IACE 2019 88 Squadron Air Cadets - Term 4 2019 - 88 Rangiora Squadron ATC
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88 Squadron Air Cadets – Term 4 2019
IACE 2019
The first two and a half weeks of term three were an absolute dream,
after being selected as one of the few cadets to represent New
Zealand Cadet Forces in an annual exchange to Canada.
Three of us, from across the country, spent a 13 hour flight biting our
nails in anticipation for the once in a life-time opportunity that by the
end, we wouldn’t want to go back home from. Due to our flights,
we had a small chance to discover Vancouver because of our layover
on the way to Montréal. After a chance to explore the beautiful city
Montreal, we advanced onto Québec City, then the Capital of Canada,
Ottawa, before having a chance to stay with local Air Cadets (host
families) for a weekend.
From sightseeing, checking out the local cadet activities/bases,
learning about the history of Canada and experiencing its cultures to
more adventurous activities such as high ropes and zipline courses,
helicopter flights over the forests and rivers around Québec, biathlon
shooting, a ‘sinking submarine’ simulator, sports, feeding native
creatures, and ice skating in a mall to trying not to get lost as you
ventured through shopping complexes, Canada had it all. All of these
moments were unique and had so much to show us about their
fantastic country.
The aim of the exchange is to connect like minded people with a
passion for aviation and boy, did it do that. With participants from 11
different countries - New Zealand, Canada, Australia, UK, USA, Hong
Kong, Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium, France and South Korea -
we all got to witness first hand everyone’s culture and tease them for
the funny things they all do (apparently we pronounce words weird but
that’s just the UK being the UK). The memories and friendships made
across the duration of the trip are phenomenal and I know many of us
still keep in touch and are planning to catch up in the next coming
years. I’m forever thankful for those who made the trip possible and
those who made IACE 2019 so incredible.
FS McCracken
Event Calendar
ATC returns in 2020 on Thursday 30 January for NCO’s and Officers. Cadets return on
Thursday 6 February.
TERM 4/2019 – RADAR 1
Ex Sparrowhawk 2019
Exercise Sparrowhawk is the largest NZCF
inter-unit activity in the South Island. It was
conducted at Burnham Military Camp over
the 3 - 6 October with some 170 cadets.
Activities included target shoot, Top Squad,
Rogaining, Confidence Course, Drill, Escape Nigel Elson is a registered financial advisor
room puzzle and more. The exercise is an keen to assist the unit to have the funds to
annual event since 1988. Mighty 88 had two support camps and activity days. His
teams attend. Team A placed3rd and Team daughter and son are both members of ATC
B achieved 6th. The aim for 2020 is to have 88 Squadron and he has been the treasurer
training start in term 2. for ATC for almost two years.
Nigel states “As a professional adviser I
advise clients on the best way to get
Rangiora Christmas Parade
mortgage and insurance arrangements from
the market place. I also arrange Kiwisaver. I
always put the client first with no
exceptions.”
For IACE2020 CPL Hingston is off to the Netherlands.
9 Cadets and 4 Officer escorts are selected each year
from For anyNZ.
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Officer and the Southern Area Staff. Applications need
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to be in the year before the exchange.
- nigel@friendlyfinance.nz
- www.friendlyfinance.nz
- 021 186 2768
Parades
The cadets paraded for Passendale and to
support Kaiapoi RSA in celebrating their
Centenary. Having the support of the
younger generation is greatly appreciated
by the veterans.
TERM 4/2019 – RADAR 2
EX OXCON CAMP NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019
Ex OXCON Camp was probably my favourite camp out of all the ones I have done. The weekend was a
blast. We had fun setting up the tents, and playing mafia and ultimate frisbee, and an interesting game
called Buddy-up, Buddy-down. The highlight of the camp was Saturday’s Working Bee at the Ashley
Gorge.
