A group of cadets and adult volunteers from around North Region were treated to an experience they will never forget. Whilst the cadets visit RAF Leeming on a regular basis to undergo air experience flying (AEF) in the Grob Tutor training aircraft, this occasion would see them flying in something a little different.
Some 90 cadets and escorting adult volunteers from 27 squadrons in North Region were invited to RAF Leeming to carryout air experience flying in the Chinook heavy lift utility helicopter of the Royal Air Force.
Thanks to the Joint Aviation Command (JAC) and 27 Sqn, the cadets experienced first hand what it is like for service personnel to be transported in the Chinook helicopter. Experiencing the thrills, sights, sounds and smells of this iconic aircraft is an incredible experience for the cadets.
Flt Lt Armstrong, in charge of the cadets from 242 (Cramlington) Squadron, 1000 (Blyth) Squadron and 2522 (Bedlington) Squadron said "You could from see from their nervous excitement pre-flight and the sheer joy and beaming smiles on their faces afterwards just how much of an exhilaration the sortie in the Chinook was. The cadets not only got to experience what it was like to travel in the Chinook (very hot and noisy!), which offered an experience like no other, but also were able to see first hand the sheer professionalism of the RAF crew as they skilfully briefed, kitted out and loaded/unloaded their passengers."
One of the cadets Cdt Adam Hickey from 242 (Cramlington) Squadron said "The Chinook flight overall was a great experience, taking off vertically was an odd sensation but lots of fun and very loud."
The Wing Commander from JAC said “Many of us on Exercise Hades Warrior are former members of cadet organisations including the RAF Air Cadets. Knowing how shaping and meaningful air experience flying can be, being able to fit supporting North Region Air Cadets into this high-end training event was a pleasure and a privilege for us all.”
Exercise Hades Warrior is a training exercise for rotary assets from across Joint Aviation Command, including Apache, Chinook, Wildcat and Merlin helicopters, flying daily sorties across the north of England and into Scotland.
A huge thank you to the crews from RAF Odiham and the Joint Aviation Command for making this happen. Along with the staff from North Region who arranged this for the cadets.
This is a truly special occasion that everyone involved will never forget.