Issue 2 - September 2012
Nineteen 82
y r a rs
ve i n n on A h diti t 0 7 E
Find out what’s happening at 1982 (Huyton) Squadron in our quarterly newsletter
70 Years of 1982 (Huyton) Squadron Air Cadets
1982 (Huyton) Squadron McCarthy House The Park / Rydal Road Huyton Liverpool
www.1982.org.uk
Issue 2 - September 2012 70 Years of 1982 (Huyton) Squadron The cadets and staff of 1982 (Huyton) Squadron have been celebrating the 70th anniversary of the unit with a number of events, over the weekend commencing 13th July. 1982 (Huyton) Squadron was formed In 1942 as Prescot and District No 2 Squadron and operated out of St Aloysius RC Secondary School it was shortly after that it became known as 1982 (Huyton) Squadron, commanded by Flight Lieutenant WJ Houlton. On Friday 13th July the squadron held a quiz and games night at the RAFA Huyton branch, in which current cadets and parents could attend along with ex members and others affiliated with the squadron. This was followed by an open day at the squadron headquarters on Saturday 14th, where a vast amount of memorabilia from years gone by was put on display for ex members to come and view, alongside this there was also several displays put on by the cadet NCO’s depicting the current activities cadet from 1982 take part in. The weekend came to a close with a small church service and parade at St Gabriel’s Church, Huyton on Sunday 15th, In which Flight Lieutenant Sarah Vose along with Flight Sergeant Ashley Stott (19 yrs) and Corporal Liam Mellor (16 yrs) gave readings to the local community and veterans, the squadron was also presented with several Birthday Card, created by children from the church. The Commanding Officer of 1982 (Huyton) Squadron, Flight Lieutenant Sarah Vose, commented; “It is an absolute honor to command 1982 (Huyton) Squadron during its 70th year , I am so proud of all the staff and cadets, as without them 1982 wouldn’t continue to succeed at everything we take part in and be a vital part of the community.”
www.1982.org.uk
Issue 2 - September 2012 Kayak Competition Champions On the weekend commencing the 19th May, six cadets from 1982 (Huyton) Squadron Air Cadets, took part in the first Merseyside Wing Kayaking Competition at Mersey Sports, Queens Dock competing against squadrons from all over the Merseyside area. The competition started at 9.00am where the cadets had time to practice before they began the competing, the team from 1982 consisted of; Cadet Greg Madden, Cadet Michael Pepper, Corporal Liam Mellor, Corporal Jack Lynch, Sergeant Scott Gibson and Sergeant Tom Horwood, all of whom have regularly attended kayak courses with the squadron which has enabled them to gain their one and two star kayaking qualifications. The team played a total of five matches and the final, in which they won 8-3 against 2375 (Neston) Squadron, making Huyton the first ever winners of the Merseyside Wing Kayak Competition. Civilian Instructor Tom Lynch commented on the day’s performance “The team put in maximum effort to bring home what will hopefully be the first of many Merseyside Wing Kayaking Competition trophies, well done to all”. Abersoch Adventure On the weekend beginning the 29th June, thirteen cadets from 1982 (Huyton) Squadron Air Cadets attended a squadron run training camp held at Abersoch in Wales. The camp, which is run several times throughout the year, teaches the cadets basic skills such as cooking, map reading and teamwork, all of which will put them in good stead both in civilian life and when they come to attend other camps throughout their cadet careers. Over the 2 days the cadets where at Abersoch they took part several activities, including a day walk around the local area, aimed at teaching them basic navigational skills, various sports and fitness training as well as a sand castle competition and Go Karting to round the weekend off. The cadets were also scored on their teamwork & organisation and received points for sports, sand castle building, room inspections and a quiz of the local area, all of which lead to the flight commanded by Corporal Aron Stott being crowned victors! Overall the weekend was great success and was thoroughly enjoyed by cadets and staff alike, Civilian Instructor Greg Jennings commented, “The cadets had a great time at Abersoch and will return to Huyton with more knowledge and many new skills, it was a weekend well spent!”
www.1982.org.uk
Issue 2 - September 2012 Recruit Training Weekend On the weekend beginning the 19th May eighteen Cadets from 1982 (Huyton) Squadron Air Cadets attended a recruit weekend held at squadron headquarters to teach them the basics they will need to take part in many of the activities that the Air Training Corps has to offer. During the weekend the cadets took part in many activities ranging from Sports and Map Reading, were they completed a short day walk, to a presentation on Life in the Royal Air Force and Initiative Exercises. The weekend, which is designed to educate the cadets in the subjects required for their First Class Classification also helps the cadets to bond as well as encouraging confidence and team work, skills which they will find invaluable in both the cadet forces and civilian life. Cadet Stephanie Campbell commented “It was a really good experience, we all had a good laugh and learnt a lot of valuable skills, I would definitely do it again�
www.1982.org.uk
Issue 2 - September 2012 RAF Cosford Air Show Cadets from 1982 (Huyton) Squadron and 1438 (Prescot) Squadron Air Cadets recently attended the impressive Cosford Air Show, held at RAF Cosford, Wolverhampton. This year the cadets had the opportunity to witness some fantastic flying displays from teams including the RAF Tutor Display Team, Attack Helicopter Display Team, RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team and even the RAF Typhoon Display Team to name but a handful. Alongside these exceptional aerial displays there was also the chance to view numerous ground displays from the RAF Presentation Team and RAF Regiment right the way through to Airfix Models, Volunteer Band of the Royal Air Force and the RAF Cosford Air Museum. Officer Cadet Ian Raynor of 1982 (Huyton) Squadron, who organised the visit, commented “We offer such a vast amount of activities in the Air Cadet Organisation that it is sometimes easy to get distracted from what the Air Training Corps was built on, It makes a nice change to get back to our roots while at the same time treating the cadets for their hard work” Team Leader Congratulations to Corporal Liam Mellor (16) who has successfully completed the Air Cadet Leadership Course, held at ATE Nesscliffe, Shropshire. The seven day course which is aimed at high-calibre cadet NCOs covers various activities from skill at arms and command tasks to fieldcraft and orienteering, and is aimed at developing the cadets initiative, and self reliance and to exercise their practical leadership. Corporal Mellor successfully completed the course, achieving a overall ‘Merit’ grading. Squadron Warrant Officer, Edd Vose commented, “Corporal Mellor should be congratulated for his successful completion of the Air Cadet Leadership Course, I have no doubts that he will continue to put into practise all that he has learnt on the course and help develop and lead those cadets below him.”
