East of Scotland Universities Air Squadron

East of Scotland Universities Air Squadron RAF
Active 2003-present
Role Training
Garrison/HQ Leuchars Station (Royal Air Force Leuchars until 31 March 15 when it was transferred to Army control)
Motto(s) Cuide Laidire (Gaelic: Together Stronger)
Equipment Grob Tutor
Insignia
Identification
symbol		 Two lions rampant holding an open book with the Saltire in the background

The East of Scotland Universities Air Squadron (Scottish Gaelic: Sguadron Adhair Oilthighean Taobh an Ear na h-Alba), commonly known as ESUAS, is a squadron within the Royal Air Force established in 2003 as an amalgamation of "East Lowlands Universities Air Squadron" and "Aberdeen and Dundee Universities Air Squadron". It is based at Leuchars Station (Royal Air Force Leuchars until 31 March 15 when it was transferred to Army control), in Fife and flies a fleet of 7 Grob Tutor aircraft. ESUAS is the parent Squadron of 12 Air Experience Flight, who share the aircraft.

A Squadron Leader is the Commanding Officer and ESUAS has another 4 Qualified Flying Instructors, Chief Ground Instructor, and a Physical Training Instructor. There are some 97 students, 13 civilian support staff who are contracted from Babcock, plus an adjutant and 3 civilian admin staff.

Students apply to join ESUAS at their university's Freshers' Fair and then undergo a selection process. If successful they are attested and join the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve as an Officer Cadet symbolised by a white rank tab. Normally, students are recruited for a period of 2 years. Currently, ESUAS recruit from 9 academic institutions in Eastern Scotland: Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt, Napier, QMU, RGU, Aberdeen, St Andrews, Dundee, and Abertay.

ESUAS activities include flying training, sports including Rugby and Football, military and leadership training, adventurous training, charity and community work and a social scene. The aim of ESUAS, like other University Air Squadrons is to let young people experience life in the Royal Air Force, without commitment to regular service and to provide training in the fields mentioned. ESUAS also parents sponsored students, on cadetships or bursaries, who will go on to join the RAF.

See also

References

    This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 9/27/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.