REGIONAL DRILL CHAMPIONS
 

By Cadet Michael Little

In our May edition of the newsletter, we reported that our Squadron, 2175 (Rolls-Royce), were the winners of the Glasgow and West of Scotland Wing Drill Competition.  This was the first time ever in the history of the competition that we have been crowned champions.  However, last month we went on to compete against the other Wings in the Scotland and Northern Ireland Region. And… WE WON!  Some had claimed that our triumph at the Wing Competition was a lucky break, however we proved our critics wrong by excelling at the Regional Competition. Our success brought the trophy back to it’s rightful home, Glasgow and West of Scotland.

Our team of 15 cadets trained extremely hard for the competition at Tulliallan, which took place on the 2nd of September.  The flight of cadets first of all had a detailed inspection carried out by the 3 judges, and then they had to conduct their drill display.

In second place was 1145 Dunfermline Squadron of Dundee Wing and in third place 423 Elgin Squadron (last years winners) of Highland Wing.

CWO Paula Hastie was the Commander of the Flight and said  “The cadets proved themselves to be the best on the day and it was a well deserved win”

Further Pictures of the Regional Drill Competition can be seen in the picture gallery.

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WING NETBALL
 

By CWO Suzanne Callan

2175 (Rolls-Royce) Squadron are Glasgow and West of Scotland Wing's Netball champions for the second year running. The 20th October saw a competitive and hard fought competition for 2001, however, 2175 (Rolls-Royce) secured victory with three consecutive wins of 7-0, 4-2 and 4-0.

The squadron netball team has had many changes this year with only three of last years winners present. This meant that we were introducing six new cadets to the joy of the netball competition.

The competition consisted of a group stage, consisting of two groups of three teams. Our first match was against Helensburgh squadron, which saw them thrashed 7-0. Our second match saw us pitched against Paisley squadron’s A-team. We quickly ran up a 3-0 score line, however, Paisley fought back in the second half to 3-2 before a fine goal saw the final score of 4-2.

Winning our group saw us through to the final, which was the second time we beat Paisley squadron, this time their B-team! It took us a little longer to score against them this time round, but once we had, the goals didn’t stop. The final score was a deserved 4-0.

The winning team members were each presented with a gold medal. Further Pictures of the Netball Competition can be seen in the picture gallery.

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MODEL MAKING TRIUMPH
 

By Cadet Neil Surgenor

In the last edition of the newsletter we reported that the Squadron had a great success at the Wing Model Making Competition.  The Squadron went on to Region with high hopes.  There was, unsurprisingly quite an air of anticipation on the bus heading for the competition; however with the extra work put in by the model making contestants and with the Regional Drill Competition on the same day, this soon turned into laughing and singing.

After putting the finishing touches to our models we had to leave them to be judged while we went on to march for the Drill Competition.

At the end of the day Group Captain Wight Boycott (Regional Commandant, Scotland and Northern Ireland) announced that Cadet Surgenor was the winner for the miscellaneous category, with his unusual model of a metal log.

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By Cdt Craig Jones

Yes, that’s right the best cadet in Scotland & N. Ireland is our very own CWO Paula Hastie!

Paula was presented with the Andrews Sash on the 2nd of September 2001 at the Regional Drill Competition. The Andrews Sash is awarded to the Best female cadet in the Scotland and Northern Ireland Region annually. It is awarded for your achievements in the Corps as well as your performance all round. Paula has been in the ATC for six years now and has attended annual camps, leadership courses and weekends away at Garelochhead Training Camp. Recently achieving her RAF Marksman she has also gained her Flying Scholarship, Staff Cadet classification and Bronze DofE Badge to name a few.  Also she has participated in numerous Wing, Regional and Corps events.  As one of a selected few she has been to Canada with the International Air Cadet Exchange. More recently she is the team Captain of the squadron netball team who have won the wing trophy for the last 2 years.

She was also the commander of the best Drill Team in the Region which was 2175 (Rolls-Royce) Squadron, us!

Paula would like to join the RAF as a pilot; already accepted for the University Air Squadron in Glasgow she looks set for her ambition. Which unfortunately means she will be leaving us soon.

It was in February that the Wing Commander phoned Paula personally and told her the good news about being the winner of the Andrew Sash.  “I was ecstatic, I couldn’t believe it.” exclaimed Paula. “ I just couldn’t believe it, being awarded for having 6 years of fun was unbelievable.”  Everyone is very proud of her and we all wish the very best of luck in the future for Paula.

Further pictures of CWO Hastie’s presentation are available in the picture gallery.

