Cadet Luke Robinson's Last Parade with 361 Squadron

Last Thursday was Cadet Luke Robinson's last parade with 361 (Gateshead) Squadron before his families move to Australia. 

Luke, who has been a member of both the 361 Squadron and Durham/Northumberland Wing bands, was presented with an Australian flag signed by cadets and staff, as well as a bush hat to keep away the flies in his new home and a kangaroo (not a real one!) to keep him company on the long flight to OZ.

Cdt Robinson pictured wearing his new headwear

Luke hopes to join the Australian Air Force Cadets when he arrives in Australia and we would like to wish him the best of luck for the future.

361 Squadron Open Day

On Saturday, 11th July we will be holding an Open Day for anyone interested in the Air Cadets and our range of activities.

There will be a wide range of displays and we will also be carrying out a sponsored Flight Simulator Challenge during which a group of cadets will be flying a Grob Tutor (on our flight simulator) to approximately 25 RAF airfields around the UK.

Membership of the Air Cadets is open to all young people over the age of 12 (and in, or about to go in Year 8 at school) and we also have adult volunteering opportunities available both uniformed and civilian.

All are welcome and we look forward to seeing you on Saturday at our squadron headquarters on Alexandra Road in Gateshead between 1000 and 1600hrs.

361 Squadron Success at the 2015 Wing Competitions Day

On Saturday, 9th May 361 (Gateshead) Squadron participated in the Durham/Northumberland Wing Competitions Day which was held in South Shields.

Competitions held on the day included Banner Drill, Drill, Aircraft Recognition, First Aid, Media and Aero Modelling all of which were open to all 35 Squadrons in the Wing.

The 361 (Gateshead) Squadron Banner Drill Squad

The 361 Drill Team

 

361 squadron's results for the day were:

1st Place in the Banner Drill Competition (for the 4th year in a row!)
2nd Place in the Drill Competition
3rd Place in the Junior Aircraft Recognition Competition

which resulted in 361 squadron being declared the overall winner of the day.

Beating the Retreat at Edinburgh Castle - 2015

On Saturday, 2nd May 2015 the Tri-Service Cadet Band performed the Beating of the Retreat on the Esplanade at Edinburgh Castle.

The band, which consists of the Sea Cadet Corps, the Black Watch Army Cadet Force and Durham/Northumberland Wing Air Cadets, as well as the Boys Brigade, is the only band of its kind in the United Kingdom and has performed annually in Edinburgh for the past few years.

(Video by Sgt (ATC) Callum Hartwell.)

Air Experience Flying at RAF Leeming

Today, four cadets from 361 squadron went flying at 11 Air Experience Flight at RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire.

Despite some limitations caused by the weather, Cadets Luke Robinson, Jack Tunnell, Logan Gibson and Brad Elliot all had good flights and learnt about take off, circuit and landing procedures.

Ice Skating at Whitley Bay

March 31st was a recreation evening at 361 squadron when a group of cadets went ice skating at Whitley Bay Ice Rink. 

A good time was had by all despite one or two cadets getting closer to the ice than they planned (i.e. falling over!)

National Navigation Award Scheme Training

Seven cadets from 361 Squadron were amongst a large number from Durham/Northumberland Wing who participated in a Bronze NNAS (National Navigation Award Scheme) training session at Chopwell Woods in Gateshead.

The NNAS is designed to train cadets in the map reading and navigation skills they will need when participating in the Expedition section of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

After spending a few hours finding their way around the woods, all cadets emerged unscathed so they must have learned something!

Six of the seven 361 Cadets who took part in todays training