Whilst other teenagers have been having a relaxing summer holiday, a team of teenagers from 346 (Tynemouth) Squadron have succeeded in completing a gruelling trek through the Swiss Alps.

Local air cadets put their first aid training into practice recently during a training exercise.

A local lad has followed in his grandfather's footsteps by joining the air training corps.

Air Cadets from Tynemouth have swapped their blue berets for green ones this week, when they trained with the Royal Marines.

Air Cadets from Tynemouth Squadron have supported a veteran's open day at Rothbury House in Northumberland.

A local air cadet from 346 (Tynemouth) Squadron has appointed as Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant's cadet for 2009.

Cadet Flight Sergeant Chris Johnston (17), from Tynemouth received his award awards from Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant Nigel Sherlock OBE KStJ at a ceremony at Dykelands TA Centre in Sunderland.

Air cadets from Tynemouth Squadron have won the prestigious Cadets Cup for a record-breaking collection in last November's poppy appeal.

Wing Commdander John Knowles AE RAFVR(T) R'TD has been awarded the Air Officer Commanding No 22 Group's Commendation in the 2008 New Year's Honours.

A group of young people from Tynemouth swapped their school uniforms for flying suits and took to the sky this week.

A group of air cadets from Tyneside have been involved in a dramatic mountain rescue in the French Pyrenees.

The team of 6 cadets and 2 staff were taking part in a weeks adventure training in the eastern Pyrenees under the leadership of their commanding officer, flight lieutenant Will Close-Ash. For Will, this was his first time leading a group as a newly qualified IML.
The team came across the 7 stricken Belgian walkers whilst out on day walk near the mountain, Pic du Canigou (2784m).

photo: Dominic Jones watches over a casualty
Corporal Dominic Jones (17), from Holy Stone was one of the first cadets on the scene. "We were just out enjoying the mountain scenery when I spotted blood on the mountain slopes 300m in front of us. The commanding officer (CO) and I quickly moved up the slope to investigate and we found two men lying in the snow, covered in blood."

In fact, the men were part of a 7 man team that had come over the summit, but had fallen due to the icy conditions on the slopes. With two of their friends lying at the foot of 1000 foot ice slope, the other Belgian had no other choice but to call in mountain rescue and remain where they were. They didn't realise that Will and his team where in the area.

Dominic, a student at St Thomas More High School in North Shields continues the story. "While the CO and I got to work on the casualties, our other member of staff, pilot officer Emma Stewart brought two other cadets up to assist us. We just put into practice the first aid skills that we'd learned as part of our training."

For young pilot officer Emma Stewart, it was the first time she'd had to use her first aid skills. "We quickly assessed each causality and found that one man had broken ribs and a suspected punctured lung, the second man had a fractured arm. Both men were bleeding heavily from their heads and other parts of their bodies. We used three first aid kits patching them up!"

Once the two casualties were stable, the team had to decide what to do about the remaining stricken walkers.

"Our immediate concern was the casualties. Having been in the snow for over 30 minutes before we arrived, there was a real chance that they would succumb to hypothermia. Once they were stable we could start to think about the stranded walkers."

Will sent the rest of his cadets to a small refuge to wait for the emergency services, while he prepared for the most daring part of the rescue.

"We didn't know how long it would take for rescue team to arrive. We couldn't leave them stranded on the ridge; they would certainly get hypothermia and could easily slip, becoming casualties themselves. I decided that I would have to climb the slopes and attempt to bring them down." As a qualified international mountain leader, Will left Emma with two cadets and the casualties while he began the dangerous climb to the stranded walkers.

Air Rescue

photo: cadets Dominic Jones and Matthew Chamberlin
Corporal Matthew Chamberlin from Tynemouth watched the rescue unfold.
"The CO climbed the slope quickly and in no time at all he had reached the men.
We could see that he'd attached a rope to three of them and himself and started to bring them down the slope."

In fact, Will had collected all 5 men and lead them down the mountain towards safety. He put into practice the skills that he'd learnt while on his IML assessment with Plas Y Brenin.

"I felt confident that I was able to protect the walkers and myself." He said.
"The mountain rescue team arrived as we were about half way down the slope. It was a relief to see them!"

But the work wasn't over for the team of life-saving cadets. They had to explain in their best high-school French what had happened and assist the rescue officers in loading the casualties onto the helicopter.

photo: first casualty is lifted out
In total, the air cadet team were involved for three hours. Will concluded, "The rescue team offered us a lift out on their helicopter, but my guys were happy to walk off the mountain, I was really proud of them. To do what they did in a high mountain environment is something only the emergency services have to deal with. Yet they handled the situation with professionalism and composure, they are all real heroes."

