HOME 2425 Squadron
Please Use Easyfundraising To Help Our Squadron
Raise donations for 2425 Nottingham Airport SQN ATC whenever you shop online via this link: https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/2425sqn/
October Update
October 2020
Like Royal Air Force Air Cadet Squadrons across the nation we have continued to run online virtual parades for our cadets throughout this unprecedented period. Now we have reached six months as a Squadron in lockdown it is worth reviewing the activities and achievements during this period.
Throughout lockdown the Cadets have benefitted from a number of guest speakers. We were privileged to hear twice from retired Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Andrew Pulford, GCB, CBE, ADC. We were also joined by Red Arrow pilot and current Blades display pilot Mike Ling. Later the cadets spent a virtual evening in the inspirational presence of broadcaster, pilot and former Royal Marine Commando Arthur Williams. We also heard from a number of operational RAF pilots and senior personnel, airline pilots and an introduction to British Sign Language.
During this period the cadets have undertaken various activities on their own initiative, from litter picking in their community, to fundraising in aid of Nottingham Hospitals Child bereavement and making cookies and scrubs wash bags for our local NHS staff.
We’ve continued the traditional Air Cadet activity of aeromodelling and built a Squadron of Supermarine Spitfires and Red Arrow Hawk’s.
The Squadron also put together a fun online video (https://www.facebook.com/920730977954162/videos/2687678211511032)
which was widely shared and received thousands of views.
2020 Update
Our Squadron has continued to operate throughout the lockdown providing activities and training to young people in our communities. Of course, all actual face to face activities and parades have ceased, but using imagination and everyday technology we have continued in the best traditions of the corps.
We have maintained our weekly parades, but instead of meeting at our HQ these have been undertaken through linking up via computer and smart phones. In this way we have provided a variety of activities in virtual evening parades. We have run quizzes, lessons, PT sessions and Aircraft Recognition training.
Most recently the cadets received a presentation in deaf awareness and introduction to British Sign Language. We additionally invited cadets from across the Wing to take part in this parade and were joined on the night by cadets from a number of other squadrons. The cadets were taught to sign their own names, introduce themselves and the signs for family members.
The cadets have also undertaken aero modelling, with the staff producing tutorial videos to help many who have never built a plastic model kit before. We started with a simple Supermarine Spitfire and for the second build the cadets have moved onto a tougher RAF Red Arrows Hawk.
More photos click 'Read Full Article'
Sutton Bonnington Dual Role For 2425
We had a dual role at the Sutton Bonnington Village Fete again with the cadets assisting the fete by helping to park vehicles. Additionally we brought a full size glider to sit by our PR stand. Cadets helped dozens of children in getting to grips with a real aircraft and awarding all with their "wings" stickers.
Strong Fourth in Wing Swimming
We entered strong teams in this year's Wing Swimming event at Harvey Haddon Stadium.
Final results were:
Junior Boys: 2nd Place (1 point behind 1st Place)
Junior Girls: 5th Place (2 points behind 4th place and 8 points behind 3rd
place)
Senior Boys: 2nd Place (3 points behind 1st Place)
Overall, the Squadron finished in 4th place only 3 points behind 3rd place.
Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Achievement Despite Poor Weather
After a number of training walks around the East Leake area thirteen cadets completed their Bronze D of E Expedition in the Vale of Belvoir during the last weekend in September. They faced heavy rain overnight and all of Sunday but they were undaunted and their spirits remained high.
Sad Death of Flt Lt Ted Atkins
Flt Lt Ted Atkins
It is with extreme sadness that we report the death of our good friend and Air Cadet colleague Flt Lt Ted Atkins, who was tragically killed in the Dolomite mountains doing what he loved most of all, mountaineering.
Ted was an ex-RAF Officer who started out as a cadet with 2425 Squadron. Ted paid us regular visits over more than forty years, giving inspirational talks to our cadets, who loved hearing tales of his time as RAF Mountain Rescue leader, his stories of his daring expeditions on Everest and more recently his record-breaking skydiving activities.
Ted developed the TopOut oxygen system for climbers, skydivers and the military. This system dramatically reduced the number of deaths on Everest.
We will miss his impromptu visits and his enthusiasm for inspiring our young cadets. He will be sadly missed by us all and we send sincere condolences to Ted’s family.
Ted’s spirit and attitude to life could be summed up in one line from a recent interview he gave. “What do we leave behind, did we make anything better?”. He truly did.
Our Squadron is the Pride of Rushcliffe
What an absolutely great night for 2425 (Nottingham Airport) Squadron at the Pride of Rushcliffe Awards. Facing tough competition the Squadron took away the first prize in the Supporting Young People Award category in recognition of the work of the Squadron in supporting young people and providing varied and exciting activities, experiences and training. In accepting the award on behalf of the Squadron Flying Officer McLoughlin recognized that we were very proud to have won in this category and against such worthy runners up. This award is not just for the staff, but for the cadets and their achievements which make it all worth while.The opportunities and training available at 2425 is mirrored across the country in hundreds of Air Cadet units and from thousands of adult volunteers. To quote the Air Cadet hashtag it's 'WHAT WE DO'. CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS.
Cadet Talent Celebrated at Presentation Evening
The Victorious Swimming Team Collect Their Awards and 2425 Towels!
