Flt Lt Bruce Lumsden, Officer Commanding 107 (Aberdeen) Squadron, is leaving the Squadron to take up the appointment of Wing Staff Officer with effect from 1 January 2010.  His appointment will be Deputy WATTO for Aberdeen & NE Scotland Wing.

Flt Lt Lumsden joined 107 (Aberdeen) Squadron in 2002 and was appointed OC on 1st September that year.  He has seen the Squadron grow from a handful of cadets to the strength it is today.  His Summer and Winter Mountain Leader qualifications have been a big asset to both the Squadron and Wing both for adventure training and Duke of Edinburgh's Award expeditions.  In 2008 he led the Squadron expedition to Ghana.

On 1st January Flying Officer Ryan Jackson takes over as OC 107 (Aberdeen) Squadron.  Fg Off Jackson joined the Squadron earlier on this year having been OC 347 (Dudley) Squadron for four years.

This year the parade hall was bursting at the seams with the parents and families of the cadets for the Annual Awards Presentations.

Our guests on the evening were Air Commodore Reg Whittaker MBE RAF (retd), Honorary President Squadron Leader Sandy Reid RAFVR(T)(retd) and our Padre the Reverend James Wood.

Awards and trophies in various categories were made as well as promotions.  Cdt Jack Webster, pictured with Air Cdre Whittaker, received the Communicators Award, Best Small Bore Shot trophy, Best Full Bore Shot trophy and promotion to Corporal.

Nine new cadets were enrolled by the Padre during the evening.

Fg Off Donna Greig left at the end of October to take up the appointment of OC 2368 (Aberdeen Airport) Squadron.

CI James Moore left at the end of December to rejoin the RAF.

Cadets John Riddell, Andrew Coutts and Jamie McKendrick continued our involvement with the Cove Community Council this weekend by planting several hundred crocus bulbs along a grass embankment by the entrance to Cove.

They soon got into their stride cutting out an earth plug, planting the bulbs and replacing the plug.

Come Springtime we hope to see this bank covered in a sea of crocuses.

Almost a hundred Cadets, Staff, Civilian Committee, Past Members and Guests attended a dinner to mark the
70th Anniversary of 107 (Aberdeen) Squadron.  This was a formal occasion with Sqn Ldr Sandy Reid (Honorary President) being the guest speaker.

The past members of the squadron attending spanned many years... even back to the early Fifties, which provided plenty of opportunities for reminiscing.

There were two presentations on the night; to Fg Off Donna Greig for her years of service to the squadron and to Catriona Dick who designed the squadron's crest.  Both left the squadron this year.

The evening was rounded off with a Ceilidh.

We were asked by Cove Community Council to help with the clearance of the Community flowerbeds in Cove ready for new planting later this month.

Cadets Calum McIlraith and John Riddell braved the rain to help other volunteers before the work was cut short due to the weather.

Sgt Stuart Whitehead has just completed a 3,500ft static line solo jump on the popular parachute course at
RAF Weston-on-the-Green, Bicester.  Read his personal account of the experience here.

Sgt Stuart Whitehead (right)

Jump...

The prestigious Lees Trophy is awarded to highest achieving Air Training Corps squadron in the country.

107 (Aberdeen) Sqn won the Scotland and Northern Ireland Regional Efficiency Competition and were nominated as the Regional Representative in the Lees Competition for the year ended 31 March 2009.

Each of the six regional finalists were inspected personally in the last month by Air Commodore Ian R W Stewart, Commandant Air Cadets.

This inspection took the form of a formal parade followed by a display of the various activities that the cadets undertake.  These included a Continuity Drill display, Radio Exercise, First Aid and Flight Simulator training.  There was also a short presentation and video on our expedition to Ghana last year.

Each finalist had been eagerly waiting for the result to be announced at 12pm today on the new Air cadet website.

Congratulations go to this years winners - 610 (Chester) Squadron.

Our new cadet intake came along for their first night at the squadron and after some form filling formalities went outside for their first taste of cadet activities.

Fg Off Jackson led the exercise where they learned how to erect and take down the frame for a 12 by 12 tent.  They soon demonstrated that, working in pairs, they could do this blindfolded.

