News Archive

Gliding Induction Courses

Four Cadets from 361 Squadron recently completed Gliding Induction Courses at 645 Volunteer Gliding Squadron at RAF Topcliffe. Pictured (from left to right) is Cadet McTeer who completed his second GIC and Cadets Thompson and Slater who completed their their first GIC. Not pictured is Cadet Gifford who also completed his first GIC.

Click here for much more information on Gliding Induction Courses. 
(6 March 2006)

Rising in the Ranks

Three 361 Squadron Cadets, were recently promoted to Corporal and two from Corporal to Sergeant.

Pictured from left to right are newly promoted Sergeants Wallace and Hodgson and Corporals Robson, Rudge and Hutchinson.

You can find more information on the Air Cadet rank structure here.  (6 March 2006)

Gliding Courses

New page added with information on gliding courses. Click here to view.

Aircraft Recognition Competition Success

361 Squadron's Aircraft Recognition Team triumphed in the recent Durham/Northumberland Wing competition.

Corporal Hodgson won the individual competition and the squadron team came second overall. During this competition, a total of 30 pictures of aircraft are projected for just 2 seconds each and cadets only have 10 seconds to write down their answers before the next picture is shown.

Cpl Hodgson beat the next highest scoring competitor by a clear margin of 4 points and is seen being presented with the individual trophy by Sqn Ldr Miller, a Durham/Northumberland Wing Staff Officer. 

Cpl Hodgson will now represent Durham/Northumberland Wing in the North Region competition.

The other two members of the squadron team were Cpl Robson and Cadet Moffitt. (28 September 2005)

Air Experience Flyers

Corporals Hodgson and Wallace, and Cadet Gallant from 361 Squadron all went flying in Tutor aircraft at RAF Leeming on Saturday, 17th September.

During their flights all cadets had the opportunity to take the controls of the aircraft and also perform some aerobatics.

Seven more cadets will go flying in October. 

From left to right: Cpl Wallace, Cpl Hodgson and Cdt Gallant 
(28 September 2005)

Gliding "High Flyers"

Three cadets from 361 Squadron completed Gliding Induction Courses (GICs) at 645 Gliding School at RAF Topcliffe on Sunday, 28th August.

Pictured from left to right are Cadets Louca, Bell and Gallant who all took control of the Vigilant motor glider and learnt about the effects of controls during their flights with a qualified instructor. (28 August 2005)

361 Squadron Forum now on line

The new 361 squadron forum is now on line. You can access the forum from the left navigation menu or by clicking here.

All contributions welcome! (24 August 2005)

VJ Day Party

The squadron recently held a VJ Day party organised by Flt Sgt Amy Pooley.

Period fancy dress was encouraged and Cadet Hall was judged the winner of the competition. Flt Sgt Pooley prepared a selection of 1940's food, Big Band music played in the background and a good time was had by all.

Pictured are some of the fancy dress entries, with Cdt Hall second on the left and Flt Sgt Pooley third from the left, both on the front row. (22 August 2005)

Summer Camp 2005

361 Squadron cadets recently returned from Summer Camp at RAF Halton. Whilst at camp, our cadets participated in a wide range of activities including flying in Tutor aircraft, a night exercise, a visit to Duxford air museum, tenpin bowling, shooting, section visits and much, much more.

The photograph shows 361 Squadron cadets and staff, and also those from all the other squadrons who attended camp in the same week. (22 August 2005)

Promotions

Congratulations to Cadets Hodgson, Morrison and Wallace, on their recent promotion to the rank of Corporal. 

Pictured from left to right, Cpl Morrison, Cpl Wallace and Cpl Hodgson. (22 August 2005)

Top Shot

Cdt Lynch from 361 Squadron is officially the best shot in Durham/Northumberland Wing, having scored 97 points in the wing shooting competition from a possible maximum of 100, and winning both a Gold medal for his individual achievement and also a Bronze medal in the team competition.

Pictured on the right are three of the four members of the 361 Squadron shooting team. From left to right are CWO Elliott, Cdt Lynch and Cdt Wallace. The fourth member of the squadron team, Cdt Simpson is not pictured. (24 April 2005)

Gliding Induction Courses

Four 361 Squadron cadets recently completed Gliding Induction Courses at 645 VGS based at RAF Topcliffe.

