CWO Laidler joined 1151 in May 2005 and after working his way through the ranks was promoted to Cadet Warrant Officer in January 2008.  During his time as CWO, Dan held the post of Training officer and then later Squadron Adjutant - both of which normally jobs carried out by Adult Staff and Officers of the RAFVR(T).

To thank CWO Laidler for his hard work and commitment to 1151’s success Flt Lt Yarrow presented CWO Laidler with a statuette to thank him on behalf of both the staff and cadets of 1151 Squadron.

CWO Laidler will be returning to the Squadron as a Civilian Instructor continuing in the role of Squadron Adjutant.

Sgt Devine was promoted to the rank of Flight Sergeant

Cpl Holland was promoted to the rank of Sergeant

Cadets; Bedigan, Masters, Woods and Haggerty were promoted to the rank of Corporal.

 Congratulations to all!

 Photographs of the promotions can be found here.

Cadets from 1151 joined in the Durham Northumberland Wing Bronze D of E expedition in Teesdale organised by Flt Lt Karin Scott, enabeling them to complete their Bronze D of E award.

 Photographs of the weekend can be found here.

Well done to all cadets who took part and to the staff who supported it!

The transport fully loaded and ready to go

It was wet but not wet enough to stop training

On arrival at Number 11 Air experience Flight the 3 Wallsend cadets along with others from Chester-le-Street, Blaydon and Durham city were welcomed by the unit commander Flt/Lt Russ Brownlow who conducted the statutory RAF Safety Briefing before introducing the Air safety Video for the two seat Tutor aircraft in which the cadets would be training.

Following the briefing and video Cadet Masters was sent to the fitting out room where he was issued with a flying suite, soft leather flying gloves and a flying helmet with an integrated voice activated communications system and lastly a custom designed cadet parachute. 

Although a little apprehensive about his first flight in a small aircraft Cadet Mathew Masters found no difficulty in clambering in to the cockpit.  30 minutes later the grin from ear to ear told everyone that Matthew had had a flight to remember.  Although it was his first flight  Mathew  had taken control of the aircraft in the air and taken his first steps in practical flying training.

Experienced flyers Michael Corness, MattyHolland undertook more advanced exercises in the air controlling the aircraft through a series of aerobatic manoeuvres such as a loop and stall turn and inverted flight.

Each Air Cadet is allocated at least one powered training flight per year and many undertake more especially if they volunteer for Glider Pilot Training.  If a cadet is good enough and is prepared to make the commitment he can be trained up to Glider Pilot Instructor level for free. The Air Training Corps also provides Microlight, Hanggliding and Parachute courses to selected cadet volunteers.

In order to achieve the prestigous award, Andrew has had to complete six modules of radio and related training which included his provisional and full Very High Frequency (VHF) operator licenses, satellite communications, advanced radio and RADAR and website design module.  These modules have equipped him with the knowledge and confidence to use all of the radio equipment used at 1151 Squadron and beyond.  Now that he is a qualified communicator, Sergeant Turnbull will also be able to deliver radio training to new cadets joining the Squadron.

He said: “I am really pleased that I have completed my Air Cadet Communicator award.  It is another item I can add to my CV for when I apply to join the Royal Air Force Regiment as an Officer!”  Flight Lieutenant Nigel Yarrow, Officer Commanding Wallsend Squadron also commented that “I am incredibly proud that Sergeant Turnbull has completed this qualification.  It is an extremely prestigous award and a first for 1151 Squadron which I hope will inspire other younger cadets to complete their radio training in the Air Training Corps”.

1151 (Wallsend) Squadron is currently recruiting for young people aged 13-17 years who  are looking to take up the challenge of being an Air Cadet.  The Squadron parades every Tuesday/Thursday at its High Street East Headquarters in Wallsend.  More information about the Squadron and the Air Cadet Organisation can be found on the units website at http://www.1151.org.uk.

The Air Cadet Squadron, located on High Street East in Wallsend, has been busily conducting active recruiting at Burnside Business and Enterprise College which is located right next to the Squadron HQ itself.  On Tuesday 17th June, two cadets and two members of staff performed an exciting presentation for the pupils of Year 9 at Burnside.  The pupils were shown a short video of some of the activities that Air Cadets get involved in and were given the chance to ask the cadets and staff questions. 

Two cadets presented to the assembly their experiences in the Air Training Corps to date.  Cadet David Carter, 14, talked about his experiences of annual camp at RAF Cranwell and the other opportunities he has had since joining the Air Cadets.  He said: “It was quite scary talking to hundreds of pupils the same age as me – I have never done that before but I think I did ok!”.

Friday 20th June saw the Squadron back at Burnside, this time speaking to Year 10 pupils in their assembly.  Once again, leaflets and magazines were distributed to the pupils who seemed to be keen to find out more about how to get involved with the Air Cadets.

The week of recruiting culiminated in an Open Evening which was held at the Squadron Headquarters on Friday 20th June.  In total, 16 enthusiastic young people (including 10 girls!) arrived at the Squadron keen to find out more.  After a presentation by the Deputy Squadron Commander, the potential cadets were taken outside for a basic leadership exercise.  Cadet James Clements, 15, took control of one of the two groups and delivered a SMEAC (Situation, Mission, Execution, Any Questions, Check Understanding) briefing to the recruits about the task they were being asked to perform.  Cadet Clements then controlled the group throughout the exercise and commented that “it is great fun talking to the new potential cadets and I loved being in charge of the leadership exercise.  I hope they all come back on Tuesday!”.

