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404 Squadron
FLYING FALCON AAFC NEWSLETTER
Inside this issue
Information Evening ................... 1
Battle of the Coral Sea Activity .... 2
AAFC Pilot Training ...................... 2
ANZAC Day .................................. 3
Letter of thanks ........................... 3
Duke of Edinburgh Award ........... 4
Recruit Weekend ........................ 4
General News .............................. 5
AAFC Glider Training ................... 5
ANZAC Photographs .................... 5
Activities coming up .................... 6
Supporting 404SQN..................... 6
Important Dates
2 May Parent Information Evening
5 May Battle of the Coral Sea Commemoration Parade
8 May Parents and Friends Fundraising Meeting
13 May Archery Activity
19 May 404SQN FTE Shoot
25/26 May TS Voyager—Sailing Weekend
Parent/Guardian Information Evening An extremely important evening is to be held for your benefit this coming Thursday. We invite you to attend, along with your Cadet.
In the past, 404SQN has received so much correspondence, requesting information on a wide range of subjects; we have decided to invite you along to fill you in on some very important information and give you the opportunity to meet our staff and ask any press-ing questions you may have on how the AAFC operates.
THURSDAY 2nd May 2013
Building P7, RAAF Williams, Point Cook
6:30pm arrival for a 7:00pm commencement
Special guests
LACW(AAFC) Kay Ellis
‘Duke of Edinburgh Award’
Cadets participation
Cadet & Community benefits
Importance of supporting your Cadet.
STAFF MEMBER of 423 (Air Operations) Flight
Presentation on flying opportunities in powered and gliding aircraft.
Free introductory Air Experience flights
Adventure flights with aerobatics
Flying in a RAAF CT4-A Aircraft
Flying Training Camps
Flying Scholarships
RSVP is essential to help us coordinate the evening.
PLEASE DO SO NOW, IF NOT DONE ALREADY!
Email: [email protected] or
Phone: 0448 899 385
April 2013
CADET PILOT TRAINING
The RAAF offers sponsorships that is more “one on one” type training that is also substantially cheaper than external commercial flying schools.
Flying training is conducted during school holidays and weekends strictly in accordance with the CASA syllabus. Cadets will progress through the syllabus to First Solo, then General Flying Proficiency Test (GFPT) and onto Private Pilots Licence (PPL). All training is undertaken at Air Force approved service providers (Flying Schools). Graduates qualify to wear AAFC cadet wings and are capable of flying family and friends in their local training area as the Pilot in Com-mand.
AAFC Criteria:
One year’s basic training at a Squadron
Min 15 ½ years of age at commencement of training and min 16 years of age to fly solo.
Be recommended by their Squadron Commanding Officer
Meet standard powered flying medical; requirements.
Attain parental consent.
Undertake a selection interview for suitability
Please ask questions at the Parent Information evening on May 2nd. See Page 1 for more details.
404SQN has had a request to assist with another parade this Sunday, May 5th to commemorate the role Australians played in the Battle of the Coral Sea.
Battle of the Coral Sea Commemoration Parade 5 May 2013
2
The Battle of the Coral Sea
The Battle of the Coral Sea was a series of naval engagements off the north-east coast of Australia between 4
and 8 May 1942. It was fought by Allied (United States and Australian) and Japanese aircraft against four differ-
ent major groups of warships.
Some of the aircraft involved were land-based, but most were from the opposing aircraft carriers.
It was the first aircraft carrier battle ever fought, and the first naval battle in which the opposing forces of
surface ships at no stage sighted or fired at each other. All attacks were carried out by aeroplanes.It is also the
largest naval battle that has ever been fought off Australia’s shores.
The battle was significant for two main reasons:
it was the first time in World War 2 that the Japanese experienced failure in a major operation; and
the battle stopped the Japanese sea-borne invasion of Port Moresby.
For many people this was the ‘battle that saved Australia’. This is an exaggerated claim, but there is some
validity to it. The battle certainly seemed more significant at the time than modern history books rate it.
Sixty years on it is easy to see the apparent inevitability of what actually happened. But we need to try and
understand what it was like at the time, and to appreciate the great variety of factors that contributed to the
outcome—including poor communications and intelligence creating uncertainty, variable weather conditions,
the vulnerability and slowness of massive ships, the human weaknesses and strengths of crew and pilots, the
limitations of technology and equipment, and the bravery or lack of it of the men involved.
Commemoration Activity Outline
WE NEED AS MANY CADETS THERE AS POSSIBLE, PLEASE NOMINATE NOW!
Battle of the Coral Sea Commemoration 5 May 13
Melbourne Shrine of Remembrance, Birdwood Avenue Melbourne, 3004.
The aim of this activity is to aid and help the Australian American Association in their Battle of the Coral Sea
Commemoration. You are to meet at the stairs at the start of the Forecourt at 1030 hrs. A short march will
commence from here where we will escort the Veterans carrying the Flags and Banners. After the ceremony
we are invited for a light snack supplied by the Australian American Association.
The activity will finish by 1400 hrs and cadets can be collected from the Shrine.
