Blog – Page 4 – 29 SQN ATC

November 11, 2020November 11, 2020Uncategorized

Rotorua Cadets honour Armistice Day

Rotorua District Cadet Unit and 29 (Rotorua) Squadron Air Training Corps attended the 2020 Armistice Day commemorations in Government Gardens today.

Covid robbed the community on Anzac Day in more ways than one, but today we were privileged to get together and show guests and dignitaries that Rotorua’s Cadets are committed and ever-present on important days like these.

29 Squadron’s Unit Commander FGOFF Poihaere Knight also officiated in her other role as Reverend Knight when she presented the Opening Prayer.

RDCU’s Major Breen and four of his best performed catafalque duty while the rest of his unit formed up with 29 Squadron.

On occasions like these, NZCF Officers like SQNLDR Heidi Paignton and FGOFF Poiheare Knight join veterans, dignitaries, and the cadet’s parents in being justifiably proud that our young adults step up and give the occasion the respect it deserves.

October 30, 2020October 30, 2020Uncategorized

29 Squadron: very Very VERY strong!

If you spend a little time looking at the walls of 29’s Unit in Rotorua, you will eventually see a number of these: XXX29XXX. It is even found as a footer on every page of our Unit Standing Orders. So what does it all mean?

It is borrowed from 29 Squadron RAF. In the Royal Air Force, every squadron have their own embellishments around the roundel. (What is a roundel?)

As you can see, No 29 Squadron R.A.F. has a three red X on either side of the roundel. If space was limited, the XXX would appear only on one side. And after a while, the XXX by itself was recognised as 29 Squadron.

At this stage, a lot of people go… “what’s with the XXX?”, and “how is that possibly related to 29?” … and “Isn’t XXX 30 in Roman numerals, not 29?”.

The rather sad thing is that it isn’t recorded why XXX was associated with 29 Squadron, but there are a number of theories as to how it came about. One of them has been adopted as the most likely explanation, and that has become the official one.

Since the late 1920s, the squadron marking has been three (red) Xs (XXX). Since this closely resembles the Roman numeral for "29" (XXIX) there is a belief among current squadron personnel that this originated as a "misspelling" of the Roman numeral. Although various versions of the tradition are put forward, the most common explanation is that a mis-understood instruction to ground crew to paint "2 X's in front of the roundel and IX behind it" meaning "X,X,(roundel), and 'IX' or 'one-X'" resulted in "XX(roundel)'one times' X". In fact, the marking was always applied as "XXX(roundel)XXX" or as "XXX(roundel)" on smaller types, such as Siskins. It seems probable that the original adoption of "XXX" for the 1930s squadron marking was nothing to do with Roman numerals, but was a reference to the brewers' mark for "extra strong", frequently applied to kegs of beer, and that it is only a coincidence that this resembles the numeral for "29" (XXIX).

Wikipedia

And XXX has been used to indicate “extra strong” in other areas of life:

So there you have it: No. 29 (Rotorua) Squadron Air Training Corps: EXTRA STRONG!

This tradition traces back about 100 years, and it is good to see it continue.

October 25, 2020October 25, 2020Uncategorized

Another good day out for 29 Squadron in Rotorua

After being postponed – like many other events this year – Rotorua finally managed to host the Tough Guy and Gal mud run at Lakes Ranch. And like the years before, 29 Squadron turn up to keep competitors safe.

We get the best seats in the house watching the fit, the fun, and the fabulous step out of their comfort zones.

As a fundraiser this is one of the highlights on our calendar with cadets looking forward to coming back the next year.

Thanks to the cadets and whanau for supporting 29 SQN on Labour Day in the middle of a long weekend. It was a big ask and you all came through!

October 24, 2020October 28, 2020Uncategorized

On the 11th day, at the 11th hour…

Under the kind but relentless training of Major Breen of Rotorua District Cadet Unit, our Non Commissioned Officers received catafalque refresher training in preparation for Rotorua’s Armistice Day commemorations.

Cadets from RDCU and 29 Squadron will join the Returned Services Association, Rotorua Lakes City Council, and Te Arawa Returned Services League at Government Gardens to commemorate Armistice Day.

With Anzac Day and Battle of Britain commemorations changed by Covid-19, this is Rotorua’s first opportunity to come together as a community to commemorate those who gave so much for our Freedom. The public are invited to join us at the Cenotaph in Government Gardens. Please be there at 10:30 am to be in place in time for the 10:40 start.

Ka maumahara tonu tātau ki a rātau. We will remember them.

October 20, 2020October 28, 2020Uncategorized

29’s Rotorua Cadets used to own its own plane

“Do you know that 29 Squadron used to own its own plane?”, asked Unit Commander Flying Officer Poihaere Knight.

And what do you know? We did! In fact, a genuine New Zealand-assembled Tigermoth as seen at the Masterton Aerodrome Airport in the photo above.

According to adf-serials.com, the aircraft was assembled in Rongotai in May 1944, two and a half years after 29 Squadron started in Rotorua. It started off as an active RNZAF aircraft in Hobsonville but was removed from active service and changed for flight training in 1951. It bounced around New Zealand a bit until it was rebuilt and registered as a NZ civilian aircraft (ZK-DAM) in late 1969.

This is when 29 Squadron Air Training Corps in Rotorua took ownership of it until late 1974 when it was purchased by two men in Hawkes Bay.

It is currently still thought to be flying in Australia, where it was transferred to in 1986.

A Canadian design, Tiger moths were primarily owned and flown by the air forces of Canada, UK, Australia and New Zealand.

