2344 (Longbenton) Sqn

Dining-In Night.mp4

Band Performance Dates

 

Sunday 29^th April - St George's Parade

Monday 4^th June - HM the Queen's Diamond Jubilee

Friday 15^th June - TBC

Sunday 17^th June - Region Competition

Thursday 21^st June - House Band for "It's A Knock-out"

Saturday 30^th June - Royal British Legion Tattoo

Saturday 7^th July - Celebration

 

Saturday 14^th July - Percy Hedley Summer Fair

Friday 14^th September - House Band - "Alternative Business Olympics"

 

Planning Meeting

April: Wednesday 18^th

 

Training Day

June: Sunday 3rd

 

Training Day

June: Sunday 24^th

 

Practice Expedition

July: Friday 20^th - Sunday 22^nd

 

 

Assessed Expedition

August: Monday 27^th - Friday 31^st 

 

 

March

 

Saturday 3^rd - Gliding Induction Course

Saturday 10^th - Full band practice

Saturday 17^th - Sunday 18^th - Young Lifesavers Award

Tuesday 20^th - Lord Lieutenant's Presentation Evening

Saturday 24^th - Navigation Training

Sunday 25^th - Sports Relief

Saturday 31^st - Pre CWO Course

 

April

 

Sunday 1^st - Pre CWO Course

Friday 6^th - Team LB Session

Saturday 7^th - Bagpack

Saturday 7^th - Saturday 14^th - Music Tatoo

Sunday 22^nd - Athletics Competition

Friday 27^th - Inter-Flt Competition

Friday 27^th - Sunday 29^th - JNCO Course

 

May

 

Monday 14^th - Aviation Studies Examinations

Friday 18^th - Sunday 20^th - JNCO Course

Sunday 20^th - Competitions Day

 

June

 

Friday 1^st - Sunday 3^rd - JNCO Course

Tuesday 12^th - Wing Commander's Inspection

Friday 15^th - Olympic Torch Relay

Friday 15^th - Sunday 17^th - JNCO Course

Sunday 17^th - Regional Competitions Day

Thursday 21^st - "It's a Knockout" band performance

Saturday 30^th - Music Tattoo

 

 

Air cadets from Longbenton enjoyed a leadership exercise with a twist as they took charge of their squadron for an evening.

As part of the leadership development programme; the cadets have been learning about different leadership styles and through various leadership tasks; they have gained a practical insight into the importance of communication skills, organisational skills and management and supervision techniques.

The recent role reversal exercise - codenamed Operation Reversy Percy - saw the cadets swap ranks for the evening. "The exercise allowed young people to take on and enjoy responsibility in a structured setting" said Commanding Officer, Flight Lieutenant Gary Richardson. "It enabled our youngest cadets to experience what it's like being a non-commissioned officer (NCO) and the various duties that entails, and it also allowed our older teenagers to be challenged by taking on adult staff roles and responsibilities;" added Gary.

For Cadet Daniel Dotchin, 17 of Benton, it saw him become the Commanding Officer. "It was very enjoyable and really good fun but it was equally demanding and involved a lot of hard work with so much to do and in so little time. It has helped me understand what leadership is all about," said Daniel.

Ross Baptist, 14 of Longbenton Community College, became a Cadet Corporal for the evening. Ross said, "I never realised how much responsibility corporals have so it was a bit of a shock, but I'm pleased that I did well and I am aiming to become an NCO in the future - it was so much fun!"

Whilst the exercise was underway, another exercise too had to be undertaken by the Training and Development Officer for the evening, Christopher Wilson, 18, of Wallsend. Christopher explained "Whilst the rank structure had been re-arranged, I was responsible for running a series of mini-leadership tasks that mirrored the experiences of those who had extra responsibilities for Reversy Percy. The leadership tasks went really well but it was difficult to just oversee them rather than leading them," added Christopher.

"The training exercise went very well with everyone gaining something from the experience and we now look forward to engaging in our next leadership session which is based upon the TV challenge show The Crystal Maze!" said Gary.

