A polished and innovative performance saw No.9 Squadron win the No.75 Squadron Drill Trophy for Central Area at Ohakea on 10th May.

At present the Squadron has 3 Commissioned Officers, 2 Under Officers and a civilian instructor assisting with the squadron’s administration and training.

Squadron Leader Russell Kennedy, Commanding Officer No.42 (RNZAF) Squadron presenting the trophy to
Under Officer Michael Hesketh..

A small turnout of parents attended the Annual General Meeting of the ATC Association which was held in March. Mr Tim Campbell was re-elected as the Chairperson and Mrs Jane McIntyre re-elected as the Treasurer.

At the meeting the fees were set at $40.00 per cadet for the year with varying discounts for more than one cadet per family in the squadron. Included with the Newsletter is an invoice.

If you have already paid the family levy, thank you, as it does assist your sons and daughters within the squadron.

ANZAC DAY

With a very large number of people attending Dawn Parade this year, it was pleasing to have 42 cadets plus staff parading.

For the first time we had a combined tri-corps Cenotaph and Book of Remembrance guards.

A small group of cadets volunteered to attend the Maori Service held later that morning at Moutua Gardens. At this service we also had a tri-corps Cenotaph Guard.

ASSISTANCE TO RSA

Corporal Tarryn Cleveland, Cpl Hamish Lobb, and Cadets Harry Seville, Amanda Butcher, Tom Francis and Jack Shepherd assisted the RSA by selling poppies on Saturday 19th April outside Woolworths.

GLIDING

On 28 March and 12 April, 14 NCO’s and Proficiency cadets went gliding with the Wanganui-Manawatu Gliding Club.

The flights consisted of a tow to 1500 feet and then under instruction, gliding back down to the Taonui airfield, just outside Feilding.

The Gliding Club stated that they were impressed with the cadets participation in getting the glider ready for the next flight and the way they provided support for each other.

My thanks to the parents who provided transport to Taonui airfield.

Left: Corporal Blake Jones receiving some pre-flight instruction before his turn at gliding.

On the evening of 11 June the Squadron is going to Ohakea for the night.

Please have the cadets at ATC by 1815, (6.15pm) so we can check the roll and then bus to Ohakea.

We will be visiting No.3 Squadron, Pilot Training School (PTS) and the Fire Section, returning in time for our normal 2130, (9.30pm) finish.

Can cadets please bring $2.00 with them to assist with the cost of running the Bus, with the ATC Association subsidising the balance.

Sometimes we are asked about the significance and meaning of the ATC crest and motto. We are very fortunate to have an original copy of the October 1945 issue of Contact, a war time magazine. This was donated to the Squadron by the late Denton Tyler, a previous Commanding Officer of No.9 Squadron.

Extract from Contact, October 1945. The price of the magazine was 1/- (1 shilling = 10 cents).

Heraldic Description: A New Zealand Sparrowhawk over a taiaha.

Motto: We Train to Serve

Reason for Design: The design is intended to represent flight, speed and tenacity – three characteristics which cadets endeavour to attain. The spirit of the service is embodied in the motto.

During this term, No 4 Flight will build chuck gliders over six parade nights. In Term 3, No 3 Flight will build their gliders, which will be followed by a fly-off of all the gliders built.

There is a cost of $5.00 per glider which assists in buying of materials for the gliders with the ATC Association subsidising this amount.

A good turn out for the first shoot of the year on 15 March.
Flight Lieutenant Murray Cleveland being the top shot on the day with 61 out of 75 Top cadet shot was Cadet Thomas Kuhn with a score of 49.

A reminder to cadets to phone in for leave if sick or requiring study leave. When phoning for leave cadets should also enquire of any upcoming events. Please ensure that any cadets push biking to and from ATC use bike lights and wear their helmets, and reflective strip clothing if they have them.

If any parents have any concerns that they wish to discuss, I can be contacted at ATC on a Wednesday night, 345 7303 or at home on 347 8124.

C H QUIRK
Squadron Leader, NZCF
UNIT COMMANDER

26 May 2003