News Bytes and Important Dates for your Diary

 

Keep yourself up to date with all the latest happenings on the squadron by checking the links below. (Wherever possible the cadets write the articles with as little editing as possible by the staff - Sgt Russell)

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Training Programme - Click here to download

 

Squadron Diary

5th July - Stoke Fair 6th July - Capel le Ferne Battle of Britian Parade 19th - 26th July - Annual Camp RAF Leuchars __________________________________________________________________________________________________ NO PARADES ON BANK HOLIDAYS, PLEASE ADVISE THE SQUADRON ON NIGHTS CADETS WILL NOT BE ATTENDING ON 01634 720503 __________________________________________________________________________________________________ NONATTENDANCE We have had several instances recently of cadets who have been selected to do outside events (flying, gliding etc.) not turning up. This means they deny the place and opportunity to someone else, and cause the others to wait around in case they are late. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ THIS MUST STOP Cadets are reminded if you are not going to be attending the squadron in uniform (or you have not yet been issued uniform), you are to attend the squadron in school uniform, or other smart clothing. Cadets who fail to comply will issued coveralls to wear that parade night.

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News in Brief

By Sgt Russell

Cdts Dyson and Gordon have both been promoted to Cdt Corporal, and Cdt Sgt Wilson has been promoted to Cdt Flight Sergeant.

Cdt Allen represented Kent Wing at the London and South East region Athletics, and came third in the 1500m. Well done.

The squadron has passed its annual drill test, and came second in area 2, which means we are in the Wing finals again. Congratulations to all who took part.

8 of our cadets took part in the Edinburgh Chase, a night navigation exercise, in the Dartford area. These cadets were split into 2 groups of 4 and walked a distance of 20 miles in the dark. The senior team which consisted of CWO Sanderson, CWO Taylor, Flt Sgt Kingsnorth and Sgt Rose came 24th out of 26. The junior team which consisted of Flt Sgt Wilson, Sgt Saunders, Cpl Gordon and Cpl Mahoney A, they came 10th out of 32. A total of 96 teams took part in the Edinburgh chase, Well done to all those that took part and raised money for the squadron.

CWO Sanderson and Flt Sgt Kingsnorth went to Sun n' Fun this year which is the 2nd largest air show in the world. They went along with 32 other cadets from Kent Wing and helped the Americans to maneuver aircraft around the air base. Flt Sgt Kingsnorth also got a flight in the Huey. They also went to Universal studios, Islands of Adventure, Busch Gardens and Seaworld. They would both recommend Sun n' Fun to any cadet which is willing to have lots of, meet the American Civil Air Patrol and Volunteer at one of the most amazing air shows.

On Sunday 15th June, cadets from the squadron took part in the Kent Wing Modelling Competition, which was held at KWHQ. Out of the models entered, the following won prizes :-

Cdt Parkinson and Cpl Gallop came 3rd in the dioramas class with a JU-87 Stuka and Spitfire.

Cpl Carter came 2nd in the over 16 aircraft class with a wooden Shorts Sunderland.

Cdt Stebbins came 1st in the over 16 other models class with a Tiger tank.

Well done to all how took part. Those listed above go on to the Regional competition on Saturday, 11th October.

 

Biggin Hill Air Show

By Cdt Armitage

On Saturday 7th June, six cadets from our squadron attended Biggin Hill air show. We had to wake up extraordinarily early, at around half past four(!) to arrive at the squadron before half past five. The journey took approximately one hour and fortunately there wasn't any traffic. When we arrived, we helped other ATC vehicles park and took our bags into a huge tent. Once all the cadets arrived we formed one huge squad, then we were split into different flights A,B and C. Cdt Flight Sergeant Wilson was in charge of B. We then got briefed about different duties we might have to participate in and told if we were on shift or reserve. The day was extremely exciting as we saw many varieties of aircraft including the RAF Hawk, Eurofighter Typhoon, Spitfires, Hurricanes, a Lancaster bomber and many more different and amazing acts. Some of the duties we committed ourselves to consisted of stopping civilians entering the runways, collecting tickets for entry and promoting the Air Training Corps. We had a very nice choice of lunch, it was like a barbecue and was cooked in the huge tent I mentioned previously (Well done Chatham Catering Corps aka 1404 Sqn CivComm. Sgt R) It was very delicious. Obviously before we left we had a tidy up which involved walking in a long line and picking up any apparent litter in front of us. We then disembarked and had a pleasant journey home. Also some of us got very burnt but it's our own fault because we were warned.

 

Flying at RAF Wyton

By Cpl Mahoney A

We left the squadron at 09:30hrs. It was really hard getting out of the squadron because of two cars parked by the entrance road. I sat next to Cdt Molineux, next to him was Cdt Wiseman, behind him was Cdt Armitage and on the front row was Cdt Gordon. Sgt Russell drove us up to RAF Wyton in Cambridgeshire.

We drove on to the RAF airfield (not literally. Sgt R), parked, and walking into the AEF building. We watched the AEF safety video, then we put Top Gun on (Goodness gracious, great balls of fire) (Note : it's traditional to watch Top Gun at AEF. Sgt R) First, Cdts Wiseman and Molineux went up. We were worried about Cdt Wiseman because he is very small. (You have to be a certain height to fit in the parachute. No chute, no flight. Sgt R) Those two came back down, with silly grins on faces. Cdts Armatage, Gordon and I then got taken over to flying clothing stores by the Marshall. We got a flight suit, parachutes, helmets and gloves on and then got taken out to the plane. We took off and flew towards Cambridge, which was 10 miles away. When we got 1 mile from the city we had to ask permission to fly overhead, and I took some photos before we flew back. We did a gliding landing (it was really steep), then we did a touch and go and then we did a simulated no flaps landing. Then we got back to the building for cleanup. Then we left for home, and we got back to the squadron at 19:00hrs.

 

In Memorium

By Sgt Russell ATC

It is with great sadness and regret that we have learnt of the death of Flt. Lt. W. McCullough RAFVR(T).

Bill McCullough had served as the CO of 25 (Parkwood) Sqn ATC for many years, and was well known to the staff and cadets of 213 Sqn through the many joint adventure training exercises we held, as well as the sponsored truck pull he organized amongst the Medway Sqns for the tsunami appeal. However, last year Bill developed terminal cancer and on the 17th February, he passed away.

All the staff and cadets at 213 Sqn send their deepest condolences to Bill's family, and all the staff and cadets at 25 Sqn.

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KIT CHECK- get it right! C O M B A T S

Combat dress is British army pattern DPM - preferably soldier 95 pattern. Worn with the Squadron badge on the right upper arm available from stores for £2... We have now got a good source of this kit, reasonably priced, so if you need some get it sorted by talking to either WO Everett or CI Parkinson (don't forget to tell us your size)

Any parent wanting advice please call WO Everett on 07905 950958.