Wing Training Day 2012

A big well done to all those who took part – you should be rightfully proud!

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Cadets from 967 and 471 Squadrons enjoyed a day walk around Beacon Fell learning how to put their map reading skills into action. As part of their basic training all new Cadet study map reading and the walk allowed them to try out their skills in the real world for the first time.

Cadet's Reach the Summit!

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Best Cadet - Garion Swann

The Cadets and Staff of 967 BAe Warton Squadron Air Training Corps recently celebrated another fantastic year of achievements at their Annual Awards Dinner held at Ribby Hall near Kirkham.

Almost 100 guests, including Squadron staff, parents, committee members, staff from the Wing and of course our Cadets, witnessed a variety of awards and speeches, including a speech from the Squadron’s Guest of Honour, Wing Commander (Ret’d) Al Simmonite.

Wing Commander Simmonite recounted a number of humorous and thought provoking stories for the benefit of the Cadets and other guests. Speaking for the first time at our dinner was the ‘in-coming’ Commanding Officer of the newly formed Cumbria and Lancashire Wing, who spoke about the challenges the Squadron will face to maintain its high score in the recent inspection and also took time to present the Squadron’s Commanding Officer with the second clasp for his Cadet Forces Medal, representing a total of 24 years adult service with the ATC!

Squadron staff member, Flying Officer Ed Smith, commented on the evening saying:

It was great to see such a good turn out, especially from the Cadets and their families, celebrating the Squadron’s achievements over the past twelve months.

Following the speeches the awards were presented, including a number of promotions. The night concluded with a disco, thoroughly enjoyed by all, especially the Wing Commander who was the last person to leave the dance floor and dinner!

The full list of awards presented is below:

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Organised by the Squadron’s President, who is also BAE Systems’ Military Liaison Executive, the Cadets were shown a presentation describing how the Warton site fits into the wider BAE Systems business before being given a guided tour of some the aircraft production and maintenance hangars.

The highlight was a tour around the Typhoon Final Assembly facility, where the various components are brought together from the 4 partner Nations and assembled into shiny new Eurofighter Typhoons.

Following the visit Flt Lt Steve Faulkner said:

This was a unique and special opportunity for 967 Squadron Cadets. The visit supports our aviation training syllabus and provides a fantastic insight into a modern aircraft manufacturing organisation. My thanks to BAE Systems for their hospitality and their sponsorship of our new Squadron Banner for display at local events.

Warton Visit

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Cadets Stephen Carr and Joshua Stretton

Cadets from across Lancashire were honoured for their efforts supporting the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal recently at an evening reception hosted at Kimberley Barracks, Preston and attended by the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, Lord Shuttleworth.

For around 15 years now the Lord Lieutenant has headed up the ‘Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire Poppy Appeal Awards’, a competition between the Cadet Services that provides for inter-service healthy competition but more importantly provides a boost to help support fundraising for the Poppy Appeal. Cadets from the Army, Sea and Air Cadets were present on the evening representing Cadet units from across Lancashire. Lord Shuttleworth presented various awards to top fundraising Cadets and units from each of the Cadet services and also an overall individual Cadet and Cadet unit award.

The Lord Lieutenant attended with his wife, Lady Shuttleworth, Mayors, Mayoresses and their representatives from across Lancashire and the Assistant Chief Constable for Lancashire Constabulary Peter White who presented the Chief Constable’s Endeavour Award at the Awards evening on Monday 23rd April 2012.

Cadet Stephen Carr and Cadet Joshua Stretton represented 967 (BAe Warton) Squadron as they were the two top fundraisers during the 2011 Poppy Appeal. Stephen raised a fantastic £631.01 and topped the fundraising table for the Squadron. Joshua managed to raise £460.99. Two fantastic totals that contributed toward the Squadron total for the Poppy Appeal of £4279.51. Flt Lt Steve Faulkner, OC 967 Sqn commented

“It is always an honour to support the work of the Royal British Legion especially through the Poppy Appeal. Getting involved in the Lord Lieutenant’s Poppy Appeal Awards adds that extra touch and incentive for the Cadets and I am immensily proud of the work that the Cadets do every year to support the Poppy Appeal. The amount the Squadron raised this last year is phenominal and everyone involved should be justly proud of their work supporting the RBL”

Cadets Stephen Carr and Joshua Stretton accompanied by Fly Lt Steve Faulkner

Pictured at the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire’s Poppy Appeal Awards night and from left to right, Cdt Stephen Carr, Flt Lt Steve Faulkner, Cdt Joshua Stretton.

The Royal British Legion is the UK’s leading Service charity. They provide practical care, advice and support to serving members of the Armed Forces, veterans of all ages and their families.

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On the weekend – specifically designed for new Cadets, all five had the opportunity to take part in map and Compass skills, Obstacle Course, Target Shooting, Drill, Radios and a Night Ex.

