Pretty Muddy in Newcastle

Last Saturday cadets from 361 (Gateshead) Squadron helped with marshalling at the Pretty Muddy event at Newcastle Racecourse which is an annual women's charity obstacle course in aid of Cancer Research UK.

During the event, which had around 3,000 registered participants, cadets spent the day encouraging runners over a range of nine obstacles including scramble nets, mud pits, climbing frames and an inflatable slide into a pool full of mud!

Much money was raised on the day for this very worthwhile charity and the cadets were thanked for their help during the event which could not take place without the help of a crew of volunteers.

Pictured below are three cadets from the squadron (two wearing their official volunteer T-Shirts) at the end of the day in front of the final obstacle of the course.

From left to right: Cdt Owen McPake, Sgt Sam Hogg and Cdt William Fletcher

Reduction in Air Cadet Joining Age

With effect from 1st August 2014 the regulations specifying cadet joining age will change.

A young person who is over 12 years of age becomes eligible to join the Air Cadet Organisation from the start of school year 8 in England and Wales. 

This change will allow young people in the same year group at school to join the Air Cadets at the same time rather than having to wait until they are 13 years of age.

(In Scotland a young person will become eligible to join in year S2 and in Northern Ireland, year 9.)

In addition any young person becomes eligible to join when they reach 13 years of age regardless of their school year.

A person cannot join after their 17th birthday.

361 Squadron Annual Formal Inspection

A reminder to all 361 squadron members that the Wing Commander's Annual Formal Inspection takes place on Thursday, 3rd July.

All cadets are expected to attend on that night. (Dress is Wedgwood Shirt and Tie.)

Beating the Retreat at Edinburgh Castle

Following a week long band camp at Barry Buddon near Dundee, Cadet Owen McPake from 361 Squadron was selected to take part in a Tri-Service Beating the Retreat ceremony at Edinburgh Castle.

Cadets from Durham/Northumberland Wing Air Training Corps, the Army Cadet Force and the Sea Cadet Corps put on an exceptional show of their music and marching skills which was seen by an enthusiastic crowd of spectators.

In addition to the ceremony in Edinburgh, an additional performance was carried out in Dundee City Centre in which other cadets from Gateshead squadron took part.

Latest Cadet Uniform!

Cadet Jack Dawson is seen wearing the latest version of uniform which will be issued to all cadets in the near future.

He is also seen with the new rifle which will replace the L98A2 in the next few months (and will require additional training and a new Weapons Handing Test to be carried out).

(Actually, Jack is a member of the DLI re-enactment group and is seen at the Georgian Fair at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North East this weekend.)

Wing Competitions Day 2014

On the 10th May, the squadron took part in the the Durham Northumberland Wing Competitions Day in South Shields.

361 took part in the Drill, Banner Drill, First Aid and Aircraft Recognition competitions and were the winners of the Banner Drill Competition (for the third year running) and came third overall of the 35 squadrons in the Wing on the day.

The 361 Squadron Banner Drill Team...

...and Drill Team

Easter Camp - RAF Cranwell

In late April, cadets from 361 (Gateshead) Squadron attended camp at RAF Cranwell in Nottinghamshire.

The cadets were joined on the Camp Photograph outside the historic College Hall Officers Mess by Air Commodore Dawn McCafferty, Commandant of the Air Cadet Organisation, who also took part in a gym session with the cadets later that day.
 
Cadets took part in a wide range of activities including flying in RAF King Air aircraft, visiting a range of section including Air Traffic Control, the Fire Section and the Police Flight as well as taking part in shooting (where Cadet Warrant Officer Beth Aisley qualified for a Regional marksman badge), sports and visiting the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at RAF Coningsby, the Imperial War Museum at Duxford and partaking in recreational activities including Go-Karting and 10-Pin Bowling.

Cdts Ryan Vasey and Adam Easton getting ready for Karting

 

Getting up close to a Spitfire at the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight...

...and the Lancaster bomber