A spokesperson for the French emergency services commented that had the cadets not been in the area, the casualties would surely have perished.



Video Footage

Rescue in the Pyrenees (1)

Rescue in the Pyrenees (2)

A group of air cadets have gained 10 GCSE's whilst helping their community.

Thirty two members of 346(Tynemouth) Squadron have passed the BTEC award in aviation studies, public services or music services. In some cases, each cadet has gained the equivalent of 10 GCSE passes. Some of the cadets had their certificates presented to them by Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant N Sherlock OBE Esq at a special ceremony recently.

Corporal Dominic Jones from Tynemouth was especially pleased. "I give up my free time to attend cadets and I have a really great time doing the different activities that we get involved in. It's even better when these can be recognised with a qualification." Dominic hopes to join the RAF as a pilot, he told us why these extra qualifications are so useful, "The BTEC award in aviation studies is particularly helpful to me as it covers a lot if the things that I'd study as part of my pilot training."

The commanding officer of Tynemouth squadron, flight lieutenant Will Close-Ash was delighted for the cadets. "It is very important that we equip our young people with skills and qualifications that will allow them to succeed in today's competitive business place."

Will, who is a teacher in a school in Northumberland, told us, "These BTEC awards recognise the skills that our young people have developed over two years that they have been with us. With time such a precious commodity for young people, it's important that they can gain qualifications with us as well as at school".

If you'd like the opportunity to gain additional qualifications while enjoying yourself, then visit Tynemouth Squadron on any Tuesday or Friday evening from 7:00pm to 9:30pm. Visit the squadron website www.346sqn.co.uk

Photo: Cpl Dominic Jones receives his BTEC award from the Lord Lieutenant.

A band of young air cadets impressed local veterans at a gala dinner recently.

Three members of the band from 346(Tynemouth) Squadron gave up their evening to play at a special dinner for serving and former members of the Royal Air Force. The dinner, hosted by the Newcastle branch of the Royal Air Force Association, was a celebration of the 90th anniversary of the formation of the RAF.

The band played for distinguished veterans, some whom served as aircrew during the Battle of Britain. The three lads played a selection of war-time tunes which were a great hit. Cadet Sergeant Luke Keady (17), from Tynemouth hopes to join the RAF as a pilot, he told us about the evening. "We had a chance to chat to some of the veterans after the dinner. It was great listening to their stories and relating to them how the air force serves today."

Mr Syd Graham, who organised the event, was especially pleased with the band's performance. "It was the perfect way to round off the evening. I'm particularly pleased that our members had a chance to see today's young people in a positive light".

If you're interested in the RAF and would like to join Tynemouth Squadron, then you can visit either Squadron on any Tuesday or Friday evening from 7:00pm to 9:30pm. Visit the squadron website www.346sqn.co.uk

A local air cadet from 346 (Tynemouth) Squadron has been appointed as Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant's cadet for 2008.

Cadet Sergeant Daniel Brown, from Tynemouth received his award awards from Her Majesty's Lord Lieutenant N Sherlock OBE Esq at a ceremony at HMS Calliope on the Tyne.

Daniel has been appointed as the Lord Lieutenant's Cadet for Tyne and Wear from a possible 1000 cadets. He will attend functions with the Lord Lieutenant when members of the Royal family and other civic dignitaries visit the area. Daniel was selected because of his hard work and high standards as a cadet at Tynemouth Squadron, he told us "This honour is only conferred on one air cadet in the whole of the Tyne and Wear area. I am really pleased that I have been selected and looking forward to performing my duties."

Daniel hopes to join to royal air force as a pilot after he completes his A-levels. He is currently completing his Duke of Edinburgh's Gold Award and planning to go on a Squadron expedition to the Alps later in the year.

His commanding officer, Flight Lieutenant Will Close-Ash told us how pleased how was of Daniels award, "Dan is an outstanding young leader and hard working young man, he's more than earned this award."

If you would like to take on a new challenge like flying or abseiling, why not visit Tynemouth air cadets. The Squadron is located on Military Road in North Shields, just opposite the magistrates' courts. Parade nights are Tuesday and Friday 7 to 9pm.

.Photo: Daniel Brown receives his Lord Lieutenants Certificate at HMS Calliope