A.T.C. ACTIVITIES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 49, 15 February 1944, Page 5

A.T.C. ACTIVITIES

INTENSIVE TRAINING PROGRAMME SMART WHAKA'I'ANH UNPT

During the Now Year A.T.C,. activities lmvc been progressing at a rapid pace.. (>ver the holiday period, nearly all the officers and cadets of the Squadron visited R.N.Z.A.F. training camps in New Zealand and in all cases the reports received to date .showed excellent ressi made in that direction - Those interested will be pleased tf> know that while they have been attending these courses, the Whakatane< boys have given an excellent account of themselves, and have enhanced the good reputation they have built up in other districts. A new training programme has now been issued Avliich should, make all future activities much move, interesting than previously. All educational training is now placed on a voluntary basis and arrangements are being made to accommodate those cadets wishing to continue with this side of the; "work. The service training to be undertaken in the future will consist of drill and physical training, administration, aircraft • recognition, iirmament, airframes and engines. Special attention will have to be paid to aircraft, recognition as since the beginning of the Avar, the number ol' 1 di lie rents types of' planes, usted by both the Allies and Germany t not to mention Japan, has increased considerably. N.C.O. instructors are being provided, and the suggested new programme, calls for but one evening parade per weefc and one Aveek-end parade per month, instead of as formerly, tA\o evening, parades per week. Also, new equipment has come to hand, and more is 011 the Avay, showing in itself, the importance of the A.T.C. to the R.N.Z.A.F. Avliich gives all the assistance possible in the AA'ay o£ equipment and instructors, it can. be $een from the aboA'e remarks that an extremely comprehensive training is being giA'en,. and tnis should do much to case off the i'ecruit training necessary avlk: i cadet joins the R.N.Z.A.F. Subjects included in the Ave.-k-end parades will lie musketry, field-craft, dismantling and assembly ol' en r gines, and airframes, ih<;~ ory of aircraft sighting, and star reeogntion. Also certain Aveek-end parades avill consist of visits tr> R.N.Z.A.F. stations from Friday, night to Sunday night. During theso visits, facilities ay ill be available for all cadets avlio obtain parental consent to have- a flight, in a service aircraft. N.C.O. classes, Avill also be arranged in the future for which all cadets * .showing reasonable progress Avill be eligible, and those selected will be providetl Avith. opportunities to attend courses of , instruction at air force stations if they so desire. Adyiec has been received, that the ' A.T.C. touring flight Avill be made 1 aAailable to this squadron, and an. opportunity will be given to all boys having the necessary pcrmls--1 si on to fly on this occasion. Cadets will also receive practical instruction in subjects covered in theory during the./weekly evening parades. Itf a hoy does not yoin the ' R.N.Z.A.F. the general educational : value he Avill receive from A.I.C. training will not be wasted., but on the other hand will be beneficial I to him in after life. The. social side ! holds a prominent part in the 5 scheme of things also. A ciicket team has been playing this last sea- ' son in the competition, and a l'oot- ! ball team Avill be entered in the " football competition this ■ season. Regular dances will also I be held in order to raise funds to ! send teams to other districts and to '< buy sports gear for the A.T.C. the " first of these being already on the way. The Air Force can find a place - for every A.T.C. cadet. All boys 1 betAveen the ages of sixteen and ■ twenty are eligible for and Avill be " welcome in the Whakatane Squad- ; ron. Intending applicants are ad- - vised, to join now at the beginning ' of the classes which are held at the : Winter Show Buildings from 7.3 ft» 1 till !).:><) every Thursday evening.