We started the day with some early morning P.T, and some great breakfast. Then we piled into the cars
and left camp. When we arrived, Dave Shelton and John Burton (members of AGRAG, Ashley Gorge
Reserve Advisory Group) told us what we would be doing for the day. We were split into four groups, the
first group had the hard task of moving branches and logs off the path and out of sight of the public eye,
the second group took some grubbers and axes to widen bits of the path, the third group took hammers
and steps to install on the steep areas, and the fourth group took up the challenge of moving stumps. We
all worked hard through till lunch time, when we could have a break, relax and enjoy some yummy bread
rolls and ice-blocks. Then we walked back up to Stage Two, switched some groups around, and kept
working. By the end of the day, we were all tired, thirsty and hot, we couldn’t wait to get back to camp! We
had achieved so much on Saturday, and Dave and John said they were really impressed. I felt so proud to
be in 88 Squadron, and I felt proud of everyone who had worked hard to accomplish the jobs. We had
some great fun on the way back to camp, involving lots of karaoke! Everyone was buzzing with
excitement, because Night Ex was promised to be an excellent activity! Night Ex. was really fun, I enjoyed
hunting others and being hunted by the officers and carnivores. It was interesting to see how well the
officers worked together to catch us. Some of their methods were ingenious! I think everyone enjoyed
Sunday’s activity; Rogaine at a huge farm. We all had so much fun, enjoying the race against time, trying
to spot markers to earn our teams more points, and exploring the mountains that surrounded us. Then, all
too soon, we were packing up and loading bags into cars. We were all looking forward to a nice, hot
shower, and for us girls, a less smelly toilet! I would like to say a HUGE thank-you to Officer Cadet
Warwick for organising all the fun activities and making all of it possible, and another big thank-you to
Dave Shelton and John Burton for their amazing work on the tracks. I would also like to thank the staff that
made the delicious lunches, they were amazing! I would also like to thank everyone who helped out on
Stage Two. Cdt Warwick
Season’s Greetings everyone. 2019 has been another very successful year for the
Mighty 88. Our cadets have had some great experiences, made many great
achievements during the year and really enjoyed the camaraderie that Air Cadets
brings. I am very grateful to our top team of officers and staff, whose time and
effort has made it all happen. I must also acknowledge our fabulous Unit
Support Committee for all their enthusiastic work in raising funds and supporting
units’ operations during the year.
I encourage everyone to have a fun relaxing break with friends and whanau
over the holidays, but please ensure you keep safe.
Looking forward to another great year for the Mighty 88 in 2020.
Buzz Harvey
Support Committee Chair
TERM 4/2019 – RADAR 3
Jock Turner Shoot
and Cadet2020
Well done to the team placing 3rd in
the Jock Turner competition.
Cadet2020 will occur in Waiouru in
January 2020. It is only the second
National combined cadet get together,
the last one was to celebrate 150 years
of cadets operating in its current
form. They aim to run it every 5
years. In 2020, 88 squadron has 15
cadets and 3 officers attending.
Unit Commander Closing Comments
When I sat back and reflected on this year, my first thought was how frustrating and still now feels like a
swear word when I say it …. CadetNet has been. Then I think about all the amazing individuals within the
unit, the culture we have, the fun we have had and how we have truly lived up to the NZCF values of
Courage, Commitment, Comradeship and Integrity, but more importantly the Mission: Preparing NZs
leaders for tomorrow. Two new Commissioned Officers, the ex WO going into the Air Force and others
within the unit applying. Yes we are Mighty 88.
We had a large intake of recruits at the beginning of the year and I have enjoyed spending time with them
on the camps and activities and seeing the potential in each of them to continue this trend of success while
still retaining our family type culture. Our Commitment was there with 7 Anzac parades and a couple of
others, some awesome camps and activities, one planned and ran by the Advanced cadets that everyone
enjoyed and had fun on. Other activities and camps with other units, and many many hours of Community
Service. Just this month Mighty 88 assisted with track work at the Ashley Gorge and helped the Rangiora
Promotion team again to set up and do odd jobs at the Santa Parade and Party in the Park. I am so proud to
be a part of Mighty 88.
Tania Mackinnnon
SQNLDR, NZCF
CONTACT US
Mobile 027 576 6088
Email 88sqn@cadetforces.org.nz Follow: 88 Rangiora Squadron ATC
Website www.88squadron.org.nz Parents/Caregivers join: ATC 88 Squadron Support
Location Rangiora Airfield, Rangiora 7471 Cadets join: 88 Squadron Cadets Group
TERM 4/2019 – RADAR 4
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