Each cadet received instruction on flying the Vigilant self launching glider, in flights ranging from 20 to 30 minutes in length.

Pictured from left to right, are Cadets Wilkinson, Dixon, Hudson and Moffitt. (24 April 2005)

361 Squadron Cadets selected to attend Cyprus Camp

Sergeant Adam Rewcastle and Flight Sergeant Amy Pooley from 361 Squadron have both been selected to attend a two week long Easter Camp at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.

RAF Akrotiri is one of the largest bases in the RAF, and Adam and Amy will have the opportunity to see operations at the station from close quarters as well as participating in a wide range of other activities. As RAF Akrotiri is also used by the RAF Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, every year for their display work up, they may get the opportunity of a daily air display from the "Reds" during their time at camp!  (Article updated on 19 February 2005)

361 Cadets awarded Marksmanship Awards

Three cadets from 361 Squadron recently qualified for Marksmanship Awards for their target rifle shooting skills,

Cdt Neil Morrison and Cdt Lewis Kirkup were both awarded a Squadron Marksman Badge, and Cdt Christopher Moffitt qualified for the next level of award, the Wing Marksman Badge.

Target rifle shooting is a popular activity at 361 Squadron and these three cadets are the latest of many who have been awarded marksmanship awards.

More information on shooting in the ATC is available here. (13 February 2005)

Air Cadet Pilot Navigation Training Scheme

Cadet Warrant Officer David Elliott has recently been selected for a place on the Air Cadet Pilot Navigation Training Scheme.

David will receive a number of hours training in air navigation, including practical exercises in Grob Tutor aircraft, where he will tell the pilot where to go (politely of course!) and successful completion of this course will result in the award of the Air Cadet Pilot Air Navigator Badge.

This is the first time that a cadet from 361 Squadron has been awarded a place on this scheme. (13 February 2005)

Wing Rugby Blue and Regional Team Selection

Cadet Jamie Hutchinson from 361 Squadron has recently qualified for a Durham / Northumberland Wing Blue for representing the wing in the North Region Junior Rugby competition which was recently held at RAF Linton-on-Ouse. 

Jamie has also been selected to play in the regional team so will also qualify for a North Region Blue. (13 February 2005)

Regional Blue Awarded to 361 Squadron Cadet

Cadet Warrant Officer David Elliott has added a North Region Blue to his growing collection of awards.

A Regional Blue is awarded for representing the Region in a sporting, or other competition, and CWO Elliot gained this award by participating in the cross country competition where his team finished in third position overall. (28 January 2005)

Location of Summer Camps Announced

Summer Camp in 2005 for 361 Squadron will be at RAF Halton, near Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire.

RAF Halton is one of the Royal Air Force's most historic stations having first been used by the Royal Flying Corps in 1913, and is built on land that was once one of the estates owned by Alfred Rothschild, of the famous banking family. (The Officer's Mess at RAF Halton is the mansion built by the Rothschild's in the style of a French chateaux.)

Halton is now one of the Royal Air Force's main training establishments, and provides a wide range of courses including Basic Recruit  and Trade Training.  (22 January 2005)

Guestbook added to 361 Squadron Web Site

The 361 (Gateshead) Squadron web site now has a Guestbook.

The guestbook can be accessed by clicking here and all contributions from our visitors are welcome. Tell us what you think about our site, or simply share your general views about the ATC with other visitors.  (28 December 2004)

New 361 Squadron Web Site launched!

The new 361 (Gateshead) Squadron web site went live on Wednesday, 22nd December 2004.

The site is packed with information about the Air Cadet Organisation, and 361 Squadron in particular and includes full contact information for Gateshead's highest flying organisation for young people. (22 December 2004)

361 Squadron Cadets awarded Wing Blues

Three cadets from 361 (Gateshead) Squadron were recently presented with Durham/Northumberland Wing Blue awards for being chosen to represent the wing in the North Region Cross-Country and Rugby competitions.

Cadet Warrant Officer David Elliott and Sergeant Amy Pooley were both selected for the wing Cross-Country teams, whilst Corporal Adam Rewcastle played in the senior rugby competition.

CWO Elliott's team won their event, (which was against the other five wings in the region) so he was also awarded with a Gold Medal for his part in the team's success. (22 December 2004)