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By Cpl Reynolds

This Duke of Edinburgh’s Award hike was planned for the 8th and 9th of September and the participants were given a task that had to be completed in order to obtain the D of E award.  The week prior to the hike was set a side for training and preparation, this consisted of planning and making route cards, checking equipment to see if all participants have the necessary gear and make sure that the food being taken is suitable.

The purpose of this hike was to find, and study an old engine that was from a plane that crashed many years ago.

The only information that we were given was that the engine was located near a checkpoint somewhere during the second day of the hike.

This was completed successfully with everyone drawing a sketch and noting details and information.
Oh, we also discovered a very good chip shop in Weymss Bay.

A few hours before the start of the hike, around 9:00am, we left our homes and made our way towards the squadron.  I was up at around 7:00 just to make sure that I had everything packed and so I could have a good breakfast.  It was 30 Minutes later that I attempted to lift my rucksack and that was a struggle( but I managed).

All the cadets had arranged to meet down at the squadron for 9:30am, as usual someone was late( but I won’t mention names).

We all caught the 10:15 train to Port Glasgow and then we began.  Everyone was in a really happy mood until we hit the heather, which was around checkpoint 5 or 6. The reason why everyone hates heather so much is because on the last D of E hike the teams had to walk the full hike through this stuff, and by the end of the walk we were absolutely shattered. However, it wasn’t as bad as that this time we only had to walk about 3 miles in the stuff!!  This time I didn’t fall down every hole in the ground that I walked over (it was a miracle).  When we were nearing Garvock Farm I was so tired I could have went to sleep on the road leading to the farm but we got there in the end.  I was so glad I had made it.  Then came the good part, putting up our tents, I have never seen so many tents being used as kites before, Cdt Shield’s tent managed to blow 30 yards up the hill before blowing back down again.  A little later on that evening when it was starting to get dark we started building the fire, everyone was pilling on huge logs and before long we had a bonfire going!

To sum up the hike as a whole I would say that it was a very successful hike in the great outdoors.  The teams worked well together and always gave support to anyone who was struggling a bit. So hopefully now I will have my Bronze D of E and I can move on to the Silver.

Further Pictures of the DofE Hikes can be seen in the picture gallery.

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By Cadet Morrison

On the 26th September six cadets consisting, Bradley, Kilmartin, Morrison, McLellan, McMillan, and Campbell all got the opportunity to go gliding.  The last time these cadets were supposed to go gliding it was cancelled due to bad weather so it was great that they got to go this time.

All the cadets involved got three flights in the gliders and all thoroughly enjoyed the day When they were not in a glider they were helping out with the launching and the retrieval of the gliders.  The two adult members of the group also got one flight in the gliders.

The GIC has been designed to give cadets a taste for Air Cadet Gliding and consists of 3 different levels of instruction. We were shown various aspects of aerodynamics that we have been taught in the classroom before being taught the ”effects of controls” in the air. We then had the opportunity to take control and practice what we have learned. As this was our first visit we were taught the GIC 1 and hopefully, subsequent visits will see us progress to GIC 2 and 3.

The cadets involved all successfully obtained their GIC 1 certificates.

Further pictures of our visit to Kirknewton are available in the picture gallery.

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By CI Sim

September saw  two members of the squadron rewarded for their service with promotions within the squadron’s rank structure.

Corporal Robert Hastie was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and Cadet Christopher Reynolds was promoted to Corporal.  Both were absolutely delighted with their promotions and are fitting very well into their new role.

Cadets are able to work their way through 4 ranks through hard work and dedication;

However, there are further vacancies to fill, with interviews starting this month. Further promotions will be announced on Cadet of the year Night.

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WING FOOTBALL
 

By Cadet Michael Little

Two cadets in the Squadron were selected to represent the Wing at the Regional Football tournament.  Cdt Little and Cdt Jones were selected to play for the team after proving their skills to the captain of the trials at Adrossan.

Cdt Little and Cdt Jones loved playing for this junior football team. Cdt Jones has been selected to be a reserve to represent Scotland and Northern Ireland Region at the National Tournament.

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By Cpl Christopher Reynolds

On the 16th of October 2001, a group of cadets’ took part in a visit to the Rolls-Royce factory in the Hillington Industrial Estate.  The trip was organised by our squadron Training Officer C.I Sim.  The tour of the factory was started with a brief safety warning and then a very detailed talk on the history of Rolls-Royce factory in Hillington.  This presentation was given by Ian MacDonald who is the Quality Assurance Manager of Compressor Systems and who is also the Chairman of the Civilian Committee.