It's quite easy really...		... now we can do it blindfolded.

CI John Strange, our qualified canoeing instructor, organised an evenings instruction on the River Dee for six cadets, assisted by several other staff.

Some of the cadets had previously tried canoeing on camps but all gained valuable experience and improved their skills during the exercise.

Today the staff and cadets of 107 (Aberdeen) Squadron were formally presented with the Lady MacRobert Memorial Trophy at Douneside House, marking their success in achieving the standard of the Best Squadron in Aberdeen & North East Scotland Wing for 2008/2009.  This achivement is our sixth consecutive win.

The formal parade consisted of 107 (Aberdeen) Squadron, 865 (Portlethen) Squadron (Runners-up) and 1296 (Turriff) Squadron.  Under the direction of the Ballater Pipe Band, the three squadrons marched on to the lawn in front of Douneside House for the presentation by the Reviewing Officer, Wg Cmdr Mike Saunders, OC XV Squadron
RAF Lossiemouth.

107 (Aberdeen) Squadron on Parade at Douneside		Flt Lt Lumsden, OC 107 (Aberdeen) Squadron (centre), Wg Cmdr Saunders, OC XV Squadron RAF Lossiemouth (3rd from right) and staff of 107 (Aberdeen) Squadron

107 (Aberdeen) Squadron gained fourth place in the Scotland & Northern Ireland Regional Target Rifle Competition.

The Wing cross country event takes place next month and in preparation we had an inter-flight race in the same Bennachie area.  Cpl Roy Brown took on the task of organising the event and setting the route which was run by one team from each of 'A' and 'B' flights from 107 Squadron.

The route measuring 13.4km followed paths and tracks through the Bennachie Forest and over Millstone Hill.  Various checkpoints throughout the course were manned by squadron cadets and staff who were in radio contact to monitor the progress of the competitors.

The victorious team, 'A' Flight, completed the course in a time of 2hr 8m.

Winners - 'A' Flight		Bennachie Cross Country cadets

The 2009 Aberdeen & North East Scotland Wing athletics competition took place at a sunny but cold Catto Park in Peterhead.

Teams were entered from squadrons throughout the Wing to compete in the usual track and field events.

Overall result:
1st  - 1990 (Ellon) Squadron
2nd - 865 (Portlethen) Squadron
3rd  - 107 (Aberdeen) Squadron

107 (Aberdeen) Squadron and several other squadrons in Aberdeen & North East Scotland Wing continued with their annual involvement with the Balmoral Races cross-country event throughout the Balmoral Estate.

Their role was primarily marshalling the several thousand runners and spectators during the various races to ensure the safety of all involved.

Today CWO McKenzie, Sgt Whitehead, Cdt Riddell and Cdt Chalmers assisted the Aberdeen City Council Ranger Service in the maintenance of the community woodland at Calder Park.

Due to the effect of wind and local deer grazing, stakes and protective tubes round the young trees we helped plant a couple of years ago required straightened and repositioned.

Cpl Roy Brown has returned from Exercise Snow Eagle 2009, a weeks instruction on alpine skiing/ski touring and winter survival techniques around Oberstdorf in Southern Germany.  This is his assessment of the experience.

Last week I was given a fantastic opportunity through the Air Training Corps.  I attended a week’s instructed alpine Skiing/Ski touring around Oberstdorf in Southern Germany. Having done some skiing in Scotland and always wanting to go skiing in the Alps, this was definitely the best introduction that I could have possibly got, especially seeing as the price for the trip was just £300.

24 cadets from all over the UK met up in RAF Uxbridge, where we all travelled to Germany together.  This alone was a great experience, as we quickly had to get to know people that we had never met before in a very short time.  When we arrived we were split into three groups and given all the clothing and equipment that we would need throughout the week. Our training included several day’s alpine skiing, which was brilliantly instructed due to most people being able to ski black runs by the end of the week.  It also involved an introduction to ski touring including a short ski tour off-piste up a mountain.  We were also taught Winter Survival techniques, such as building snow shelters and avalanche rescue techniques.  The instructors were Army Physical Training Instructors that were not only trained ski instructors but very accomplished mountaineers.  This included the part-owner of the outdoor centre we were staying at, Dave Bunting, who led the British Army Everest West Ridge 2006 Expedition.  Also, we were lucky enough to hear his outstanding presentation on the expedition, which in the past, he has given to an audience of up 1500 people.