LETTER OF THANKS
Kev O’Rourke HQ JTF633 AFPO 16 ADF SYDNEY NSW 2890
I am writing to thank you for your generous and considerate donation I received as a care package recently.
No doubt, it has been a while since you sent the pack; the delay is caused because of the amazing and overwhelming generosity of the Great Aus-tralian Public. The packages sent far outnumber the Diggers deployed and therefore the packs are distributed over a number of months.
To receive one of these packs is both an honour and an excit-ing time. Rifling through the goodies, swapping magazines or toiletries with our mates, brighten the day. As you would expect it also generates end-less yarns and reminiscing of the escapades we have been involved with.
The greatest result is the reali-sation that many, many, Aus-tralians have enormous pride and respect for those who serve. This is something that we and our families cherish; it make separation from our loved ones easier when we receive such recognition from those we represent.
The mission is progressing well in Afghanistan; we can hope the lives of all Afgans are im-proved through Australia’s efforts.
Thanks again for your support.
Yours truly,
Kev O’Rourke
Re: Care Packages sent by
404SQN in 2012
ANZAC Day 2013 A message from our Wing Commander... 4WG Cadets and Staff. I would like to congratulate all cadets and staff who supported the RSLs and represented the AAFC at ANZAC services across the state yesterday. The feedback I have received from the coun-try squadrons and in the city has been very impressive. It was a very proud moment to march with some 280 plus cadets through Melbourne and show the city what a significant organisation we are. 4 Wing participated in over 96 ANZAC Day activities which is truly an amazing achievement and I hope you are very proud of yourselves. I would like to thank all cadets for your participation and the way in which you uphold the values of the AAFC. It shows great respect to all those involved in ANZAC ceremonies. I would like especially to thank all staff. These public displays of professionalism are not possible without your support and role modelling - thank you. I look forward to seeing you all at the Annual Parade and Drill Competition in September. Thank you, Elizabeth Flanagan WGCDR(AAFC) OC
3
The Shrine of Remembrance
AAFC playing a vital role in the ANZAC Day Commemorations
Recruit Weekend
RAAF WILLIAMS — LAVERTON
26-28 April 2013
A Recruit Weekend was held for new
404SQN Cadets along with Electives
for Senior Cadets from a number of
Squadrons; all Cadets completed
their respective electives—results to
follow soon!
New Cadets were kept busy learning
hospital corners , ironing and uniform
preparation. They spent a good part
of the weekend fine tuning their drill
skills that they got to demonstrate at
the Graduation Parade; 34 Cadets
graduated on the Sunday afternoon.
This weekend boasted the largest
turnout for 404 SQN, with a total of
92 personnel, including staff. A spe-
cial thanks to all staff for a good job
well done!
A good weekend was had by all...
The Duke of Edinburgh Award
4
DofE
Anyone aged between 14 and 24 can do a DofE programme at one of three progressive
levels which, when successfully completed, lead to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edin-
burgh’s Award.
There are four sections at Bronze and Silver level and five at Gold.
With assistance from adult Leaders, participants select and set objectives in each of the
following areas:
Volunteering: undertaking service to individuals or the community.
Physical: improving in an area of sport, dance or fitness activities.
Skills: developing practical and social skills and personal interests.
Expedition: planning, training for and completion of an adventurous journey in the
Australia or abroad.
At Gold level, participants must do an additional fifth Residential section, which involves
staying and working away from home doing a shared activity.
Each section must be done for a minimum period of time. It must be monitored and then
assessed by someone with knowledge of the chosen activities to achieve an Award. Each
progressive level demands more time and commitment from participants: Bronze 3-6
months; Silver: 6-9 months; Gold: 12 months.
Participation in DofE programmes and the number of Awards achieved has grown every
year since 1956. As at 31 March 2012 over 275,000 young people were taking part in DofE
programmes in groups which are run in over 11,000 DofE centres throughout the UK alone,
let alone Australia!
AAFC and the DofE
Many parents attended the presentations from LACW(AAFC) Kay Ellis for the Duke of Edin-
burgh award last year and discovered the value to the Cadets and Community. The presen-
tation inspired an increased number of 404SQN Cadets to join the Duke of Edinburgh
Award in 2012 with at least a quarter of 404SQN Cadets participating in the Award at both
Bronze and Gold level.
A special practice journal is kept updated in order to achieve the DofE Award; Activities
such as the attendance of bivouacs assist in the learning, achievement and ongoing assess-
ment and progress of the Cadet with the DofE Award.
INFORMATION EVENING
Once again, we will be honored with the presence of LACW(AAFC) Kay Ellis
An informative presentation will be given to Parents, Guardians and Cadets on the benefits
of participating in The Duke of Edinburgh Awards.
Please join us...
THURSDAY 2nd May 2013
Building P7, RAAF Williams, Point Cook
6:30pm arrival for a 7:00pm commencement
Duke of Edinburgh Award is a very worthwhile contribution to youth development.
