Air Force Cadets support Mount Barker Show

At this year’s Mount Barker Show – a significant agricultural show held in the heart of the bustling Adelaide Hills township of Mt Barker – the Australian Air Force Cadets of No 602 Squadron again ran an information and recruiting stand.

CAPTION: Leading Cadet Bianca Willsmore helped future pilots get a feel for the controls of 602 Squadron’s twin-seat light-aircraft display.

 

For this year’s 146th Mount Barker District Show, No 602 Squadron took centre ground, locating their ‘Command Post’ right next to the cricket pitch in the middle of the town oval.

Flying Officer (AAFC) Paul Rosenzweig, 6 Wing Public Affairs & Communication Officer, said “Participating in these community activities helps Air Force Cadets learn self-discipline and teamwork, and gives them opportunities they might never have otherwise considered”.

Among the highlights of the day, Leading Cadet Lachlan Willsmore and Cadet Saxen Potts took turns roaming the field in a Yowie suit, pleasantly surprising many of the patrons around the showgrounds.

The newly-appointed new Commanding Officer of 602 Squadron Flying Officer (AAFC) Paul Lemar said, “We took with us our ‘grounded twin-seat plane’, allowing Show patrons to sit in the cockpit of a real aircraft and ask the Cadets questions”.

No 602 Squadron runs a training program which fosters initiative and leadership, while also stimulating an interest in the RAAF and aviation in general.

The squadron was originally formed in Adelaide in 1949 as ‘No 2 Flight’ of the South Australia Squadron, Air Training Corps. The flight was based at Mitcham from 1981, at Warradale from 1989, and in Strathalbyn from 1990.

Since 1995, the modern unit has been based at Woodside Army Barracks northeast of Adelaide, just 15 minutes from Mt Barker, where it shares facilities with the local Australian Army Cadet unit. It has been known as ‘No 602 Squadron’ since July 2001.

The Squadron parades at Woodside Barracks on Friday nights during school terms, between 6.30 and 10 pm. Potential future cadets, and adults interested in joining as staff, should email: co.602sqn@aafc.org.au

Cadets from the various squadrons of No 6 Wing attend many local shows throughout South Australia and Mildura during the year, culminating with all Wing personnel participating in rostered shifts at the Royal Adelaide Show in September to promote service in the AAFC.

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