The evening finished with a quick debriefing and then the potential cadets were given the paperwork they will need to join the Squadron on the following Tuesday.  Flying Officer James Elliott, who organised the recruiting events at Burnside and the Open Evening at the Squadron Headquarters said “I was absolutely thrilled to see so many young people responding to our recruiting sessions at Burnside by coming along to the Open Evening.  I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the staff at Burnside Business and Enterprise College as well as to the cadets who spoke so brilliantly in the assemblies.  It is fantastic that someone as young as Cadet David Carter can confidently stand in front of 300 pupils and talk about what the Air Cadets has done for him so far.”

1151 (Wallsend) Squadron is always looking for enthusiastic young people to join the Squadron at any time of the year.  If you are aged between 13 and 17 and think you have what it takes to be an Air Cadet, why not come down to the Squadron to find out more (Tuesdays/Thursdays 7-9.30pm) or go to our website at http://www.1151.org.uk.

The weather forecast for Saturday 21st June was not brilliant but none the less, the cadets began setting up the Squadron compound for the car wash  early in the morning.  The idea was to bring the cars in through the front entrance, have them park at the back of the building where they would be pressure washed, sponged washed and rinsed.  Customers could then go into the Squadron HQ, have a look around the unit and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee served from the canteen.  Once washed, the cars would be moved to the front of the unit to be thoroughly dried by another group of cadets weilding chamois leathers!

After an extensive briefing on how to wash cars efficiently and effectively, the cadets started to lay out the equipment they would need for the day.  The Land Rover projects pressure washer was liberated from the garage for the task.  Only cadets who had been trained were permitted to use this powerful piece of equipment.  WO Graeme Duffy commented that “You have to be incredibly careful with this piece of kit as the pressure of the water is extremely high and a cadet could injure themselves with it if they do not know what they are doing”.

Gates opened at 9.15am and soon the first cars were pouring into the compound.  Signs were placed outside the Squadron to entice customers in to have their car washed.  Cadet Warrant Officer Daniel Laidler was responsible for the design of the signs and said: “I have done a great deal of sign writing in school, so that particular skills came in handy for this event!”.  In the first hour, the cadets had washed sufficient cars to cover the costs of the event itself and were soon starting to make a profit.  Trade really began to flow at around 11am and cars were queued up waiting to be washed and dried.]

Unfortunantely, the dreaded weather closed in at around 12.30pm and stopped play.  However, in the three short hours that the car wash was open, the cadets managed to raise over £150 in profit!  Flying Officer James Elliott organised the event and said “I am thrilled that we have managed to make such a significant profit in a few short hours.  The cadets and staff worked incredibly hard to get this event off of the ground and I am very pleased with them all.  Bring on July and a sunny day so we can make even more money!  The people of Wallsend have been incredibly enthusiastic about the car wash and generous in their donations.  Many commented how wonderful it was to see young people doing something constructive with in their community!”.

1151 (Wallsend) Squadron will be running another car wash on 12th July and 9th August 2008.  Both events will open from 9am-5pm at the Squadron HQ on High Street East.

All of the funds raised during this event will go to 1151 (Wallsend) Squadron and will help support the wide array of events and activities that the cadets become involved in.  If you are aged 13-17 and think you have what it takes to be an Air Cadet, why not come to the Squadron HQ on High Street East, Tuesdays/Thursdays at 7pm and let us show you why you should join the Air Cadets! 

 

1151 (Wallsend) Squadron will be holding an open evening on 20th June 2008 at 7.30p-9pm.

New recruits and parents are more than welcome!

Come down and see why you should join the ATC!  Find out about the activities and ask as many questions as you like!

Any questions to 1151@aircadets.org

Flt Lt Yarrow joined the Air Training Corps at 1027 (Jarrow) Squadron in 1964 and was commissioned into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Training) branch in 1970.   He transferred to 361 (Gateshead) Squadron in 1978 where he assumed the position of Deputy Squadron Commander.  IN 1983, he was posted to 861 (Wideopen) Squadron where he assumed command of the unit as Commanding Officer.  1985 saw a move to 1151 (Wallsend) Squadron as Deputy Squadron Commander and in 1997, he assumed command of Wallsend Squadron. 

Flt Lt Yarrow is the first officer in Durham/Northumberland Wing to complete 40 years continueous service as an Adult Member of Staff.  Nigel was awarded his Cadet Forces Medal, or CFM, in 1980 for 12 years service.  In 1988 he was awarded his first clasp to his CFM, then his second in 1996 and his third in 2002.  Six years later he was awarded with his Gold clasp to his CFM for 40 years continuous service.

Flt Lt Yarrow said: “I am thrilled to recieve this prestigeous award in recognition of my 40 years service.  A lot has changed in the Air Training Corps over the past four decades but I am pleased to see that the old values still apply.  The Air Cadets still provides excellent opportunities for young people across the whole nation and North Tyneside.  The strength of the Corps is that the cadets and the staff that I have had the pleasure to serve with.”

Flt Lt Yarrow is a qualified Basic Expedition Leader and First Aider at Work.  His main interests within the Air Cadets revolve around adventure training, navigation, fieldcraft/military skills as well as leading a dynamic and varied group of enthusiastic staff.  Nigel is a Head of Year  11 at Jarrow Community High School, is married to Christine and has one daughter, Emily who is aged 22 and is a student.