Photographs from 21st & 25th April 2013—ANZAC Commemoration Parades
5
AAFC Glider Training
AAFC Gliding activities are carried out using
the facilities of Air Force approved service
providers. Week long training courses are
held during school holidays. Gliders are con-
trolled and flown just like conventional pow-
ered aircraft. Gliding trains pilots to be very
well coordinated on the aircraft controls and
to have a high degree of in flight situational
awareness and excellent out of cockpit look-
out.
Learn how to be a Glider Pilot in the Australi-
an Air Force Cadets
A cadet can commence gliding training after
completing 12 months home Squadron basic
training and having been recommended by
their Squadron Commanding Officer. Cadets
must also have parental consent to partici-
pate.
A cadet can fly SOLO at the age of 15 years
after completing the pre-solo training sylla-
bus.
A, B and C Gliding certificates can be achieved
during training with patches and badges being
awarded for each level of competence by the
Gliding Federation of Australia and the Aus-
tralian Air Force Cadets.
Many ADF and commercial aviators com-
menced their flying careers by learning with
the Australian Air Force Cadets.
The Air Force Flying Scholarships for cadets
were first sponsored by the Air Force in the
1960’s.
The Chief of the Air Force reintroduced the Air
Force Scholarship programme in 2009 for
both powered flying and gliding disciplines. It
provides considerable financial assistance to
successful applicants with their initial flying
training.
Cadets applying for an Air Force scholarship
must be recommended by their Squadron
Commanding Officer, have parental consent,
and be selected on their overall commitment
to the AAFC through attendance at a home
Squadron, and Wing based activities and
undertake a selection interview to seek out
personal suitability, enthusiasm and commit-
ment to aviation.
More information will be available at the
Parent Information Evening on May 2nd. See
Page 1 for more details.
General News
CLASSROOM
All classes are progressing well up to this
point; Cadets are due to sit examinations
soon.
RECRUIT WEEKEND
SUPPORT: A big thank you to the Parents
and friends that made the effort to attend
the Graduation Parade on the Sunday after-
noon; your support is always appreciated!
ACCOMMODATION: One big thing Cadets
can work on at home, is the cleanliness of
their own bedroom; the CO received an
email on the Monday morning after the
Recruit weekend, only to be told that a good
number of rooms were not left in the state
that they were found originally. It is a privi-
lege that the AAFC gets to use these facili-
ties from the RAAF! It is up to each and every
one of us to be responsible for our own
actions; a RAAF base is not a hotel complex!
AAFC 404 Squadron
Raaf Base, Williams, Point Cook
Parading Thursday 1830 - 2130
Email: [email protected]
Preferred method of contact is email.
0448 899 385 (Leave message)
8348 6159 (Thurs 1830 - 2130)
Must at least 13 years of age, and under 18 years.
Must be an Australian Citizen or Australian Resident
Pass the medical examination*
Agree to the AAFC Code of behaviour*
* Conditions apply
AAFC 404 Squardon
Building P7
RAAF Base Williams
Point Cook Road
Point Cook 3030
Phone: 0448 899 385
(03) 8348 6159 (Thurs 1830 - 2130)
E-mail: [email protected]
Activities coming up 2 May Parents Information Evening
3/5 May 3hr Powered Flying Course PFC 06-2013
3/5 May Gliding Weekend Bacchus Marsh GFC 06-2013
4/5 May Air Familiarisation - Adventure Flights ADV 06- 2013
5 May Battle of the Coral Sea Commemoration
8 May Parents and Friends Fundraising Meeting
13 May Archery Activity
17/19 May 3hr Powered Flying Course PFC 07-2013
17/19 May Gliding Weekend Bacchus Marsh GFC 07-2013
18 May Air Familiarisation - Adventure Flights ADV 07- 2013
19 May 404SQN – FTE Shoot (Frankston)
23/26 May Aviation Theory Syllabus Workshop
25/26 May TS Voyager—Sailing Weekend
31/2 May/Jun 3hr Powered Flying Course PFC 07-2013
31/2 May/Jun Gliding Weekend Bacchus Marsh GFC 07-2013
1/2 June Air Familiarisation - Adventure Flights ADV 07- 2013
Supporting 404 Squadron The Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC) is an organisation structured with multiple
units across Australia. The backbone of the AAFC is the Squadron (SQN) which is a unit
that provided training for cadets in local; communities. You are involved with one of
these such units, 404 Squadron.
404 SQN is run by AAFC staff members who volunteer their time to provide the train-ing and have the necessary skills and attributes to be a significant leader and to help develop the cadets into better citizens in our community. With cooperation and sup-port from the local community, the AAFC provides young people an opportunity to participate in adventurous activities that encourages teamwork, leadership and self-respect.
Your skills maybe of some help...
From fund raising to administration, there is always a mountain load of things to be
done. If you feel like you would like to help and donate some of your time, we would love to hear from you!
Leave from Parade
If a AAFC Cadet is going to be absent from Thursday night Parade (Single night only), an email must be sent to [email protected] prior to the commencement of the said event, i.e. 1830 or 6:30pm; anything sent after this will be noted as absent and retrospective changes will only happen on production of a doctor’s certificate. If leave is going to be more than one parade, then a ‘Leave Application Form’ must be submitted for approval.
Note: Being marked absent, can effect eligibility for activities and promo-tions.