For me, my main highlight of the week was when we just got off the cable car at the top of the Fellhorn ski centre.  We were above the clouds; the snow was perfect and the sun lit up the mountains.  It was here that I thought to myself that this camp is a perfect example of just what you can get out of the Air training Corps.  Now being back home in Scotland the only thing I can say to sum up is that I know that I am definitely going back to the Alps next year!

Cpl Roy Brown

Following the recent inspection by Group Captain M Urquhart RAFR, Commandant Scotland & Northern Ireland Region, it was announced today that 107 (Aberdeen) Squadron had won the Scotland & Northern Ireland Regional Efficiency Competition.  We will now be up against the best squadron from each of the other five regions of the Air Training Corps in pursuit of the much prized Sir Alan Lees Trophy.

The Lees Trophy is awarded annually to the squadron which is judged to be the best in the Corps in overall achievement and efficiency during the year of assessment, having regard to its size, location and facilities.

107 Sqn previously won the Scotland & Northern Ireland Regional Efficiency competition in 1967 and 1973.

The final inspection of this year's Lees Competition will take place on a date to be confirmed, in May or June this year.

107 (Aberdeen) Squadron have been announced as the best all-round squadron in the North East of Scotland for the sixth consecutive year.  In June, the squadron will be presented with the 'Lady MacRobert Memorial Trophy' in recognition of the squadron's achievements and efficiency for the last 12 months.

Our last year has been very busy with lots of great achievements which included: winning the drill competition, athletics championships and Regional photographic competition; overseas expedition to Ghana; Duke of Edinburgh's awards; Flying; Gliding Scholarships, Hawk Flight, F3 Tornado Simulator, over 60 weeks of camps & courses for cadets and staff; Shooting; Sports Blues; community activities and so on. Individual achievements included two Lord Lieutenant's Cadet appointments, Best Male Cadet in Scotland and Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Awards.

The MacRobert Parade will take place at Douneside House, Tarland on Sunday 14 June 2009.  Up to 60 cadets from several squadrons led by the Ballater Pipe Band will parade in front of The MacRobert Trustees.  107 Sqn will be presented with the MacRobert Trophy by the reviewing officer Wg Cdr Mike Saunders, OC XV (R) Sqn at RAF Lossiemouth.

107 Sqn was inspected by Group Captain M Urquhart RAFR, Commandant Scotland & Northern Ireland Region at a special parade on Monday 30 March.  This inspection was part of the national Lees Efficiency Competition, the result of which is eagerly anticipated...!

Over recent years cadets and staff have been researching the History of 107 (Aberdeen) Squadron from its roots in the Air Defence Cadet Corps back in 1939.  The sources included library, Wing and Squadron archives collated over many years.  The project is still work in progress but gives a detailed insight up to 1969, together with information on all of the Commanding Officers.

Over the weekend 14 & 15 Feb, 107 Sqn ran a Winter Skills Course for teams of cadets in the western Glenshee mountains.  On Saturday 6 cadets with no experience of winter mountain walking were treated to a full day of skills training including ice axe arresting and moving around on steep snow slopes.  Sunday was a full day with a group of cadets who had all previously completed their skills training venturing higher and further into the mountains.  The group on Sunday climbed a mountain called Socach Mor at more than 3000ft high, whilst practicing their skills on steep slopes and learning about avalanche awareness.  The group was led by the Sqn CO, Flt Lt Lumsden who is a qualified Winter Mountain Leader and assisted by CI David Birch.

All cadets who have a some experience of mountain walking in Summer conditions can put their name down for Winter Skills Courses which are being run in Feb, Mar & Apr.  Those cadets who complete their skills course can then go on to do full Winter Mountain Days or further Winter Expedition Training.  All technical equipment (ice axes, crampons, boots, helmets) are supplied from Squadron stores.

More pictures from Sunday can be found here.