January / February 2006

New Commanding Officer

Fg Off David McVean has been appointed as the new Commanding Officer of No. 2175 (Rolls-Royce) Squadron. On the 9^th January our Commanding Officer (CO) for the last 3 years, Flt Lt Graham Short, became our Wing MIRO (Media Information and Recruitment Officer). Unfortunately this meant he had to stand down from his position at the squadron. A month later our new Commanding Officer, Fg Off David (Davie) McVean was appointed from Lanark squadron.

Over the past 3 years Flt Lt Short introduced our now annual skiing trip to Aviemore, lead us to 2^nd Place in the Wing Drill Comp and presided over a record 3 consecutive wins of the Regional Public Relations Trophy.

Fg Off McVean is an ex-Cadet Warrant Officer from Lanark and at 29 is the youngest CO we have had in many years. He has already begun work here at Rolls-Royce by revamping our Civilian Committee, organising a Naval Vessel trip and re-organising the Office!

“My vision for the squadron is to get us into permanent premises, recruit more cadets and organise more weekend activities.”

The squadron can now look forward to many successful years under his command.

Civilian Committee

Friday the 24^th of February saw the first meeting of our Civilian Committee here at our temporary headquarters. Ian McDonald from Rolls-Royce will continue as Chairman and he will now be joined by Mr Joe Kilmartin, an ex-Civilian Instructor of the squadron as Treasurer with our new COs Mum serving as Secretary.

The Committees job is to assist the CO in running the squadron with fundraising etc and will meet once a month.

Fundraising is a particularly important job as it finances the day-to-day running of the squadron, new equipment and supports many of our activities.

Members of the committee experience the satisfaction and enjoyment of helping out the squadron, whatever their skills. We also provide free tea and cakes!

We are hoping to recruit some parents of current cadets and any old friends of the squadron to join the committee. If you are interested in helping us to run the squadron, in any way you can, please get in touch, we’d love to hear from you.

Yet More Hasties and Kayanis

January saw our numbers at the squadron increase by 2 Kayanis and 1 new Hastie. This brings the Hasties to a total of 1 staff member and 3 cadets, with the Kayanis also having 1 staff member and 3 cadets.

On the Hastie side, we have been joined by Cdt Peter Hastie, the youngest of the clan, who has joined because “Well first of all, I’m a Hastie, it’s what we do. Also, I had achieved everything I wanted to do in the Scouts and was looking for a fresh challenge.”

On the Kayanis side, Mr Naveed Kayani has joined as a Civilian Instructor to become our new Training Officer. He is joined by his son Cdt Abass Kayani who has joined because “It sounded fun and I knew my brothers would be here to look after me”

However with the Hasties now run out of potential new recruits and CWO Bobby Hastie leaving us in the summer we could be seeing the emergence of the Kayanis as the largest family at the squadron, watch this space!

Temporary Premises Update

The squadron has been parading at Whitehaugh Barracks since September last year. As you can see we have made great efforts to make the place feel at home by giving it the Rolls-Royce touch. The main building has been fully decorated with all our shields, paintings and photographs on the walls. We were also lucky to have been given some artefacts from the 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron Museum. Our main hall is now decked out with an ejection seat and a fully dressed mannequin complete with flight helmet and flying suit! We have adopted him as our new mascot “Douglas” after the Duke of Hamilton, due to the fact he carries his name on the suit. The Duke of Hamilton was a pilot with the 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force and was the first to fly over Mount Everest.

The office is now fully kitted to allow all the staff to work as efficiently as possible.

Our temporary premises are now equipped to keep the squadron going until we are given our new premises, which we hope will be soon.

“Douglas” pictured below

New Civilian Instructor

The squadron is pleased to announce the return of a most loved cadet, ex-Sgt Chris Kilmartin. Mr Kilmartin will be joining us as a Civilian Instructor and he hopes to become one of our first Adult Sergeants here at the squadron.

Mr Kilmartin has been tasked with running the squadrons Duke of Edinburgh’s Award PE section and has already proved adept at running leadership exercises for us.

Revamped Flight Competition

By CWO Bobby Hastie

After last years move to our temporary premises, the inter-flight competition was suspended to allow us to concentrate on settling in. Now, after a 6-month absence, the inter-flight competition is back, and bigger than ever.

The squadrons’ two flights, Red and Green, have been battling it out since the start of January to become top flight. At the end of each month, the points are counted and the winning flight is awarded the trophy, attired with the winning flight colours and illuminated by a green or red spot light.

The competition is judged on 5 main categories; attendance, uniform, discipline, individual awards and special competitions. With Red Flight winning January’s contest by only 1 point and Green flight winning February’s competition, the inter-flight comp promises to be an exciting tournament in the months ahead.

Edinburgh’s Award PE section and has already proved adept at running leadership exercises for us.

Naval Vessel Visit

By Cdt Zain Kayani

On the 25^th of February 8 cadets were picked to go on a Naval boat trip on the “Omagh”.

Once there we met up with Johnston Squadron and went on board. Since the cabin room (where you drive) was small we all went in 4 at a time. Luckily I was in the first four to be chosen to go in. I got a long shot at driving the boat whilst looking out for other boats. I also saw a Hercules fly past me deploying parachutists in the hills. After my shot was over I left to allow the other cadets to get a shot.

Then we stopped for ½ an hour at Rothsay. I got a bite to eat and then went to the arcade and played some games.

Once back on the ship going back to Greenock I went on the front deck and got soaked by hundreds of waves!

Overall, I thought it was an amazing day and I would do it again. Also, I would recommend it to anyone.

Flying

By Cdt Jennifer Lynch

On the 18^th February, myself and 3 other cadets went flying at Glasgow Airport.

When we arrived at the airport we were given a brief and then had a long wait because the clouds were too low. We waited for about an hour, and then got our chance to fly. There was only one pilot available that day so we went up one at a time.

We all did some aerobatics and it was great fun!

Upcoming Activities

7^th March

Exams

12th March

Skiing Trip

1^st – 2^nd April

Canadian Two Star Course

5^th May

Next Civilian Committee Meeting

Roll of Honour

Selected for Interview for Flying Scholarship

Cpl Andrew McLellan

Selected for Gliding Scholarship

Cpl Neil Finnie

Cpl Andrew McLellan

Selected for Cyprus Camp 2006

Cdt Grant McGregor

Selected for Rhindalen Camp, Germany 2006

Sgt Hussain Kayani

Cadet of the Month – January

Cdt Stephen Kelly

Cadet of the Month – February

Cdt Peter Hastie

Newsletter

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Mar / Apr

May / June

July / Aug

Sep / Oct

Nov / Dec