All the Cadets had a great time as did the 2 staff who helped run the weekend. Thanks to Sqn Ldr Entwhistle for organising the activity and giving the 967 Cadets an excellent experience.

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ATC Sunday 2012

Every year Cadets throughout the organisation get together to celebrate ATC Sunday. 2012 was no different, with over 650 Cadets and Staff from the newly formed Cumbria and Lancashire Wing getting together for a Church service and then march past in Lancaster.

As part of the service the new Wing Banner was dedicated by The Reverend (Group Captain) Richard Lee QHC AKC df FRSA RAF Ret’d, Wing Chaplain and Rector of Egremont.

The route took the parade along Lancaster’s one way system, bringing the whole of the City to a halt. 967 Squadron’s Commanding Officer played a pivotal role – commanding Number 3 Flight. The flight consisted of almost 100 Cadets and Staff from Squadron’s on the Fylde coast. Cadet Spencer commented on what it was like to be part of the parade:

Being part of such a huge group of Cadets was truly aweinspiring.

There was an excellent turn out from the 967 (BAe Warton) Squadron’s Cadets, with 13 on parade.

Flight Lieutenant Steve Faulkner, Officer Commanding 967, later commented:

It fills me with great pride that Cadets from 967 join in celebration of the formation of the ATC. The history of the ATC dates back to 1941 and we are honoured to play our role in continuing the great work of the Cadets in their communities and wider afield.

Cadet Parker summed the day up:

What is not to like; tea and biscuits after showing Lancaster our image!

Many thanks to WO Barnard for the photos.

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All ATC Squadrons are inspected annually by the Officer Commanding their Wing, in the case of 967 Squadron this is by Wing Commander Steve Molloy and Squadron Leader Eddie Kay. As part of the inspection an assessment of the Squadron is made and in the case of 967 Squadron an excellent score of 7 out of a possible 7 was given.

As well as over seeing the assessment process, Wing Commander Molloy inspected and spoke to each and every Cadet during parade. Cadet Heap reflected on her conversation with the Wing Commander…

I felt privileged to have a  conversation with our Wing Commander.

Following parade, the Cadets carried out activities from their normal training programme, in particular taking advantage of the Squadron’s new leadership equipment. The Wing Commander took the opportunity to sit in on the activities, asking questions and taking a keen interest. The Squadron’s Civilian Committee were also in attendance to continue the planning for the Annual Dinner. If rumours are to be believed, the Wing Commander may be a raffle prize!

During final parade Sqn Ldr Kay highlighted areas where the Squadron should look to improve, re-assuringly these were areas which the Squadron staff are already working on, including participation in the BTEC awards and First Aid training for Cadets. Despite these areas, the Wing Commander announced to the assembled Staff, Cadets and Civilian Committee that the Squadron had received the top score of 7. An excellent result. Cadet Saxton later said…

It was good to be part of the Squadron when we received a 7 on our first annual inspection from the new Wing Commander and we showed him what 967 is about.

To round off the parade, the Squadron’s Commanding Officer Flt Lt Steve Faulkner, invited the Wing Commander to carry out the promotion of our two Cadet Sergeants to the rank of Flight Sergeant. Congratulations to Cadet Flight Sergeants Ruth Haynes and Shaun Perry. You can read more here.

Flt Lt Faulkner commented…

The Annual Formal Inspection (AFI) is a very important date in the Squadron calendar. Due to the dedication of all those involved in running the Squadron the Cadet experience at 967 is positive and filled with opportunities. The Cadets have taken full advantage of those opportunities and along with a solid performance in terms of administration and training set against the very real time contrainst staff volunteers have, makes this result all the more pleasing

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At 967 this has recently been aided by the purchase of the MTa Insights package, with money raised through the work of the Cadets and civilian committee. MTa were also able to give 967 a significant discount over the list price. Using specialist leadership products will allow the Cadets of 967 to explore their leadership potential much more than has previously possible. So it’s time to stop taking and start playing…I mean start leading!

967 Squadron would like to thank MTa for their assistance. You can find out more about MTa products here.

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The promotions were carried out by Wing Commander Steve Molloy who was attending the Squadron’s Annual Formal Inspection.

Cadet Flight Sergeant Perry joined the Squadron in 2008 and has developed into a mature and respected member of the Squadron. He consistently achieves a high standard of deportment whilst still ensuring that those around him enjoy the Air Cadet experience. Shaun’s achievements stretch beyond the Squadron representing the Wing on overseas camp to RAF Akrotiri.

Cadet Flight Sergeant Haynes joined the Squadron in 2007 and has developed into a confident and valued Cadet. She’s attended a wide variety of Cadet events, including annual Camp at RAF Kinloss, adventure training camps at Halton Training Camp and the Air Cadet Adventure Training Centre Llambedr and a variety fund raising activities. Ruth has also been awarded the BTEC in Public Services.

Both of these Cadets are assets to the Squadron, Wing and Corps. Congratulations to them both.

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