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2175 (Rolls-Royce)
Squadron
Air Training Corps |
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2175 (Rolls-Royce)
Squadron
Air Training Corps |
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November / December 2006 Cyprus Flight By FS Hussain Kayani
I was lucky enough to be chosen to be part of supernumery crew onboard a Tristar to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. However, this involved me going on an eight hour train journey from Glasgow to Oxford and then taking a bus to RAF Brize Norton, where the flight would depart. Once I arrived at RAF Brize Norton, I was shown to a hotel called the Gateway and was given a room. After having dinner I made sure my uniform was in pristine condition for tomorrow, by bulling my shoes and pressing my trousers. The next morning I was awakened by a room call at five in the morning! After getting ready I went down and had breakfast and then went to the passenger terminal. Once I got there I was told to wait for two hours in the departure lounge. After the tedious two hours I was finally taken onboard the Tristar, and introduced to the Air Load Master (ALM). The ALM was very friendly and introduced me to the pilot and co-pilot, who then let me sit in the cockpit for the take-off. I was allowed to stay in the cockpit for as long as I wanted after that. It was AMAZING! This gave me the chance to take some fantastic aerial photographs. However, I was not allowed to take any photographs of the aircraft or myself standing next to it, understandably for security reasons. During the journey from RAF Brize Norton to RAF Akrotiri food was served - char grilled vegetables and cheese - yeah I know …. hmmmm!? Once I arrived at Cyprus Akrotiri the ALM asked me to accompany him to clarify how many people and how many bags were going to be loaded on. Once I stepped out onto the airfield it was scorching and with the sun blazing away it felt as though the tarmac was melting - a nice change from the torrential rainstorms in Scotland! After confirming the number of passengers and bags being loaded, I went back to the aircraft and watched the crew set up everything for the flight back. This involved things like cleaning the individual seats, taking out all the rubbish and preparing the meals for everyone. It was fascinating to watch the baggage being loaded on, as it was loaded into containers which could be totally removed and give a huge amount of room to carry any cargo. Once the crew members had loaded everyone and their baggage onto the aircraft we were ready to go! As I sat in the cockpit during take-off I got to take some great pictures of Akrotiri. Once I arrived back at RAF Brize Norton I was again taken to the Gateway hotel where after eating dinner I just lay on my bed and fell asleep because I was absolutely exhausted. The next morning I was awakened by the same morning call at seven in the morning and after getting ready and having breakfast I was taken by a coach to Oxford railway station. However, once I arrived at Oxford railway station I realised I still had about fours until my train was to depart, so I went and explored Oxford city centre. During my exploration of the town centre I saw that there was some sort of filming going on. So, I asked one of the camera men what was going on and I was surprised to learn that they were filming for Nicole Kidman’s new film called “The Golden Compass”. The camera man then asked me if I wanted to take part by being part of the background cast, and I gladly took part. This was a new and exciting experience which was GREAT FUN! Once the filming was done I went back to the train station for my eight hour journey back to Glasgow. Overall, the whole experience was by far the best activity I have ever taken part in with the Air Training Corps, and believe me I have taken part in a lot of activities, I would recommend it to everyone. At this point I would also like to thank the staff at Glasgow and West Scotland Wing for nominating me and giving me this opportunity. Also, if you see a wee guy wearing a RAF uniform in Nicole Kidman’s new film then you’ll know it was me!!! By Cdt Stephen Kelly
On the 24th of November the squadron turned up at the Watermill hotel in our smartest dress for the First Annual 2175 (Rolls-Royce) Squadron Dining-In Nght and MacPherson Awards. All the uniforms looked immaculate. Among ourselves there were also guests that the squadron had invited including ex-Cadet Warrant Officer Robert Hastie, ex-CO Flt Lt Graham Short, ex-CO Gregor Brad and Family, Mrs McConnell and our Guest of Honour, Mrs MacPherson. The first part of the night was the formal part and there were strict table manners. After about 20 minutes after I arrived, Mr vice (aka Mr Fox) invited all of the cadets and guests to sit sown so we could be served our meals. The first course was lentil soup, main course was turkey with all of the trimmings and for dessert there was strawberry gateau. After the meal everyone at the top table departed for a short break and Mr Vice (which was now Cdt Kyani QA) was now the head of the top table, called Pilot Officer Kayani to entertain us with his many jokes which were really funny. After Pilot Officer Kayani had finished, Mr Vice vacated his seat to let the host and his guests return to their places and it was then announced that the awards presentation would begin. The dinning in night was also used to dine out ex Cadet Warrant Officer Robert Hastie and CO Flt Lt Short who received gifts from the squadron and ex Sergeant McClellan who couldn’t be there but also received a leaving gift. The cadets that got awards were Cdt Hastie D for the highest marks in the staff exam, Corporal McGregor for highest marks in the senior exam, Cdt Kayani Z for highest marks in the leading exam and Cdt Hastie P for the highest marks in first class exam. Other awards were recruit of the year Cdt Kyani QA, me (Cdt Kelly) for junior cadet of the year, Cdt Hastie P for runner up Cadet of the year and Cadet of the Year was Cdt Kayani Z. The second part of the night began with a few party games which were quite challenging. After the games everybody bought themselves more drinks and had fun, I spent my time with other cadets making funny videos on our mobiles. It was about twelve o’clock when people started to leave. I left at quarter to one, by which time I was very tired. Overall I am sure everyone enjoyed it and I would recommend it to anyone who didn’t go to go next year. If I have missed out any awards I am sorry but you know you achieved it so well done to everyone. Wing Cross Country Championships 2006 By Cdt Mark Falconer Cross-country is a sport in which the cadets of 2175 (Rolls-Royce) Squadron take part in every year. The winners of the Wing competition are put through into the Regional run and possibly onto Corps. This year, six cadets turned up on the cold winter morning of November 26th, of which 5 were taking part in the run. The day began (for me anyway) with a couple of slices of toast and a strong coffee to wake me up a bit. We met at the cadet headquarters at about 0825hrs where we were taken by Minibus to Pollock Country Park. We got changed and completed a quick warm up and before we knew, the first race was about to begin. Three of the five cadets were in the first race and they were Cdt Kyani A, Cdt Githwae and Cdt O’Donnell. I was in the second race and Sgt Smith was in the third. Cdt Hastie P was also there, but was only spectating as he had an injured ankle. The run took place at Pollock Country Park following a very wet night. Parts of the course was filled with puddles and on a long stretch of wet grass, I nearly fell on a number of occasions. Unfortunately none of the cadets managed a podium finish, therefore nobody managed to get to Regional level, but after the race there was rolls and sausages, hotdogs and chips being sold so everybody tucked in. Once all the races were over the winners and runners up were announced and then we were all released to go home. Overall it was a good day out and although no one managed a medal on the day, I was just pleased to see the majority of the cadets from 2175 (Rolls-Royce) Squadron taking part and finishing in front of some of the rest of the Wing. Upcoming Activities 20th January Gliding Roll of Honour Cadet of the Year - Cdt Kayani Z Runner -Up Cadet of the Year - Cdt Hastie P Junior Cadet of the Year - Cdt Kelly Recruit of the Year - Cdt Kayani QA Attendance Trophy - Sgt Finnie & Cdt Hastie P Target Shooting Trophy - Sgt Smith Drill Efficiency - Cdt Kayani Z Paula Hastie Sports Trophy - FS Kayani H Staff Training Trophy - Cdt Hastie D Senior Training Trophy - Cdt McGregor Leading training Trophy - Cdt Kayani Z First Class Training Trophy - Cdt Hastie P
Congratulations to you all! |
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Jan / Feb
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