www.1982.org.uk
Issue 2 - September 2012 Word Search—Officer Ranks
Can you find them all?
Annual Inspection Accomplishment After much preparation the cadets and staff of 1982 (Huyton) Squadron Air Cadets recently held their Annual Inspection before reviewing officers, Wing Commander Les Keane, Officer Commanding Merseyside Wing and Squadron Leader Dave Wells, Wing Staff Officer. The Inspection which is performed in two parts consists of a formal parade, were the Wing Commander has the chance to inspect the cadets and chat to them about what activities they have been taking part in, as well as an inspection of the squadron premises and administration. During the week leading up to the inspection many cadets and staff had been working hard at the Squadron Headquarters, ensuring that everything from the grounds to the paperwork was in first-class condition, even polishing the floors to a mirror shine! On conclusion of the evening the Wing Commander congratulated the cadets and staff on a successful and impressive inspection, results of which will be announced on Field Training Day in September. Before departing the Wing Commander made several medal presentations to members of the squadron staff who were eligible for the Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal, these were awarded to Flying Officer Neil Osborne and Warrant Officer Edd Vose. Flight Lieutenant Sarah Vose, Officer Commanding 1982 (Huyton) Squadron commented, “I am very proud of all the cadets and staff for the effort that they put into the squadron. If it wasn’t for their continued hard work we wouldn’t be able to offer all of the great opportunities and activities that we currently take part in.”
www.1982.org.uk
Issue 2 - September 2012 Shooting Competition On Sunday 6th May, six cadets from 1982 (Huyton) Squadron attended Merseyside Wings annual full bore shooting competition. The competition which took place at Altcar Ranges in Formby, saw the cadets shoot the L98 A2, Cadet Target Rifle, in a series of competition shoots. The team which consisted of Flight Sergeant Ashley Stott, Corporal Karl Rio, Corporal Jack Lynch Corporal Jack Paterson, Corporal Liam Mellor and Cadet Ryan Taylor-Smith undertook three separate shoots. The first shoot to be undertaken was the deliberate shoot, this was a shoot comprising of twelve rounds, the first two rounds of which were sighting rounds, allowing them to adjust their weapons and positions as needed to provide a more accurate shot. The next ten rounds on target were then scored, this was followed by rapid fire, in which cadets had to place five rounds, accurately on the target within a ten second time period and finally a snap shoot, which entails the targets to be moved out of sight for a random period of time before being moved back for five seconds, during which time the shooter has to place one shot accurately on target before it moves out of sight again. Corporal Rio commented “I was really enjoyable day, shooting is always a popular activity in the Air Cadet calendar and although there was some tough competition we feel confident of our efforts and look forward to the results.” St Gabriel's Fun Day On the 13th July, cadet from 1982 (Huyton) Squadron Air Cadets attended St Gabriel’s Church at the request of the squadron padre, Rev Malcolm Rogers, to assist in running the churches annual fun day fundraiser. The cadets took on various tasks such as marshalling and monitoring entry to numerous attractions the most notable being the giant inflatable obstacle course where cadets and staff took control of the safe entry and exit of the course. Squadron Warrant Officer, Edd Vose commented “St Gabriel’s provide the squadron with many services, including a place to hold our annual presentation evening, it seems only fair that we should give them something back in return for their support of the squadron.”
www.1982.org.uk
Issue 2 - September 2012 Careers Comradery Over the summer holidays cadets from 1982 (Huyton) Squadron have been taking part in presentations and leadership exercises, run by the team at the Armed Forces Careers Office in Aintree, Liverpool. The AFCO Team provides the cadets the opportunity to develop themselves both individually and as a team in a fun and safe environment. Each group spent five hours with the AFCO team taking part in various activities, including a low ropes course, presentations, flight simulator and other team building exercises to name but a few. Squadron Warrant Officer, Edd Vose commented “This was a fantastic opportunity for the cadets, each one of them thoroughly enjoyed themselves and came away with something positive that they can put to use in both their cadet and civilian lives, I can’t thank the AFCO team enough.”
Flying High with the Air Cadets This wasn’t the usual summer holiday weekend for 6 cadets from 1982 (Huyton) Squadron Air Cadets, as they took to the skies above Merseyside and Shropshire for Air Experience Gliding, at RAF Woodvale and RAF Ternhill last Saturday and Sunday. The cadets were given the chance to take to the controls of the Vigilant Gilder to experience the effect they have on the aircraft and to do some sightseeing around the area, all of which contributed towards their Gliding Induction Course and will put them in good stead should they wish to progress onto a Gliding Scholarship and the chance to fly solo! Civilian Instructor Clarke Matthews, Squadron Flying and Gliding Officer commented, “The cadets had a great weekend of gliding, it is safe to say they have caught the flying and gliding bug and with many more opportunities for flying and gliding it won’t be long before they are back in the air!”
www.1982.org.uk