Young air cadets from Longbenton joined veteran's, serving personnel, their loved ones, dignitaries, and the local community to remember those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

The cadets joined North Tyneisde MPs, Mary Glindon and Alan Campbell and Elected Mayor, Linda Arkley at the Jigsaw War Memorial in Killingworth to mark Armistace Day on 11 November before parading through the streets of Forest Hall and Benton on Remembrance Day.

This year's commerative events meant that little bit more to the youngsters, who have recently welcomed home from Afghanistan injured in action, ex-cadet and George Stephenson High School student, Duran Dawson, 21. The cadets have also been learning about the experiences of pilot and navigator, John Peters and John Nichol who were shot down in the first Gulf War.

Squadron Commanding Officer, Flight Lieutenant Gary Richardson said; "Welcoming home Duran has provided the cadets with a front line understanding of the sacrifices and consequences of war; and how that impacts upon families and life here in the UK."

The cadets have also been supporting this year's Poppy Appeal in support of the Royal British Legion. "The Poppy Appeal and Remembrance Parades let us show our appreciation and respect to those that paid the ultimate sacrifice and their families, and to say thank you to current personnel too" said Zack Wylie, 15, who laid the squadron's wreath during the Remembrance Service.

"They are all an example of courage and bravery and we have learnt a lot over recent weeks about that and how important it is to trust each other," added Hardit Parmar, 17.

We will be marking Remembrance Sunday with two events this year:

1) Act of Remembrance - 11 November 2011 at the Jigsaw War Memorial at 1015am.

2) Remembrance Sunday Parade - 13 November 2011 at 10am

2344 Squadron welcomes anyone who would like to join us on these dates.  Please contact us for further information (2344@aircadets.org)

1. Operation Shine on Friday 10 June 2011

2. Regional Band Competition on Sunday 12 June 2011

3. Volunteer's & Carer's Garden Party on Wednesday 22 June 2011

4. Armed Forces day at Newbiggin-by-the-Sea on Sunday 10 July 2011

 

 

 

To celebrate 70 years of the Air Cadet Organisation, 2344 (Longbenton) Squadron is holding a reunion for former cadets and staff of the squadron.

2011 marks 70 years since the air cadet movement first began in order to train young men to fly and maintain aircraft during the Second World War.

Today's air cadet organisation is quite different, having evolved into a unique voluntary youth organisation, offering young people opportunities to develop themselves, try new adventures and activities, and learn key lessons in citizenship and the importance of society.

The former members and their families are welcome to attend the event at the Squadron Headquarters on Marquis Close, Benton, from 6:00pm on Saturday 25 June 2011. In addition, ex-service personnel who served at R.A.F. Longbenton - the squadron being situated on the site of the old base - are also welcome to attend.  Squadron boss, Flight Lieutenant Gary Richardson said, "We are celebrating serving our community over decades and I think it appropriate that we invite everyone from across the years to join our celebrations." "It would be superb if we can have people there spanning across each decade," Gary added.

PCs Sarah Reveley, Kay Lyon and CSO Tim Cousins attended our parade night and discussed issues including personal safety.

PC Reveley said: "We've built up a strong link with these teenagers as our officers regularly call in to talk to the young people.  This time we had a wide ranging discussion about how young people need to think about their safety and take responsibility for the consequences of their actions.  "We had good feedback from the squadron who took part in this lively debate.  These types of visits provide a good opportunity for officers to get to know people of all ages in our area and listen to the issues that matter to them."

Squadron commanding officer, Flight Lieutenant Gary Richardson said: "The support from our community officers has helped the squadron and the cadets develop over the past year. This debate focused upon consequences and assisted the young people with not only their citizenship training, but also leadership development, to help the youngsters learn to be responsible young adults."

Cadet James Nealings, 15 of Westmoore, said "The debate was good fun and it made us realise that all of our actions and decisions have consequences, both good and bad, but not just for us for others around us too."