So we all ran outside and onto the road, most of us shorts or even our underwear! The officers found it hilarious and started to take pictures. We, standing there in our bare feet didn’t find it so funny! Later on we found it was a technical problem in the system. 

The next morning everyone was still tired, but managed somehow to get out of bed. After breakfast the activities began again, some of the extra activities today were tug-o-war and camouflage and concealment. The rain was still coming down but only in light showers. After the morning activities we all had a packed lunch and then the clean up duties began, Ironically the sun came out towards the end of the day.  

Overall the camp was great, the activities were good, but for me the highlight had to be the flight in the Sea King. I’m looking forward to next year’s camp.

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BRONZE & SILVER DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD EXPEDITIONS

                                                                                                    By Cpl Christopher Reynolds