February 2009 Newsletter

This years Easter Camp will take place at RAF Wittering on April 15th to April 22nd. The Squadron has been allocated 4 Male and 3 Female cadet places. Names of the cadets selected to attend the camp will be published shortly.

One of the oldest flying stations in the Royal Air Force, RAF Wittering has played a prominent part both in military operations and in the development of air power throughout its rich and diverse history dating back to 1916; it continues to do so today. The Station, which is home to more than 2,050 Royal Air Force, Royal Navy and Ministry of Defence civilian personnel, now has responsibility for a wide range of diverse operational units, both in terms of the output from the elements that make up the RAF Logistics Hub and in respect of the support it provides for all the units and personnel, both military and civilian, at Wittering.

As a flying station, it provides full airfield facilities to support Joint Force Harrier and other aircraft. As the RAF Logistics Hub, it provides expeditionary logistics in support of RAF operations worldwide.


FLY BY - NEWSLETTER
Welcome to the first issue of Fly By the Squadrons first internet based only newsletter, the newsletter has changed its name and been given a new outlook, it is hoped that we can now fully involve and update all parents and supporters of the Squadron on our activities and achievements.
RECENT LOSS OF TWO CADETS MESSAGE FROM COMMANDANT AIR CADETS February 17 2009 Air Commodore Stewart speaks on behalf of the organisation regarding the recent loss of two air cadets, taken from ACO website, www.aircadets.org. It is with great sadness that I write to express my grief at the loss of two young Air Cadets and their Royal Air Force instructors. The immediate families have lost their loved ones and the Air Cadet Organisation, as a member of the Royal Air Force family, mourns the loss of its friends. The pilots and cadets were linked by a love of flying that transcends age and experience, bringing them all into a wider family that extends across the globe. On behalf of the entire Air Cadet Organisation throughout the country, I offer my deepest sympathy to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives. I have received numerous messages of support from many corners of the world and I pass this support on to No.1 Welsh Wing, 1004 (Pontypridd) Squadron, Tonyrefail Comprehensive School and the families of those involved. The lives of Hylton, Andrew, Nikkita and Katie-Jo will never be forgotten – we will always remember them. Ian R W Stewart I R W STEWART Air Commodore Commandant of the Air Cadet Organisation
	FIRST AID TRAINING This month has seen 15 cadets from the squadron undertake first aid training. This training has been providing with the kind assistance of Angela O'Sullivan of St Johns Ambulance, Angela has volunteered her time to train our cadets in a much needed skill. Congratulations are passed to all the cadets who have participated and passed. Badges and certificates will be available shortly. The next course will be run over the weekend of April 4th and 5th 2009, all cadets that have not already passed should ensure they are available during this period.
JUNIOR NCO COURSE The following cadets have recently attended the Wing Jnr NCO Course - Cdt Cpl Jamie Lloyd, Cdt Dewi Burford, Cdt Anthony Provis, Cdt Ben Delaney The course provides cadets with training and instruction with regards to the role of the Junior NCO in the Air Training Corps, during the course of the weekend they are taught many skills including, leadership, security, health and safety, drill, working in a team, their role as a Junior NCO, Welfare, Ethos, Rank Structure. The course is overseen by the Wing Cadet Training Development Officer Flt Lt Andy Scott RAFVR(T) with many other staff members and cadets from around the Wing also volunteering their time to provide the training and assisting in other areas.
	GLIDING On February 7th three cadets from the Squadron undertook air experience in a Glider at MoD St Athan, each cadet during their cadet career participate in various stages of the Gliding Induction Course (GIC). During the flight the cadets had the opportunity to take control and practice what they have learned during the flight and completing for one cadet their, GIC 3. Certificates were issued to all cadets in attendance, these will be presented at the Squadron Presentation Evening later in the year.
	EASTER CAMP This years Easter Camp will take place at RAF Wittering on April 15th to April 22nd. The Squadron has been allocated 4 Male and 3 Female cadet places. Names of the cadets selected to attend the camp will be published shortly. One of the oldest flying stations in the Royal Air Force, RAF Wittering has played a prominent part both in military operations and in the development of air power throughout its rich and diverse history dating back to 1916; it continues to do so today. The Station, which is home to more than 2,050 Royal Air Force, Royal Navy and Ministry of Defence civilian personnel, now has responsibility for a wide range of diverse operational units, both in terms of the output from the elements that make up the RAF Logistics Hub and in respect of the support it provides for all the units and personnel, both military and civilian, at Wittering. As a flying station, it provides full airfield facilities to support Joint Force Harrier and other aircraft. As the RAF Logistics Hub, it provides expeditionary logistics in support of RAF operations worldwide.
	SUMMER CAMP This years Summer Camps have been announced, camps available to No 1 Welsh Wing this summer include, RAF Aldergrove (Northern Ireland), RAF Spadeadam, RAF Cottesmore. The squadron has bid for places at RAF Cottesmore for the period August 15th to August 23rd. Further news on this will be posted at a later date. RAF Cottesmore has an important role and a high profile, and this looks set to continue into the future. On 1 April 2000, Joint Force Harrier - one of the key initiatives to come out of the Strategic Defence Review - was formed. In the current crisis Joint Force Harrier will see RAF Harriers and Royal Navy Sea Harriers operating as part of a combined force, able to present a significant and credible threat of force in support of UNSCR 1441.
SUBSCRIPTION PAYMENTS There are a number of cadets on the Squadron who are falling behind on their subscription payments. These payments must be paid even if no attendance by a cadet. The squadron has very limited funds and these subscription payments play an important part in the future of the squadron and its cadets. There are a number of things the staff are trying to organize to gain further financial assistance for the squadron but these are long term goals. One of these has been the recent addition of the Squadron shops on our website. Money will only be released by these shops once a set target has been reached. We urge all parents and guardians to try to keep subscriptions up to date. In April this year we will see a major change on the Squadron with regard to subscription payments, this has been brought about to try and limit the handling of money on squadron by both cadets and staff, at present subs is being collected every night and can be time consuming. As of April 2009 each cadet will be requested to pay the full £7 (the majority of squadrons within the Air Training Corps charge £10) for the month on the first parade night and the first parade night of each month there after. It is hoped that this can be also be conduced by Standing Order, therefore a Gift Aid donation can also be sort to increase our financial support, your ever continued support and efforts in this matter are greatly appreciated