A flying start for Falkirk cadets

The 470 Falkirk squadron had the pleasure of receiving a prestigious first-time visit from the regional commandant for Scotland and Northern Ireland Group, Captain Jim Leggat OBE last week.
470 Falkirk Squadron - RAF Air Cadets welcomed Regional Commandant for the Air Training Corps Scotland and Northern Ireland Region, Jim Leggat.  Picture: Michael Gillen.470 Falkirk Squadron - RAF Air Cadets welcomed Regional Commandant for the Air Training Corps Scotland and Northern Ireland Region, Jim Leggat.  Picture: Michael Gillen.
470 Falkirk Squadron - RAF Air Cadets welcomed Regional Commandant for the Air Training Corps Scotland and Northern Ireland Region, Jim Leggat. Picture: Michael Gillen.

Along with his team, Jim Leggat OBE conducted a formal inspection on the air cadets for the regional heat of the Morris Trophy.
This award is one of the most sought after national trophies in the Air Training Corps and can only be achieved upon inspection by a commandant.

Following the 470 Falkirk squadron’s inspection, they were selected as the 2018 regional morris trophy winner and also awarded with the West Scotland Wing Efficiency Trophy for 2018.
The Falkirk squadron are now formally recognised as the best large scale RAF air cadet squadron in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Flying officer Marc D Esson RAFAC, officer in charge at 470 said: “This has been a huge honour for the squadron and a testament to all the hard work put in by the cadets.
“It has been the first time we have been nominated in over 30 years and marks a fantastic start to 2018.”

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The special celebration, hosted at their Bellsmeadow centre, was driven by the cadets and supported by the staff who demonstrated many of the activities that the unit provides as part of its development programme.

The 470 Falkirk Squadron received wide acclaim on the evening from the regional commandant and his staff for their delivery of the “cadet experience” and promoting the main aims of the ATC.

Office Esson said: “It has been a huge honor for 470 Falkirk Squadron to win the West Scotland wing efficiency trophy for 2018 and be selected as the 2018 regional morris trophy winner for Scotland and Northern Ireland.

“This is the culmination of five years of hard work by our dedicated volunteer staff and cadets and continued support from our civilian committee and colleagues across West Scotland wing to be formally recognised in this manner.

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“It was also a very special occasion for our former officer in charge, flying officer Aubin Bryce who passed the command responsibility to myself in January after 15 years in charge and who continues to serve at the unit after 53 years with us.”