Carol Vorderman Is First Female Honorary Ambassador for RAF Air Cadets

Carol Vorderman has “flown in” as the new Ambassador for the RAF Air Cadets – she becomes the first female honorary Group Captain ambassador to the organisation.

Click here for the full story on the Royal Air Force website.

Remembrance Sunday 2014

On Sunday the 9th November, 361 Squadron members took part in the Remembrance Parade and Service at Gateshead War Memorial.

Members of the squadron immediately after the parade

Wreaths were laid by CWO Ainsley and Cpl Purdy on behalf of 361 Squadron and SSAFA and the salute was taken during the March Past by the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Tyne and Wear.

The 361 squadron band, led by Drum Major, Cdt Vasey, led the Parade and March-Past.

Autumn Camp - RAF Valley

37 cadets from Durham/Northumberland (including members of 361 squadron) and Central and East Yorkshire Wings attended camp at RAF Valley on Anglesey in North Wales from the 25th October to 1st November.

They took part in a wide range of activities including visiting the two resident Hawk squadrons, learning about the role of RAF Sea King Search and Rescue helicopters, and Mountain Rescue Teams, Karting and a High Ropes course.

One lucky cadet from the camp was selected for a flight in a Hawk T2, becoming the first female cadet in the Air Cadet Organisation to fly in this version of the aircraft with her exciting flight including aerobatics and taking control of the aircraft.

Wing Cadet Drill Course

Durham/Northumberland Wing recently held its first Cadet Drill Course which was attended by seven specially selected cadet NCOs and organised by the Wing Warrant Officer, WO Vicky Farrimond (seen in the centre of the front row in the photograph).

Cadet NCOs on the course had to attend a selection day prior to the course and were assessed for their dress, deportment, drill and instructional skills.

Amongst those cadets NCOs selected for the course was Sgt Sam Hogg from 361 (Gateshead) Squadron (seen second from the right on the back row) who will now use the skills that he learnt to instruct cadets at Gateshead squadron to further improve their drill standard.

361 Squadron's Newest Corporal

Congratulations to Corporal Owen McPake who has just become the newest member of the 361 Squadron NCO team.

Owen who is also a member of both the 361 Squadron and Durham/Northumberland Wing bands will be a great asset to the squadron in the months to come.

Battle of Britain Parade in Durham

Last Sunday the annual Battle of Britain Parade and Service took place at Durham Cathedral and the Palace Green.

 Over 250 cadets from Durham/Northumberland Wing took part in both the service and parade and music was provided by the Wing Band.

WW1 commemorations also took place in Durham on both Saturday and Sunday and the Durham/Northumberland Wing recruitment trailer, which was  located on Palace Green throughout the weekend, was visited by two members of the Durham Light Infantry Re-enactment Society. The re-enactor on the right (in WW1 uniform) is actually Cpl Jack Dawson from 361 (Gateshead) Squadron who swapped his Air Cadet blue uniform for khaki for the occasion.

Corporal Clelland's Music BTEC

Cpl Elisha Clelland was recentely presented with her Music BTEC Extended Certificate in which she achieved a Distinction which is equivalent to 4 GCSEs at A* level.

Members of the Air Cadet Organisation can qualify for a number of BTEC awards in a range of subjects including Aeronautical Studies, Public Services and Music.