Cadets take flight in Sea King helicopter

By LCDR Mick Gallagher

Australian Naval Cadets (ANC) from TS Tyalgum have left behind their sailing dinghies and taken to the sky in an 817 Squadron Sea King.

The opportunity came when the Sea King landed during the racing of the Gold Coast Indy 2003.

Each year during the Indy the Tyalgum has opened up its gates for public parking to raise funds for the unit.
It was an added bonus this year when the Sea King visited and 13 cadets became airborne.

After a lecture on the role of the Sea King in the RAN the cadets took a familiarisation flight over the Indy track.
The cadets also learnt some aviation terminology such as cool, sick and mad.

“The flight was awesome,” said many a cadet.

“We would like to thank the pilots and aircrew for giving the cadets this very exciting opportunity,” said LCDR Christine Sheppard OIC TS Tyalgum.

“The cadets will be talking about this for some time and we feel this little taste of how exciting the ANC can be will make a career in the RAN a good option.”

The staff and cadets of TS Tyalgum gave a Bravo Zulu to 817 Squadron.

In 2002, TS Tyalgum took out the Navy League Efficiency Shield for the most efficient ANC unit in Australia.

TS Tyalgum will holds its 45th reunion in 2004 for all past cadets, staff, and friends.

Enquiries: Ph: (07) 55325645 or e-mail: tstyalgum@bigpond.com.

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