On Friday 10th March one of the highlights of 2425 Squadron’s year took place at The Nottinghamshire Golf & Country Club. Its annual Presentation Evening was attended by more than one hundred guests including cadets, parents, staff, committee and local dignitaries. Attendees enjoyed a three course meal which was then followed by the awards ceremony itself, presided over by Wing Commander Stuart McNeill MBE from Air Cadets HQ at RAF Cranwell.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE: Cadet Talent Celebrated at Presentation Evening
The View Changes But We Do Not!
Big changes continue to happen around us at the airfield. The photo shows the demolition of the hangar as part of the major redevelopment of the airfield. Some things don't change. Flying, sport, swimming, BTEC, D of E, adventure training, shooting, parading, drill, music, walking, camping in the UK and overseas, canoeing, sailing, parachuting, remote control flying, etc, etc, etc. The Royal Air Force Air Cadets. 76 years young and still going from strength to strength. Contact us today to join.
Gradbach Camp 2016
Click the image to see all photos
In late November, our annual camp took place at Gradbach in Staffordshire based in the large farmhouse owned by the Scout Association. We travelled on the Friday evening and on arrival we had tea and then had our camp briefing.
Cadets can take to the sky with RAF Association Flying Scholarships
Six exceptional young people will get the chance to fly thanks to the Royal Air Forces Association’s Flying Scholarships programme.
The Flying Scholarship programme runs annually as a thank you to members of the Air Cadet Organisation (ACO), which includes the Air Training Corps (ATC) and the Combined Cadet Force (RAF), Girls Venture Corps Air Cadets (GVCAC) and Air Scouts/Air Explorer Scouts for their continuous support to the Association.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE: Cadets can take to the sky with RAF Association Flying Scholarships
2425 Modellers Set For World Record
On 20th November 2016, 2425 Cadets, Staff and Comittee took part in a Guiness World Record attempt at the most aircraft modellers building kits at one time in one place. This record attempt took place at The Shuttleworth Collection, Old Warden in Bedfordshire. Click the above image to see all photos from the event. We will publish an update when the record is verified.
Raise Money For Us - Free, No Catch!
Christmas shopping? Donate to 2425 Squadron as you shop online with Easyfundrasiing!
Remembrance Sunday 2016
2425 Squadron led the parade at Tollerton on 13/11/2016. A service followed the parade, in the church, followed by a memorial service at the War Memorial.
Poppy Appeal Street Collection Ruddington
2425 Squadron Staff and Cadets in front of the Church at Ruddington (12/11/2016). Collecting for the Poppy Appeal on behalf of the Royal British Legion Ruddington Branch.
Poppy Appeal 2016 Launch
2425 Are Swimming Champs!
The 2425 Squadron swimming team has won the South and East Midlands Wing inter squadron swimming competition held at Nottingham University, beating 28 other Squadrons from around the Midlands area.
Llanbedr Camp Report
Twenty Eight Cadets from South and East Midlands Wing Air Cadets, have just completed a week long outdoor activity camp at the National Air Cadet Adventure Training Centre, Llanbedr, in Wales.
Ted Pays Us a Visit
Ex-2425 Squadron Cadet, Ted Atkins, recently gave an impromptu talk on Skydiving, the latest of his many adventurous activities.
75th Anniversary Flagship Event RAF Cranwell
This flagship event celebrated the 75th Anniversary of the formation of the Air Training Corps and took place at RAF Cranwell on August 13th.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE: 75th Anniversary Flagship Event RAF Cranwell
Rempstone 2016
Bisley Inter Service Cadet Rifle Meeting
A team of Cadets, led by Staff member Sgt (ATC) Ben Walden, entered the prestigious 4 day Inter-Services Cadet Rifle Meet, taking on other Air Cadets, Sea Cadets and Army Cadets.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE: Bisley Inter Service Cadet Rifle Meeting
Three Airfields Walk
Health and Safety Award
Annually every Squadron in the country undergoes a detailed Health and Safety inspection. Sgt (ATC) Ben Walden proudly holds the gold certificate we have just been awarded.
NCO Awards
Three cadets from 2425 Sqn have recently completed NCO course. Cpl Scully has completed his Cadet Drill Instructor course which is designed to train cadets in the theory and practice of parade drill. Cpl Woodier has passed his initial NCO course which provisions those with leadership potential with the basic skills they might require to be an effect NCO and lead teams of cadets. Flt Sgt Hinchley has passed his Advance NCO course which is an opportunity for more experienced NCOs to do some personal development training and is now a prerequisite for attaining the rank of Cadet Warrant Officer.
2425 Staff Pay Their Respects in Belgium
As a military-style organisation we have a lot of empathy with the armed services and an interest in military history. Recently four staff from 2425 Squadron visited Belgium to plan a potential future visit by the cadets and toured various important war sites and memorials.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE: 2425 Staff Pay Their Respects in Belgium
1st Birthday Article
In our 75th year we thought it would be interesting to share the front page from the Air Training Corps Gazette from February 1942 on the 1st birthday of the Corps.
Presentation Evening March 2016
Click the above image to see all photos from the night
It was the event we had all been waiting for! Cadets, Staff and Committee celebrated their fantastic achievements over the past year.
Want To Be An Airline Pilot? Join The ACO!
Want to be a commercial airline pilot? Join the ACO!
On Saturday 31st October one of the Squadrons officers attended a careers event with CTC Aviation.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE: Want To Be An Airline Pilot? Join The ACO!
