PRESS RELEASE 

2175 (ROLLS-ROYCE) SQUADRON GAINS EXPEDITION LEADERS

LOCAL air cadets from 2175 (Rolls-Royce) Squadron, based in Hillington, Renfrewshire will be able to enjoy many more outward bound activities in 2005, thanks to two of their instructors, Pilot Officer Suzanne Callan RAF VR(T) (24) and Cadet Warrant Officer Bobby Hastie (20). 

The two instructors have recently been awarded their Basic Expedition Leaders Awards (BELA) from the British Sports Trust, after 6 months of training, assessment and voluntary experience. With these new qualifications, the squadron will be able to run their own adventure training camps and take part in numerous hill walks and map reading exercises. 

The six month course encompassed navigation, camp craft, leadership, first aid and health & safety training as well as three weekends camping outdoors. The course was run by Flight Lieutenant Dave Astin RAF VR(T), the Adventure Training Officer of Glasgow & West of Scotland Wing ATC. Plt Off Callan said of the award, “The Basic Expedition Leaders Award is a nationally recognised qualification which will greatly benefit the Air Cadets. We were encouraged to take part in the scheme in order to pass on the experience and fun times we had with the squadron in gaining our Silver Duke of Edinburgh Awards.” 

These two awards are the first BELA qualifications the squadron has achieved so far; however three more instructors have been inspired enough by these achievements to also enter the scheme. So, hopefully the squadron will have 5 awards by the end of this year.

Contact Details

For further information, please contact Plt Off Suzanne Callan, Squadron PR Officer.

ENDS