MAF Presentation

by Cadet Sergeant Lisa Whitaker

On the 30^th May, Brian Harris, who was a CCF officer, and Mike Beetham, who was in the ATC, visited 1224 Wharfedale Squadron to educate us on Mission Aviation Fellowship's (MAF) work, including flying over 130 aircraft all over the world for medical evacuations and safaris, blood and equipment ferrying and carrying mail, with planes taking off or landing every 3 minutes.

They started their presentation with some facts about the MAF. They revealed that 25 countries now have their planes, flying to over 1500 different destinations worldwide, more than any other airline. MAF have many different models of planes, specialised for their cargoes and destinations. Bangladesh is mostly covered by water, so MAF brought in the Cessna 208 Floatplane so that they could land on water. Other planes are designed to carry large loads, such as the Twin Otter, capable of carrying 22 people, or the Cessna 208 Caravan, which can fit a quad bike in it's hold.

 

MAF have helped to bring aid and rescue to the Boxing Day tsunami in Haiti back in 2004, battling rugged airstrips with rough landings. In many countries the MAF are under threat from rebel attacks and so keep their time on the ground to just 20-30 minutes. But MAF have had good flights aswell, such as flying with Princess Anne, who is a patron to Save the Children, who work alongside MAF.

Mike told us that MAF started out in 1948, with 3 men who served in the RAF flying out to Kenya to meet locals and find out if aid was needed. Their flight took nearly a month with endless refuelling. MAF now can turn a 2 and a half day drive in a 2 hour flight, supplying those in need with life-saving supplies and doctors. They can also provide flights for nearly half the price of most airlines.

The MAF have a display of a Cessna 182 on the 6^th July in Sherburn in Elmet, from 10:30am – 3:30pm.

Silver D of E Expedition

by Cadet Sergeant Lisa Whitaker

Saturday 25^th May brought the first day of a Silver D of E expedition for four cadets and an adult sergeant from 1224 Wharfedale Squadron.

We set off on saturday morning from the town of Addingham at 10:30am, starting with a long hill climb. After a very slow start we reached the village of Draughton where we stopped for lunch. With the sun glaring down upon us, we headed for Halton East and began the second big hill climb of the day, after which we walked along a very scenic route parralel to the River Wharfe and eventually arrived at our campsite in Appletreewick. We set up our tents and started cooking some food, and one of us enjoyed two steaks for dinner! After a satisfying meal, hot showers were in order followed by a bit of social time before we settled down for the night.

We awoke on Sunday to a chilly morning, with sore feet from many blisters and looking rather red from sunburn. We set off at 9:45am, ready to take the day of a slightly longer walk of 17km. We walked through the town of Burnsall then down into Hebden and after one steep rocky hill and a boggy marshland we reached Mossy Moor Reservoir, where we stopped for well deserved lunch. We then proceeded down the valley into Grassington and then on to the town of Linton and continued to the campsite in Threapland, just outside of Cracoe, where we were to spend our second night of the expedition. We arrived at around 6pm, quickly set up camp and ate our dinner, indulged in a shower and got an early night.

Monday morning started rather cloudy as we crept out of our sleeping bags to cook breakfast. Setting off at 10am with high spirits knowing that it was our last day, we headed for the small village of Flasby, which was at the bottom of a hill that stood between us and the town of Embsay, which was our finishing point. At the top we had a quick rest and looked upon the villages of Hetton and Rylstone, which we had travelled through previously and where we had yet to walk. The rain starting to come down as we trekked the last few kilometres to Embsay where we all gladfully removed out rucsacks and tucked into our remaining snacks from the expedition.

Wharfedale Adventures Over and Up Hills

Cadets from Wharfedale are having a great time now that Sergeants (ATC) Luke Dowling and Scott Watson have completed their Basic Expedition Leaders Award.

Already cadets from 1224 have been out on a two day assessed Duke of Edinburgh Bronze expedition and a three day expedition in preparation for Silver and Gold DofE levels.

The expeditions are only part of the scheme, with cadets also participating in the community, taking part and improving in sport and developing a skill.

Another of the new opportunities offered this year is the climbing wall - Sgts Dowling and Watson are newly qualified CWA/NICAS instructors and cadets have literally become hooked on the activity. Cadets are taking part in a sponsored indoor climbing challenge at RAF Linton-on-Ouse in mid June where they will climb the equivalent of Mount Everest on a climbing wall to raise funds to purchase more sets of equipment.

In addition two team of cadets have just completed the final round of the National Air Cadet Rifle competition and we eagerly await the results.

Cadets are taking part in a number of local activities in June and July including Armed Forces Day events at Skipton and Bradford and Addingham Gala. In-between all of this, they also have a planned trip to the Waddington Air Show.

Should you be interested in the Air Cadet organisation please look at our website for further details - www.ilkley-atc.co.uk

Haworth 1940's Weekend

During the weekend of 18/19th May, the band of 1224 (Wharfedale) Squadron took part in the Haworth 1940's weekend.