According to Te Papa, our national museum in Wellington who also own a Tigermoth (no longer on display), the aircraft served an equally essential role post-war: “The widespread use of aerial topdressing, especially in hill country, was a hugely important factor in New Zealand’s postwar economic development. The increased agricultural productivity which resulted did much to lay the basis for New Zealand’s prosperity during the 1950s and ’60s.”

29 Squadron thanks Peter Lewis for allowing the use of his photo for this article. Peter also did a stretch with Air Cadets up in Auckland a long time ago. Longer than Peter would probably care to admit to.

References: adf-serials.com ahsnz.org.nz airport-data.com

September 26, 2020October 22, 2020Uncategorized

Rotorua Marathon and Rotorua Cadets: A winning combination

Rotorua made world news today as the Rotorua Marathon 2020 was the first major recognised marathon world-wide to start after Covid restrictions have been imposed. Another first was the win by a Rotorua runner – something that hasn’t occurred since 1975. And both first male and female runners were from Rotorua as well. Congratulations to Michael Voss and Alice Mason.

Rotorua District Cadet Unit and 29 Squadron Air Cadets were there as part of the crew running the marathon on the day. More specifically, 29 Squadron were tasked with guarding the bag drop area as well as the very rewarding job of meeting every runner personally as they come through the finish line to hand them their medal.

Cadets and staff of 29 Squadron look forward to this fixture every year as it is a great way to help locals and visitors to experience the best we can offer.

One couple who were recovering after the race commented that they had run every marathon in the country, and Rotorua’s support from the community along the course and the staff at the start/finish line were by far the most friendly and welcoming they have experienced.

Kia ora! See you all next year.

September 24, 2020September 26, 2020Uncategorized

Think positive

29 Squadron just completed Term Three and it has been a good one. While other organisations have struggled under Covid 19 limitations, 29 Squadron with the unfailing support of its parents and extended families has put extra effort into preparing for a world without Covid restrictions.

Congratulations go to SGT Swinburne, LAC Morley, and LAC Sands for their well-earned promotions.

This term we also welcomed PLTOFF Peacock, SS Morgan, and Cadet Recruits Beehre, Boag, Graham, Haines, Stephenson, and Van den Eng to Rotorua’s 29 Squadron Air Cadets.

It would be fair to say we are all suffering from cabin fever, and now, under Covid Level 1 rules, we can get back out there. Term Four will be a busy one with fundraising, activities, and for some: exams. We will be at the End of Year Parade before we know it.

Term Four is also a great time for 12- and 13-year olds that are interested in joining Rotorua Air Cadets to come along to a few 29 Squadron Parade Nights. This allows for time to get the idea of what happens, join, get issued a uniform, and be ready to hit 2021 completely prepared.

September 15, 2020September 25, 2020Uncategorized

79 years young: 29 (Rotorua) Squadron

Next year, a year from now, 29 Squadron Air Training Corps will celebrate its 80th year of operation in Rotorua.

New Zealand’s Air Training Corps was formed in September 1941, at a time when New Zealand was considered to be at risk from Japanese invasion and the British were not in a position to help. Its purpose was to train potential airmen in basic airmanship and provide an insight into Air Force work to prepare young men for the RNZAF when they became of age.

With war thankfully no longer the driving force behind the existence of the Cadet Corps, the 1971 Defence Act established the New Zealand Cadet Forces as a volunteer organisation, and since 1978 girls have been able to join also.

It goes to show how valuable and important a youth organisation that operates along military principles continues to be that we prosper in the face of competing interests via the devices and the Internet.

Young people and their families see the fun and benefit of getting involved in “preparing New Zealand’s successful leaders of tomorrow”.

August 18, 2020September 25, 2020Uncategorized

Teens still thrive in Air Cadets

29 Squadron Air Cadets are still parading during Covid Level 2 lockdown, because you can’t contain the energy and enthusiasm of young people who want to do something different to sitting at home on devices.

Rotorua Air Cadets are also ready if the country raises the lockdown level to level 3 or higher: our Parade Nights online were successful last time, and this time we won’t be taken by surprise! Our cadets love it, because they get to parade with Air Cadets and be on their devices sitting on their couch!

An increasing amount of families recognise that Cadets is a great way to extend the growth of their children. Cadets will get them off the couch, into the community, and turn them into confident, respectful, and employable young adults.

There hasn’t been a single night this term where we haven’t hosted a new family that has come along to see what 29 Squadron is all about. Our group of new recruits has grown to be the largest for a number of years.

It’s no coincidence: parents are looking for wholesome out-of-school activities that will challenge, grow, and inspire their children, and the reputation and history of 29 Squadron (since 1941!) speaks for itself.

Come check us out. 6:30 pm on Wednesday nights, 23 Geddes Road, Koutu (Behind Big Save Furniture)

August 3, 2020August 3, 2020Uncategorized

Rotorua Cadets value community support

They say, “you get out what you put in”, and 29 Squadron have a significant commitment to Rotorua’s community. The most visible parts are around Anzac Day when we perform a front-line role at the dawn and civic parades. But you can also find us helping Rotorua Council, selling poppies for the RSA, and cleaning graves of servicemen and women.

But last week the community said “Thank you!” in the form of a large donated TV screen. A call went out to equip a training room and Fiona G. of Nongotaha answered the call.

Thank you Fiona! Very generous.

Some intense fundraising will be happening to fund other parts of our training program. You’ll see us at the Tough Guy & Gal Challenge at Lakes Ranch and the Rotorua Marathon finish line as marshals, and in a few weeks our own community Garage Sale will be held at the Cadet Unit.