1982 (Huyton) Squadron Newsletter

Issue 9– June 2014

Nineteen 82

Find out what’s happening at 1982 (Huyton) Squadron in our quarterly newsletter

AIR

MARSHALLING 1982 (Huyton) Squadron McCarthy House The Park / Rydal Road Huyton Liverpool

www.1982.org.uk

Issue 9– June 2014 A Word from the Officer in Charge 2014 has certainly been a busy year so far, from providing the core activities such as classification training towards the BTEC in Aviation Studies, Leadership Training, the Duke of Edinburgh Award and most importantly planning for our Annual Inspection. It has been a busy time for 1982 and has utilised all of the skill sets that the staff and cadets bring to the squadron.

We also found a temporary lodger for a few weeks with 1438 (Prescot) Squadron sharing our building whilst their building had some work completed and for once the squadron had two Annual Inspections in the space of a few weeks, alas for two different units.

Our own Annual Inspection however was a success, this being my first as Officer in Charge at the squadron. The Reviewing Officers, Wing Commander L Keane & Squadron Leader C Sarsfield as ever where very impressed by the effort that all at 1982 had put into the inspection making me a very happy Officer in Charge indeed! Well done to you all.

We now move into the summer months, generally the time when Cadets, Staff and Civilian Committee enjoy holidays and a well earned rest, however we still have a busy few months ahead. Including Annual Camp to RAF Wyton, our annual trip to Nesscliff Training Camp in August with 1123 (Hooton Park) Squadron & 400 (Birkenhead) Squadron, plus preparation for the Wing Field Training Day in September.

Good luck and above all keep up the hard work!

www.1982.org.uk

Issue 9– June 2014 Civilian Committee News Mr John Sharkey BEM Chairperson Mr Colin Hughes Hon Treasurer

Mrs Sheila Power Hon Secretary

Mrs Andrea Hearn Assistant Hon Treasurer

Mrs Gwen Osborne Member

Mr Leonard Osborne Member

Ms Debbie Horwood Member

Forthcoming Fundraising Events

Saturday 2nd August - McGoldricks Park Summer Fayre Sunday 3rd August - Court Hey Park Flower Show

Parents / Guardians & Families are most welcome to attend as we need your support to make these events a success, All monies raised go back into the Squadron for the benefit of the cadets. We are currently raising funds to purchase Adventure Training equipment for the forthcoming Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme Expeditions.

The Mayors Charity Fund As you may be aware the Mayor of Knowsley for 2014/15 , Councillor Frank Walsh, chooses one or more charities/organisations to be beneficiaries of the Mayor’s Charity Fund. As part of this the Mayor has nominated 1982 (Huyton) to be one of the beneficiaries for donations this year.

Civilian Committee Chairperson, Mr John Sharkey BEM commented "This is great news for the Squadron and great to see some donations that will assist the squadron in providing future activities".

Officer in Charge, Flying Officer Neil Osborne RAFVR(T) added "It is fantastic to have our achievements identified by the Mayor & Knowsley Council and it will be brilliant gain further funds that will allow us to continue to provide activities and opportunities to the young people of Huyton and the surrounding Borough of Knowsley."

www.1982.org.uk

Issue 9– June 2014 Huyton Air Cadets Top Dogs On Sunday the 13th July, cadets and staff from 1982 (Huyton) Squadron RAF Air Cadets, joined forces with the staff and volunteers from Merseyside Dogs Trust to assist with their annual open day at the centre in Huyton, Liverpool.

Throughout the day cadets and staff organised and managed the off-site car parking for the hundreds of visitors in attendance at the Merseyside Dogs Trust Centre, alongside this the squadron also ran a recruitment stand advertising 1982 (Huyton) Squadron and the wider Air Cadet Organisation (ACO) to local community.

Cadet Sergeant Jack Lynch (18yrs), who assisted in running the recruitment stand, commented; “As always 1982 gave a fantastic impression to general public, with our high uniform standards and professional attitude to recruitment we attracted a lot of questions from potential new recruits and even some from past cadets!”

Event organiser Pilot Officer Ian Raynor added; “My thanks go to all the cadets and staff involved with this event, the weather was on our side and we gave a great show of support to our local community, you are all a credit to 1982 (Huyton) Squadron and the ACO as a whole!”

Huyton Squadron Air Cadets covers part of the South Liverpool area and offers a host of opportunities to local youngsters aged 12 and over. To find out more about Huyton Air Cadets why not visit our website at www.1982.org.uk or call the squadron 0151 449 3012, Tuesday and Thursday 7:00pm till 9:30pm.

www.1982.org.uk

Issue 9– June 2014 Cadets Compete Four cadets from 1982 (Huyton) Squadron RAF Air Cadets have recently taken part in the annual Merseyside Wing Full Bore Shooting Competition, held this year at MoD Sealand Ranges.

Shooting is an activity that promotes the highest standards of sportsmanship & self-discipline with safety being of paramount importance, all weapons training and live firing is conducted by trained and qualified members of adult staff with all cadets receiving training and testing on the safe handling of any weapon before they fire it.