The cadets where given a guided tour of the factory, which gave a detailed incite into what goes on throughout the different parts of the factory. After lunch the cadets took part in a presentation where they were attempted to make an engine in 40 days rather than the 200 that it takes today.  Unfortunately the failed; it took them over a year to do it! The cadets were very grateful that Mr Sim and the Rolls-Royce Staff could spare the time to organise and make sure the trip went to plan.  Thank you to everyone who had a part to play in interesting the cadets, this is not an easy job to fulfil!

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RUGBY TRIALS

By Cadet Craig Jones

On the 14th of October the first Junior/Senior Wing Rugby Trial was held at Scotstoun Leisure Centre. Sgt ‘Bobby’ Hastie and Cdt Chris Bradley attended the trial coming out with bumps and bruises. “I woke up the next day sore all over!” exclaimed Chris “But, I like to try new things and will definitely be going to the next trial.” Sgt Hastie has already represented the wing in the senior team and was expecting a few knocks. “Rugby is fun,” claimed the sergeant “I can’t wait till the next trial, and I can’t wait to play against another wing.”

The day started off with a tough warm up and then going into skill development exercises. After lunch a full contact game was established to see how the players would react in a game situation.

The next trial is up and coming so watch this space.

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WING GARELOCHHEAD
 

By CWO Suzanne Callan

This year welcomes the 60th anniversary of the Air Training Corps and, in turn, Glasgow and West of Scotland Wing. To celebrate this milestone, a Wing adventure training weekend was organised with ten cadets from each squadron sent to participate with a quarter of the Wing in attendance at this camp from the 27th to the 28th September.

Planned activities included SAT range and live fire shooting, leadership exercises and camouflage and concealment exercises. However, bad weather did put a downer on the weekend resulting in some activities being cancelled. One major success was the qualification of four cadets from the squadron for their RAF Marksmanship badges:

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By Cadet Christopher Kilmartin

Wing teams from Scotland and Northern Ireland competed for the Douglas Bader Competition Trophy over the weekend 28th to the 30th of September. The Glasgow and West of Scotland team comprised five cadets who were captained by Cadet Warrant Officer Suzanne Callan from 2175 (Rolls-Royce) Squadron. The competition was designed to find the best wing in the region and was named after Douglas Bader, a pilot during WWII who continued to fight despite losing both of his legs.

The events consisted of assessed exercises on First Aid, PT, Shooting, Aircraft Recognition, Swimming, Gliding, Leadership Exercises and Team Exercises. Each cadet participates in seven events, choosing those in which they are strongest.

CWO Callan travelled to RAF Kinloss with the rest of the Wing team on the Friday afternoon, where they each had to spend time telling everyone all about themselves and what they have achieved in the ATC. Reluctantly, for the sake of team building, CWO Callan had to tell everyone about the Foster Trophy, parachuting course, overseas camps, adventure training camps, wing representation at sports, leadership courses, Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Initial Glider Training, Staff cadet Classification, Wing and Regional Drill Team, Best Cadet for four years running….etc…etc…WAKE UP!

The competition began the next day and was a hectic programme of events for the team. First up was shooting; CWO Callan graciously stepped aside for this event in order to give younger cadets a chance to shine. Aircraft Recognition was the next task and was completed by all team members. In this event 30 aircraft slides were shown and identified, CWO Callan did exceptionally well, scoring 20%! The First Aid section consisted of a written exam and then two practical exercises where CWO Callan achieved the highest score in the team!

The Fire Section was one of the highlights of the day. The team were timed as they put on protective gear, ran out and assembled a fully functional shower for removing hazardous chemicals. The activity was great fun but hard work and the team were exhausted. However, there was no time to rest, as the Gliding section was next. The weather cleared and CWO Callan received a 20-minute flight in a Vigilant Glider, achieving a GIC1! The section also included a written exam on the Vigilant Glider. Next was the PT event called the “Superstars Course”!  This comprised a series of exercises based on Basketball, badminton and shuttle runs. This was the team’s best effort as they won this event hands down. At last, there was a break for dinner, and then straight onto the Swimming test. This consisted of a relay race and then two team exercises in the water.

The next day was Leadership tests. Each member of the team was given an exercise to lead and complete on time.

The Regional Commandant, Group Captain
Wight-Boycott was present to award the winning team…Dundee, with the Douglas Bader Trophy. Our team came in a respectable third place having given it their all.

Overall, it was a very enjoyable weekend with teams from across the country coming together to compete in a competitive but friendly atmosphere. A true tribute to Douglas Bader.

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By CWO Suzanne Callan