Scotland & N. Ireland Region

Summer is nearly here and the days are getting longer, so there’s never been a better time to dust off your camera and start looking at all of the photographic opportunities that the Air Cadet Organisation provides.
As in previous years both the ACO and the RAF are looking for your best images (and in the case of the RAF, videos too). Almost any Air Cadet activity can provide the basis of a great photo, so now is the time to get creative.
Details of the RAF's photo competition are available below and the main requirement for entry is simple - strong pictures that can show the outside world what the Air Cadets are all about.
Flying & gliding, sport, music, shooting, adventure training, fieldcraft and fund-raising are just some of the activities that could inspire both cadets and staff to take pictures. Cadets of the ATC and CCF (RAF) have their own class in the RAF competition while adults can enter the Amateur Military class.

So, with the activity “season” now getting into full swing, do not forget your camera and see if you can get this year's winning picture.

The ACO's own national competition will be formally announced later in the year.
RAF Photographic competition Entry Forms
Cadets
Category J – The Air Training Corps and Combined Cadet Force Category.

Open solely to the cadet members of the ATC and CCF.
Entry - A single photograph to depict ATC or CCF activities which in the eyes of the judges would best represent these organisations in the media. Cadets entering the RAF competition may also enter the same image into the Air Cadet competition later in the year.
Cadets may enter a total of 5 separate single prints in this category.
Volunteers
Category I – The Amateur Military Category – Amateurs only - a single photograph with an RAF theme. Personnel may enter a total of 5 separate single prints in this category.
The full Defence Instructions and Notices relating to the Photographic competition, as well as a copy of the 2012 Exhibition Certificate can be found below. All entrants must ensure that a copy of the certificate is attached to the back of each photograph submitted and included with any video submission.
2012 RAF Photographic Compe***on DIN
2012 RAF Photographic competition Entry Certificate
*Closing Date All photographs entered into the competition must have been taken during the period 1 Aug 11 to 31 Jul 12. Photographs taken before or after this period are not eligible. All entries are to arrive at HQ AIR Cmd by no later than 17 Aug 12, no entries will be accepted after this date.
The competition will be judged in the week commencing 10 Sep 12 at the RAF Museum Hendon. An announcement of the winners will be made during the week commencing 17 Sep 12; this announcement will include details of prizes and the prize giving ceremony, which will be held on the 16 Oct 12 in the RAF Club, Piccadilly.

Address for entries. All entries are to be addressed to:

WO Photo Policy A4 Photo/Recce Role Office Gladiator Block HQ AIR Command RAF High Wycombe Bucks HP14 4UE

If you have any queries, ensure that you have first read the comprehensive Defence Instructions first and referred to ACP 50 for the “do’s and don’ts of photography. If in doubt please speak to your Squadron or Wing Media Communications Officer for further advice.

17 cadets with a support team, comprised of 8 staff, from 498(Wishaw) Squadron Air Cadets based in Motherwell, took part in a 10 mile sponsored walk at the end of March.

The money raised by the cadets from this walk was over £1500. The money was split down the middle with 50% of the money going to the charity ‘Help For Heroes’ and the other 50% going into the squadron funds in aid of a proposed trip to the National Arboretum later in the Year.

The Walk began with a route around Chatelherault Country Park and then proceeded onto Strathclyde Park, finishing with once around the loch. All of the cadets enjoyed it and felt a sense of accomplishment with a First class Cadet saying “I enjoyed the walk thoroughly only my feet are now really sore, but it was for a good cause.”

In preparation of this event, the cadets took part in at least 1 of 4 practice walks which followed sections of the 10 mile route.

On Wednesday 25^th April the cadets presented a check for £778.25 to John Keir, representative of the charity ‘Help For Heroes’. He praised the cadets on their efforts and told the cadets that the money raised would be kept within Scotland to help wounded Scottish soldiers.