The team, which consisted of Flight Sergeant Aron Stott (18yrs), Sergeant Jack Lynch (18yrs), Sergeant Karl Rio (17yrs) and Corporal Aiden Jackson (15yrs), were required to complete three consecutive shoots using the L98A2 Cadet GP Rifle, these consisted of a 10 round deliberate shoot, 5 round rapid shoot and a 5 round snap shoot.

Sergeant Jack Lynch (18yrs) commented; "We are confident we have done well in this year’s full bore competition, each team member came away from the firing point satisfied with their performance, and we can now only wait until the results of the competition are announced!"

www.1982.org.uk

Issue 9– June 2014 Annual Inspection 2014 Each year the thirty Air Cadet Squadrons that make up Merseyside Wing each take part in a formal inspection of their cadets, staff, premises and paperwork and this year was no different for the cadets and staff at 1982 (Huyton) Squadron as they were inspected by Reviewing Officer and Officer Commanding Merseyside Wing, Wing Commander L Keane.

The Inspection itself consists of two parts, the first of which is a formal parade, during which the reviewing officer has the chance to inspect the cadets and have a chat to them about their cadet careers whilst the second part is an inspection of the squadron buildings, surrounds and paperwork.

During the second half of the inspection Wing Commander Keane had the chance to see what the cadets were getting up to during training programme and also take part in the evening’s activities.

On conclusion of the evening, the reviewing officer congratulated the cadets and staff on a successful and impressive inspection, for which the results will be announced at the Wing Field Training Day in September.

Flying Officer Neil Osborne RAF VR(T), Officer in Charge 1982 (Huyton) Squadron, commented, “I would like to thank all of the cadets and staff for their hard work during the run up to the inspection, both Wing Commander Keane and Squadron Leader Sarsfield were very impressed with what they had seen at the squadron as we continue to build on the previous year’s success. Well done to all Cadets, NCOs, Staff and Civilian Committee of 1982 (Huyton) Squadron!”

www.1982.org.uk

Issue 9– June 2014 Knowsley Active Challenge 2014 On Tuesday 10th June staff and cadets from 1982 (Huyton) Squadron RAF Air Cadets took part in the Knowsley Active 5 Kilometre Challenge held within the grounds of Knowsley Hall.

The staff and cadets who took part in the event marched the entire 5km course in aid to raise funds for a new squadron vehicle that will enable the cadets to take part in more activities, camps and courses.

The event organiser for Huyton Squadron, Pilot Officer Ian Raynor, commented; "I would like to say a big well done to all of the cadets and staff that took part in the Knowsley 5km Challenge!" he continued, "They have all shown a real commitment to the event and although the sponsorship has yet to be collected I am sure you have all raised a fantastic amount that will support the Squadron vehicle fund."

First for Health and Safety Congratulations to Sergeant Jack Lynch (18yrs) and Corporal Aiden Jackson (15yrs) on being the first cadets at 1982 (Huyton) Squadron to be awarded the Entry Level in Workplace Hazard Awareness!

www.1982.org.uk

Issue 9– June 2014 Classification Success Congratulations to the following cadets on progressing to their next classification!

Leading Cadet Classification

Senior Cadet Classification

Cpl Aiden Jackson

Flight Sergeant Aron Stott

Cpl Sophie Grimes Cadet Kaillum Burke Cadet Sam Moore Cadet Vanessa Naddamba

www.1982.org.uk

Issue 9– June 2014

Thinking of joining the RAF Air Cadets?

Have a look at some of the Frequently Asked Questions below and begin your cadet career!

How old do you have to be to join?

You must be 13 years old to join the Air Cadets.

How much does is cost?

Subscriptions are ÂŁ12.50 a month, with your first month being free, so that you can decide if the Air Cadets is for you.

Where do you meet?

We parade at our Squadron Headquarters in The Park, Huyton.

Please see the Find Us page on the Squadron Website, www.1982.org.uk, for a map and route planner.

When do you meet?

We parade on Tuesdays and Thursday from 7pm till 9:30 pm.

There are also numerous weekend activities and weeklong camps that cadets will get the chance to go on.

How do I go about joining?

To begin your cadet career simply contact us using the Contact Form on the Squadron Website, www.1982.org.uk, to let us know you are interested in joining and what night you will be coming down to the Squadron.

Next Recruit Intake Date

Thursday 2nd October 2014

www.1982.org.uk

Issue 6– September 2013

Air Cadets Take-off with RAFA Wings Lotto – Now You Can Enter…

Now, for the first time ever, members and supporters of the ACO over the age of 16 are able to enter the Lotto, with 10% of the money from each ticket purchased going to a squadron of each player’s choice.

And the good news is it couldn’t be easier to enter…

RAFA have kindly created a dedicated easy to use Air Cadet Webpage, allowing members and supporters to sign-up. A box to enter the squadron of your choice is included on the web page, which ensures your chosen unit will benefit.

To visit the page and sign-up to the Lotto, which will allow you to play for prizes up-to £1,000 per week and possible rollover prizes of up-to £10,000, please visit the following Air Cadet sign-up page:

https://www.securecollections.com/dd/rafa/details.asp?cadet=y

Or search the web for “Air Cadets Wings Lotto” and support ACO Squadron

1982 HUYTON

www.1982.org.uk