205 Squadron AAFC celebrate 70 years

205 Squadron Australian Air Force Cadets based at the University of Queensland, Gatton Campus celebrated 70 years of developing young leaders in the Lockyer Valley on Saturday night, 9 December 2017.

CAPTION: Certificates and letters of congratulations to 205 Squadron AAFC on celebrating its 70th birthday.

The squadron was originally formed as 5 flight Queensland Air Training Corps on 13 February 1947 as a feeder organisation for the Royal Australian Air Force.

Cadets make friends and bond for life and this was evident with the guests list at the dinner including two former commanding officers and some of their cadets who have going onto careers in the Royal Australian Air Force and Royal New Zealand Air Force.

It was a great opportunity for the generations of members from the squadron to reminisce on the past 70 years.

Guests included former member and international guest Corporal Shaun Jones of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, and Flight Lieutenant Hannah John, a Joint  Battlefield Air Space Controller with 452 Squadron RAAF.

Flight Lieutenant John paid tribute to her former CO Brian Nash in her address.

Lockyer Valley Regional Council Mayor Tanya Milligan, also a former cadet, gave a brilliant address on how the then 5 Flight QAIRTC, helped her through her teenage years.

She then presented Commanding Officer Flying Officer (AAFC) Michael West-McInnes with an official congratulatory certificate on behalf of the council.

All current and former cadets and staff were presented with a commemorative coin.

Cadets also received birthday letters from members of the Air Cadet League of Canada, The United States Air Force Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol, Royal Air Force Section of the City of London CCF, French Air Cadets and from former staff.

As part of the Australian Air Force Cadets, 205 Squadron provides leadership training, flying (both powered and gliding), fieldcraft skills, drill and ceremonial training, and opportunities such as living on military bases during the school holidays, both locally, interstate and internationally, for young adults aged 13 to 18.

The squadron has seen amazing opportunities provided to the cadets through the dedication and hard work of the volunteer staff.

Cadets have participated in the Light Aircraft Championships, flights in Military jet aircraft, boating actives with the Australian Navy Cadets, trips to Canberra, behind the scenes visits to airports and military bases, giving the cadets an idea on potential career opportunities.

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