2180 (Galashiels) Squadron have been awarded the Marvin Trophy  which is awarded to the Air Cadet unit in Edinburgh Lothians & Borders which raises most funds for the Royal Air Force Association’s Wings Appeal. The Trophy was presented to Cadets  from the Borders Squadron at the RAFA Branch AGM on Sunday 14th Feb by Grp Capt Dan Needham RAF Ret'd who is the RAFA Area President for Scotland & Northern Ireland.

Posted by OC2180 on Saturday 13 February 2010 - 13:47:01 | |

Wildlife and Environmental Crime Officer Ruaraidh Hamilton of Lothian & Borders Police gave a presentation to an audience of one hundred and twelve staff and cadets at 870 (Dreghorn) Squadron on Thursday 11 February. A total of eight Squadrons were represented.

The presentation gave information on Wildlife Crime in respect to Birds, Deer, Badgers and hunting of animals including artifacts that are brought into the United Kingdom. There was a demonstration of both legal and illegal traps that are used and the procedures that should be taking if cadets and staff come across these and who they should contact.

The purpose of the evening was to give cadets and staff an insight into wildlife crime, which they might across during Duke of Edinburgh Award Expeditions. 

Posted by OC2180 on Saturday 13 February 2010 - 12:19:18 | |

The next  BASIC course will be held on Sunday 28 Feb 10, commencing at 0900 hours and finishing no later than 1700 hours.  The course centre will be the Wing Activity Centre, Galashiels.

Instructor Cadets and uniformed staff should wear No. 2 uniform whilst Civilian Instructors should wear smart clothing.  All attendees should bring a packed lunch.  Transport to and from the course centre remains the responsibility of the attendee though travelling expenses for adult staff will be met upon submission of a duly completed F1771 to Wing HQ – where possible, staff from the same Unit should travel together in order to minimise costs.  Travel expenses for cadets should be discussed between Sqn OC’s and their respective civilian committee’s.

If any nominee can longer attend, would they please let Sq Ldr Ross know ASAP

Posted by OC2180 on Saturday 30 January 2010 - 09:52:56 | |

Inmstructor Sgt Ewan Walker has been a member of the Air Training Corps with 287 (Stenhouse) Squadron for nearly six years.

Ewan decided to enrol for the BTEC First Diploma to boost his qualifications portfolio for university. a Ewan now featur in a Case Study on the CVQ Website promoting BTEC  to Air Cadets across the UK

“I had never been very academic at school so I thought getting an extra few qualifications would be fantastic.”

Posted by OC2180 on Monday 18 January 2010 - 14:29:16 | |

The E&SS Wing Training Officers conference will be held on Sun 31 Jan 10 at the Wing Activity Centre at Galashiels with the primary purpose to acquaint training staff with the new facility and to encourage its use by Units on a regular basis.  The conference will commence at 09:00 hrs.

Posted by OC2180 on Friday 15 January 2010 - 21:43:42 | |

The Uniformed Staf Training Course Part 1 will take place at RAF Leuchars on 27 – 28 Mar 2010.  Staff appointed into a uniformed post since 1 Jan 08 are encouraged to attend.

USTC is designed for newly appointed uniformed staff, and for those who may be considering going into uniform. The course provides an opprtunity to learn about the full remit of the role of uniformed staff and to give preparatory grounding work in aspects such as leadership, drill, staff management, creating a training programme and a wide range of Squadron activities.  The course is highly recommended for any staff who are due to go to ATF.

Anyone wishing to participate must have completed BASIC before attending this course. While the course is aimed at staff appointed within the last 2 years, it is open to any uniformed member of staff or Civilian Instructors to attend.  It is never too late to learn!

Joining Instructions will be issued electronically to all WHQs during week commencing 8 Mar 2010 for distribution to the successful applicants, as well as directly to the email addresses supplied by each applicant. For more information speak to you Squadron CO.

Posted by OC2180 on Sunday 10 January 2010 - 17:50:19 | |

For several hundred years Scottish and English Borderers endured violence, treachery, murder, arson, raiding and theft and lived in constant fear and misery.  The area spawned a bunch of brigands who came to be known as the Border Reivers.

There’s not too much in the way of violence and treachery, murder and arson around at the moment  but raiding and theft are alive and kicking in the area served  by 2180 (Galashiels) Squadron - a latter day bunch of Border Reivers.  So when another Squadron has a good idea the Lads and Lasses from 2180 Sq take a fairly pragmatic approach - and happily nick the idea for their own use!

So paying tribute to 870 (Dreghorn) Squadron  2180 also decided to have a “Ranks Auction”  with all funds raised being donated to Help for Heroes.

The most bid for rank?  - Not the Boss, not our Flying Officer , not our Baby PO  - it was in fact our Sgt ATC that drew the vast bulk of the bids . Clearly the rank and file of  2180 Sq believe the power base of the Squadron lies with our adult SNCO not the Commissioned officers! 

Over £100 was raised by cadets and all will be donated to H4H  including  the donation made to secure the Squadron Padre’s white collar.

Rather worrying though was the fact that the only way we could sell Cadet Corporal ranks was on a “Buy one get one free basis!

