

Squadron News
What we did this weekend…
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✈️ AIR EXPERIENCE FLYING ✈️
Last week, three of our cadets attended 11 AEF at RAF Leeming for a spot of Air Experience Flying.
CDT Inawo got to grips with the Grob Tutor for her first flight; a fantastic experience!
Keep an eye out on Cadet Portal for future flying opportunities.

🏃🏼♀️ MEDALS GALORE 🏅
Yesterday, we saw out the month with a day at Monkton Stadium for the Inter-Squadron Athletics Competition!
13 of our fantastic cadets competed in various track & field events against our friends across Durham Northumberland Wing…and of course we came away with a few medals!
SGT Watson
🥈 100 Metres
CPL Callanan
🥈800 Metres
🥉 High Jump
CDT Tetchner
🥉 High Jump
CPL Brotherton, CDTs Carrahar, Hutchinson and Proud
🥈 U15 Girls 4x100 Metre Relay
We’re proud of each and every cadet who made the effort to attend and give it their own on Saturday - Virtutem Probamus!

At the weekend, members of our Cadet NCO team took part in Durham Northumberland Wing’s AT Challenge.
Taking on a day walk, as well as challenges in orienteering, first aid, archery and mountain biking, our NCOs gave their all and we are proud of every single one of them - Good effort!

On Sunday, our cadets were volunteering in the community, helping out at the Sunderland City Run.
11 of our cadets were joined by members of the police cadets, working together to provide water, isotonic drinks and glucose to the participants as they passed by on their way down Sunderland Marina.
Well done to all our cadets on a hard days work!

On Tuesday, we said a huge well done to Corporal Purvis who earned her first set of chevrons!
A shining example to her peers, CPL Purvis has embodied our squadron values through her cadet career - we can’t wait to see what she gets up to next!

👋 SO LONG, FAREWELL 👋
Tonight, we said goodbye to our NCO Team IC, FS Charlie Berry after more than five years of service.
FS Berry is a stand out amongst our cadets with his fantastic wit and his approach to NCO leadership; we’re sorry to see him go but wish him the best of luck in his future aspirations and his upcoming apprenticeship!

🏆 BIG NIGHT AT 2214 🏆
Last night, we were visited by Wg Cdr Blackie for our Annual Formal Inspection - one of the most important events of the year in the squadron calendar!
The Wing Commander was presented with some squadron memorabilia in recognition of his first inspection in his new post, but not before he himself made some presentations; a huge well done to the following NCOs on their promotions this evening!
Cadet to Corporal
CPL Brotherton
Corporal to Sergeant
SGT Hair
SGT Watson
Sergeant to Flight Sergeant
FS Rushton

✈️ AIR EXPERIENCE FLIGHTS ✈️
Tuesday was a big day for three of our cadets, who made the journey into North Yorkshire for some Air Experience Flying.
It was a first flight for CDTs Campbell and Hindmarch, and a fourth flight for CDT Brotherton who got to experience the G forces of aerobatics!
Sound good? Our next induction evening is Thursday 1 May, get in touch to find out more.

🥉 DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD 🥉
On Thursday, FS Charlie Berry was awarded with his Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s award, the first level of one of the most prestigious awards in the United Kingdom!
Having completed all four sections of his award, FS Berry was the first 2214 cadet to receive his award in 2025 and we hope he won’t be the last!

We’ve had a busy few weeks preparing ahead of our upcoming open evening, all while our cadets have continued to seize opportunity; a huge well done to the following cadets in their achievements!
⚡️ BRONZE CYBER ⚡️
CPL Green
CPL Watson
FS Berry
🏆 BLUE LEADERSHIP 🏆
CDT Campbell
CDT Carrahar
CDT Hattersley

✨ APRIL OPEN EVENING ✨
We are opening our doors to the public to give the people of Washington a little taste of #WhatWeDo, ahead of our April intake!
If you like the sound of the Air Cadets, why not pop along on 22 April 2025 to see what we get up to on a regular parade night? Bring along your mam, dad, siblings and grandparents for a spot of tea and cake too!
Sign up via our website or e-mail us at adj.2214@rafac.mod.gov.uk for more information

Last week, we recognised the achievements of Corporal Green, who received his first set of stripes!
CPL Green has made impressive strides in improving his self confidence and is a shining example to the rest of 2214 - a huge well done Corporal!

Last night we said goodbye to Corporal Johnson who leaves the squadron after five years of service.
Everyone at 2214 sends Corporal Johnson the best of luck in his ambitions to join the RAF - we hope you’ll come to visit us in the near future!

✈️ NIGHT AT NELSAM ✈️
Last night, we were joined by staff and cadets from 1507 Chester-le-Street Sqn and we were all given the opportunity to visit the North East Land, Sea and Air Museum (NELSAM). We received a guided tour around the exhibits and the site’s vast range of aircraft and military vehicles.
NELSAM, part of 2214’s extended footprint on the former RAF Usworth site allowed our cadets to get up close and personal with the exhibits, including sitting in the cockpit of the museum’s Tornado GR4 and Hawk aircraft.
A huge thank you as always to Dave and Keith for opening up after hours and telling us everything you know - some interesting stuff!

✈️ AIR EXPERIENCE FLIGHTS ✈️
Cadets Green, Lee and MacDonald took a trip down to RAF Leeming yesterday for their first Air Experience Flights.
Congratulations to Cadets Lee and MacDonald who took the step towards earning their blue wings!
Make sure to keep an eye out on Cadet Portal for future flying opportunities…

Congratulations to Cadets Coombes, Baxter, Russell and Bainbridge who recently took the first step on the first aid training ladder and earned their blue badge! #aircadets #whatwedo #stjohnambulance

🥉 YOUTH FIRST AID WEEKEND ⛑️
At the weekend, five of our cadets attended the squadron’s first Youth First Aid course of the year.
Cadets Campbell, Green, Lee, Hattersley and Hindmarch spent their weekend learning the essential skills of first aid through St John’s Ambulance’s 12 hour course, getting to grips with bandaging techniques, Little Anne and Choking Charlie.
We’re pleased to say all attendees passed and will receive their bronze first aid badges in due course - well done all!

🧗♀️ CLIMBING COMPETITION 🧗♀️
A huge well done to the four cadets who represented 2214 at the 2025 Inter-Squadron climbing competition today at Simonside Outdoor Adventure!
The team put in some brilliant work, with three of our cadets reaching their respective finals - a huge well done to CDT Purvis who took home the bronze medal for the U15 female category!
Watch this space for more squadron climbing practices in 2025…

Tonight we said farewell to our most senior cadet NCO - Flight Sergeant Ben Siberry.
FS Siberry leaves us to focus on his A Levels before heading to university in the new academic year; he leaves with the well-wishes of his peers, the memories he made during his cadet career and of course, a presentation of awards in recognition of his long service to the squadron.
Best of luck, Flight Sergeant!

Everyone at 2214 (Usworth) Squadron is saddened to hear of the passing of John Killick.
Mr Killick committed his spare time to 2214 as a civilian instructor for over 20 years, having previously served with the Royal Air Force and the Royal Observer Corps.
He will be sorely missed by his friends and personnel at 2214.



















