THE AIR TRAINING CORPS
AND
THE NEW ZEALAND CADET FORCES

The AIR TRAINING CORPS (ATC) is a non-profit, youth organisation which aims to provide opportunities for boys and girls to foster the spirit of adventure and team work which will enable them to develop those qualities of mind and body which go to making good citizens and leaders.

The governing body for the ATC is the NZ CADET FORCES. The NZCF (and therefore the ATC) operates as a partnership between the community (who provide premises & equipment and conduct the activities) and Defence (who provide not only the organisational framework, but also training programmes and courses). The NZCF is not part of the New Zealand Defence Force, but is directed by the Chief of Defence Force on behalf of the Minister of Defence. For the ATC, the Defence link is provided by the RNZAF through training courses and other specialist support, and for all air cadets there is, of course, an emphasis on both gliding and powered flight.

As well as the Air Training Corps, the NZ CADET FORCES comprise the Sea Cadet Corps and the NZ Cadet Corps. In modern times, care is taken that a proper balance is maintained between military and citizenship functions, and the success of this approach is measured by the number of cadets recruited and retained by each community unit.

PAST & PRESENT

AIR TRAINING CORPS:
The ATC had its beginnings in England early in WWII and gave pre-entry training to prospective RAF recruits. In NZ since 1941, the ATC has undergone various changes until today where, as a youth organisation, there are 51 Squadrons located throughout the country (7 in Auckland) and cadets number some 2,500, overseen by approx 250 officers.

For parents, the ATC provides a relatively inexpensive opportunity to see their teenage children involved in physical activities that allow them to extend themselves beyond the confines of family but in an environment that is monitored for safety and suitability.

From a teenage perspective, there is opportunity to spend time away from parents’ watchful eyes doing challenging activities in the company of peers, but supervised by older cadets. And it is this which offers the most significant aspect of the ATC today…….its inherent ability to provide role models in those promoted through the ranks to become NCOs and officers, who appeal to teenagers, but are reliable enough to reassure parents. It is they, through example and guidance, who demonstrate how to have fun while being socially responsible and, in doing so, play a major part in focussing the direction of teenagers at a very impressionable age.

NO. 6 (NORTH SHORE CITY) SQUADRON
In 1999 No. 6 Squadron celebrated its 40th anniversary. It began life in Devonport’s Fort Cautley at the end of the 1950’s. An extremely successful recruitment drive quickly saw them outgrow the original building, and from ’60 to ’69 the unit occupied an ex-Army YMCA Canteen on North Head. They later moved to Blake Street in Ponsonby sharing a building with several other squadrons, until Defence sold this site in 1996. During the last few years No 6 have had several temporary homes. Among those have been buildings kindly loaned by the Navy, Takapuna Grammar School and Glenfield Primary.

THE SQUADRONS OWN HEADQUARTERS
A six year search by the Support Committee for a permanent home finally saw the Devonport Community Board offer the Squadron a lease on the ex-North Devonport Bowling Club in Achilles Crescent. The land and buildings (complete with flagpole) offer an ideal headquarters for the Squadron. The unit continues to seek money to refurbish the clubhouse and provide an equipment store from those organisations which support the “youth” of Auckland, and the North Shore in particular.