Posted by OC2180 on Wednesday 23 December 2009 - 20:45:40 | |

2463 (Currie & Balerno) Squadron have recently returned from a successful expedition to Sinai, Egypt.

The team of six cadets and three staff departed from Glasgow Airport on the 10 December 2009 to Sharm El Sheikh on the Sinai South Peninsula and after a short drive to Dahab on the east coast of Sinai.

Posted by OC2180 on Wednesday 23 December 2009 - 20:35:06 | |

A couple of events for your diaries:-

Training Officers Conference: Galashiels WAC Sun 31 Jan 2010

The first of these will be held on Sun 31 Jan 10 at the Wing Activity Centre at Galashiels with the primary purpose to acquaint training staff with the new facility and to encourage its use by Units on a regular basis.  The conference will commence at 09:00 hrs and a detailed agenda will be provided in due course.

Sqn Training Officers and/or a nominated deputy should confirm their attendance by providing their names to Wing HQ by completion of Annex A attached to the calling letter NO LATER than Fri 08 Jan 10. 

Wing BASIC course: Galashiels WAC Sun 28 Feb 2010

• Sqn Cdrs are requested to identify and advise suitable candidates to Wing HQ by completion of Annex A.  These must be returned no later than Fri 22 Jan 10. 
• This will be held in the Training Room of the Wing Activity Centre, Galashiels beginning at 0900hrs and finishing by 1700hrs.  (If sufficient numbers are forthcoming, we may be able to facilitate other limited localised courses that day.)

See earlier article for more information

Posted by OC2180 on Saturday 19 December 2009 - 17:37:40 | |

Well done to all the squadrons that took part at this years cross country event, a total of 109 cadets took part across the 5 age groups. Below are the overall results for the first 3 places in each race and the overall squadron positions. Well done to all the Squadrons that took part on Sunday's Cross Country event.

Below is a summery of the Squadron placing and the top 3 places for each of the individual age events.

 BOYS -
1st SCOTT(1019)
2nd GILLIS(869)
3rd WILSON(1271)

YOUTHS -
1st LAIRD(2284)
2nd LIDDLE (142)
3rd DUGGAN (870)

JNR MEN -
1st CHAPMAN(2535) BAXTER(470)
3rd MacDONALD(2284)

GIRLS -
1st ANGUS(2535)
2nd TENNANT(2535)
3rd WATT(1716)

JNR WOMEN -
1st HOOD(1143)
2nd COMRIE(867)
CARTNER(867)

Squadron Results
1=870 1=2284
2nd 2535
3rd 867
4th 1716
5th 869
6th 2463
7th 142
8th 1271
9th 470
10th 287
11th 439
12th 2180
13th 1007

Submitted by SGT 2284

Posted by OC2180 on Wednesday 09 December 2009 - 09:32:51 | |

Sunny but bitterly cold conditions greeted Squadrons from across the Wing at Dechmont Law, Livingston for the annual E&SS Wing Inter Squadron Cross Country Competition. Nevertheless a clean pair of heels was shown in many races despite the underfoot conditions which sufferred due to the running of ten races over the same course  a day earlier by local athletics clubs.

Posted by OC2180 on Sunday 06 December 2009 - 20:11:33 | |

Applications for  the above course are now required

All Cadets and newly recruited adult staff must attend a BASIC course.  Cadets training for Staff Part II may also attend. 

Cadets must attend between the ages of 17.5 and 18.5 if they wish to continue service to age 20.  Failure to attend by the upper age limit of 18.5 will result in Cadet service being terminated. 

The one-day course is designed to provide participants with the following knowledge:

The structure of the Air Cadet Organisation (ACO)

Their responsibilities as a supervisor and legal adult

Basic administrative requirements

Conditions of Service as Instructor Cadets and Adult Staff.

To continue the process, a single day course has been arranged for Sun 28 Feb 10.  This will be held in the Training Room of the Wing Activity Centre, Galashiels beginning at 0900hrs and finishing by 1700hrs. 

Speak to your CO to book a place

Posted by OC2180 on Sunday 29 November 2009 - 18:43:53 | |

The newly formed Managmemt Committee for the  recently refurbished Wing Activity Centre in Galashiels met for the first time on Sunday 22 November.

The Centre Management Team toured the centre which is located in the former Wing Adventure Training Centre above 2180 (Galashiels) Sq in the Borders town and saw the progress being made in assembling the dormitory furniture.

A wide range of subjects were discussed ranging from  the provison of catering equipment to access arrangements and IT equipment to an opening event.

The centre which can accommodate up to 30 staff and cadets is all but complete and courses are being planned for early  2010.

Members were very impressed by the complete internal reconstruction of the former WATC which is now a much more user friendly facility fit for purpose in a dynamic Wing.

The WAC Management Team comprises:-

OC E&SS Wing  - Chair, OC Ground Training, Dep OC Gound Training, OC 2535 Sq, OC 2180 Sq, & Fg Off P Cathrow 2180 Sq - Manager WAC

Each accomodation area for staff and cadets is now equipped with ensuite facilities of toliets and showers, a new dining room has been created and every room used by staff and cadets now has windows and natural light. The fisrt courses are being planned and will be notifoed through Wing HQ in due course.

Posted by OC2180 on Sunday 22 November 2009 - 16:00:15 | |