Latest News

𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐌 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐄 📐

Our cadets recently took part in a STEM challenge, which seen them using marshmallows and dry spaghetti to construct a free standing house or tower!

The cadets in their teams, had 30 minutes to construct the tallest and most stable tower possible with what they were provided, which proved to have some real competition!

STEM is involved with a lot more everyday activities than you may think, and in the RAFAC, we use it almost daily.

This was a greatly executed challenge enjoyed by all!

Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Durham Northumberland Wing Air Cadets
North Region – Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Regional Commandant North – Air Cadets
Commandant Air Cadets
North of England RFCA
Richard Holden MP

𝐁𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐙𝐄 𝐑𝐎𝐀𝐃 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆 🟤

Over 40 cadets from Durham and Northumberland Wing took recently took part in a Bronze Road Marching qualification, this included 3 cadets from 1409.

To qualify, the cadets had to complete two consecutive road marches of 20km each.

On Day 1, the cadets marched from Blaydon to Consett and on Day 2 they marched from Consett to Broom Park.

Well done to all those who passed this event and thanks to Flt Lt Tom Pollitt, the regional road marching office for presenting the hard earned badges!

Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Durham Northumberland Wing Air Cadets
North Region – Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Regional Commandant North – Air Cadets
Commandant Air Cadets
North of England RFCA
Richard Holden MP

𝐅𝐈𝐄𝐋𝐃𝐂𝐑𝐀𝐅𝐓 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 🌳

Having recently completed a Fieldcraft Instructors course, both Flt Lt Gilmour and FS Hamilton have been delivering Fieldcraft training to the whole Squadron.

Initially starting at a basic level of kit preparation and learning about why things are seen, the cadets will advance onto further subjects such as building improvised shelters, fire control orders, duties of a sentry and patrols.

Once we have covered the basics on a Squadron level, we will look to utilize a larger training area in Knitsley for subjects which will require the cadets to be outdoors in a larger area.

This is the first of many sessions to come!

Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Durham Northumberland Wing Air Cadets
North Region – Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Regional Commandant North – Air Cadets
Commandant Air Cadets
North of England RFCA
Richard Holden MP

𝐎𝐂’𝐒 𝐈𝐍𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 🔍

We recently held an OC’s inspection evening, where OC 1409, had the opportunity to speak to all of the cadets, inspect their uniforms alongside the Squadron Warrant Officer, and finally present some awards at the end of the evening.

The most important of these awards, were received by our junior cadets who have all now qualified as ‘First Class Cadets’.

To qualify as a First Class Cadet, cadets must complete training in 7 mandatory subjects and attain a basic standard of foot drill. This is designed to give cadets a good level of general knowledge about the RAFAC and the RAF. It also introduces the fundamental principles and skills cadets will need during their time as an Air Cadet.

Very well done to all on your achievements!

Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Durham Northumberland Wing Air Cadets
North Region – Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Regional Commandant North – Air Cadets
Commandant Air Cadets
North of England RFCA
Richard Holden MP
Everyone

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐎𝐘𝐀𝐋 𝐀𝐈𝐑 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐂𝐄 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐒 𝟏𝟎𝟔 𝐘𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐒 𝐓𝐎𝐃𝐀𝐘! ✈️

𝐀𝐈𝐑 𝐀𝐌𝐁𝐔𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐈𝐓 🚁

1409 Recently had the pleasure of hosting the Great North Air Ambulance Service for a talk and presentation about what they do.

The GNAAS provide life-saving, critical care services by air and road across the North East, Cumbria, North Yorkshire and the Isle of Man. They receive no government funding, and are entirely funded by the generosity of the public.

GNAAS plays an integral role in the regional response to a major incident, working closely with the North East Ambulance Service to provide advanced medical care to those who need it at the scene. But the charity is also involved in both regional and national groups looking at the operational, tactical and strategic implications of major incidents and the optimal way of managing these.

Thank you for taking the time to visit us, our cadets thoroughly enjoyed it!

Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Durham Northumberland Wing Air Cadets
North Region – Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Regional Commandant North – Air Cadets
Commandant Air Cadets
North of England RFCA
Richard Holden MP
Everyone

𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐃𝐀𝐘❗

Please note, the Squadron will be stood down on Good Friday (29th March) and Easter Monday (1st April) to allow our cadets and staff to spend time with their families.

Please do not attend the Squadron on these dates.

Parade nights will resume as normal on Friday 5th April with No. 2C Working Dress as the uniform.

Thank you for your continued support!

𝐘𝐎𝐑𝐊𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐄 𝐀𝐈𝐑 𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐄𝐔𝐌 ✈️

The Squadron recently hosted a trip to the Yorkshire Air Museum, placing the first of many miles on our new Squadron Owned Vehicle!

Yorkshire Air Museum, is the UK’s largest independent aviation museum, on the former site of RAF Elvington, a World War II bomber base.

The Museum sits on the former site of Bomber Command Station RAF Elvington. This station was typical of the many which were dotted around the whole of Britain during World War Two. Over 30 airfields were in operation within the York area alone.

We hope to arrange many more visits in the months to come, so keep your eyes on cadet portal for further upcoming events!

Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Durham Northumberland Wing Air Cadets
North Region – Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Regional Commandant North – Air Cadets
Commandant Air Cadets
North of England RFCA
Richard Holden MP
Everyone

𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐈𝐓 🚒

Recently, the entire Squadron was invited to attend Consett Fire Station to gain an insight of the Equipment they use and the events which they respond to.

All of the cadets had the chance to don the protective equipment the fire service uses daily, and explore the fire appliances, as well as take part in various team activities and the evening was concluded with a talk from the station staff.

Many thanks to Consett Fire Station for hosting us, and we hope to see you all again soon!

Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Durham Northumberland Wing Air Cadets
North Region – Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Regional Commandant North – Air Cadets
Commandant Air Cadets
North of England RFCA
Richard Holden MP

𝐖𝐄𝐀𝐏𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆 💥

Over the course of 2 days, cadets from 1409 have undertaken weapons handling and live firing on the L144 Cadet Small Bore Target Rifle.

Travelling to Wing HQ at Gosforth, day one seen our cadets undertaking training to safely handle the weapon system, and how to react to range orders. This is then culminated into a weapons handling test, to ensure our cadets understand the correct way of safely handling the rifle.

On the second day, the cadets had the opportunity to live fire the rifle on the indoor 15 meter range.

These skills can now be brought back to the Squadron and used on our very own 25 meter range!

Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Durham Northumberland Wing Air Cadets
North Region – Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Regional Commandant North – Air Cadets
Commandant Air Cadets
North of England RFCA
Richard Holden MP
Everyone