The band played both static and marching routines during the event which also featured a Hawker Hurricane from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flypast. The band entertained the large crowds as they marched down Haworth High Street in front of hundreds of 1940's re-enactors as well as the general public.

The band also featured Cadet Sergeant Tom Smith (trumpet) from 2431 (Keighley) Squadron and Cadet Joanna Kelly (clarinet) from 264 (Skipton) Squadron, two regular performers with the band.

The Cadets enjoyed both days, though the weather was significantly better on the Sunday!

Nikki Carro - event organiser Haworth 1940's/ Dambusters event said - 'Your squadron should be commended, they were absolutely superb and a genuine honour to have them perform at our event, Thankyou so much...Your participation in the church service and to hear the band play in conjunction with the Hurricane was emotionally overwhelming! Having spoken to the veterans later, they were very pleased.'

Wing Training Day Success for Wharfedale

On Sunday 12th May, a team of cadets and staff from 1224 (Wharfedale) Squadron made the journey to RAF Linton-on-Ouse to take part in Central & East Yorkshire Wing's Annual Wing Training Day.

The day started bright and early as the first event that 1224 had to take part in was the First Aid competition at 09:30!

The Squadron entered a host of other competitions during the day including Drill, Media and Communications, Aero Modelling, Aircraft Recognition, Volleyball and the Balsa Model competition.

The band was also involved in the day, taking part in both the Full Band and Ensemble competitions.

The day was ended with the final parade during which it was announced that the Squadron had won both the Full Band and Ensemble competitions. There as a surprise when it was announced that Cadet Sam Shaw had won the Category B Aero Modelling competition.

Other results for the Squadron included Sergeant Raabe placing as the third best overall Drill Team NCO i/c, a second place in the Media Comms, Balsa Model and Air Rifle Shooting competitions.

All cadets did very well during the day and the Squadron hopes to do even better at next years event.

Cadet Brave the Sun for Ilkley Carnival

On Monday 6th June the Cadets and Staff of 1224 (Wharfedale) Squadron braved the baking sun to take part in the annual Ilkley Carnival.

The Squadron paraded with the procession watched by a crowd of thousands - the biggest in the carnivals history - through the centre of Ilkley to East Holmes Playing Field to the carnival.

At the Squadrons stall on the field there was the usual tombola - run by the Squadrons civilian committee - as well as recruitment display boards set up by Cadet Corporal Lisa Whitaker and a cake stall run by Mrs Whitaker.

The Squadron also held a collection for RAFA during the day with a 'name the bear' competition as well as selling pin badges.

Another fundraiser was the 'Guess the weight of the rucksack competition'.

As with last year three cadets were asked to accompany Cllr Heathcliffe Bowen, Chairman of Ilkley Parish Council as his equerries for the day.

Overall the day was a huge success and the cadets, staff and civilian committee were a huge credit to the Squadron.

More pictures can be seen on the Squadrons Facebook page: fb.me/1v8KLtVri

Wharfedale Staff Honoured for Exceptional Service

Two long serving staff members of the Squadron have been honoured by Dr Ingrid Roscoe, the Lord-Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, at a private ceremony held at Ceres Division Royal Naval Reserve in Carlton Barracks,

Squadron Leader J Hitchen RAFVR(T) and Warrant Officer (ATC) D Wood were awarded the Lord-Lieutenant’s Certificate – an achievement recognised as one of the highest honours in the forces, ranking alongside the MBE - in recognition of their service with the Squadron and the Corps.

Squadron Leader Hitchen joined 1224 (Wharfedale) Squadron in 1987 and was made Officer Commanding in 1991, retaining that position until he stepped down as OC to take the post of Sector Commander for Sector 5 of Central & East Yorkshire Wing.

Reflecting on the ceremony, John, commented: " I feel very honoured to receive this award, which is wonderful recognition of nearly 25 years of service. The Air Cadets have taken up a big part in my life, which I have enjoyed immensely, and I'm glad that I've been able to make use of my experience in aviation to the benefit of so many young people over the years."

The other recipient of the award, Warrant Officer Wood joined 1224 in 1991 as a Civilian Instructor while his children were attending the Squadron before moving into uniform as an Adult Warrant Officer and later taking up the position as Squadron Adjutant, a role he has held to this day. 
He was instrumental in forming the Squadrons band in 1997 which is still going strong today and has been the driving force behind the Squadrons huge success in collecting for the Royal Air Force Association.

Of his award David said: "Having joined initially in support of my children, I never imagined I'd still be here over 22 years later. But I found it so rewarding, and such a great privilege, to see all these young people achieving so much as they grow into responsible young adults. That hasn't changed to this day, and I feel extremely honoured to have received such a prestigious award."

Also honoured at the ceremony were Flt Lt Keith Christmas RAFVR(T), currently the OC of 2527 (Lawnswood) Squadron who had previously served with 1224 (Wharfedale) Squadron on two occasions and Flt Lt Tony Young of 2168 (Yeadon) Squadron.

Sqn Ldr Hitchen (fourth from the left), WO Wood (third from the right), and Flt Lt Christmas (Far Right) at the ceremony.