No. 2 (Hutt City) Squadron

Air Cadets

Who We Are

No. 2 (Hutt City) Squadron is the Lower Hutt branch of Air Cadets - we meet at 160 The Esplanade every Thursday evening, 6:20pm - 9:10pm. Air Cadets is one of the three corps which make up the New Zealand Cadet Forces (NZCF). The NZCF is a voluntary youth organisation providing training to youth aged between 13 and 19 years old. No. 2 Squadron is one of the oldest Air Cadet units in the country - we are proud to have trained the youth of Lower Hutt since 1941.

Our Mission

To develop and enable self-disciplined, confident and responsible young New Zealanders.

The New Zealand Cadet Forces (NZCF) is a disciplined, uniformed organisation which provides military-based leadership, personal development and training to persons aged between 13 and 19 years old. 

Our Values

Preparing New Zealand's successful leaders of tomorrow. 

The New Zealand Cadet Forces (NZCF) core values are Comradeship, Commitment, Courage, and Integrity with the aim to foster a spirit of adventure and teamwork, and to develop those qualities of mind and body for good citizens and leaders.

What We Do

Aviation

Cadets learn the theory of flight and the controls in gliders and powered aircraft. We run flying activities where cadets have an opportunity to learn the controls and have a go at flying. For more senior cadets, there are several week long national aviation courses available where cadets have an opportunity to fly solo in a powered aircraft or glider. All flying activities have an associated  cost, however this is often significantly lower than private flying lessons. These activities are optional, and there is still a lot to be gained by attending other lower cost activities.

Shooting

We offer firearms safety and marksmanship training with our very own rifles. We use .22 rifles on 25 metre ranges. We hold regular range days where cadets can earn shooting badges, and we compete against other units in regional, national and even international shooting competitions.

Cadets complete thorough training before they fire their first round. Senior cadets have the opportunity to qualify as Shooting Coaches, allowing them to help run shooting activities.

Bushcraft

Our bushcraft syllabus provides Cadets with life long transferable skills and gets them used to the outdoors. We teach navigation, tramping, camping, camouflage, search and rescue, how to cross rivers/large waterways safely and first aid. Cadets start by attending our basic bushcraft camp and then graduate to attending overnight tramps planned throughout the year.

Leadership

One of our keys aims is to prepare New Zealand's successful leaders of tomorrow. We provide many leadership opportunities within a safe environment to encourage our cadets to reach their full potential. As cadets advance, there are opportunities to attend fully funded leadership courses held at Ohakea Air Force Base. These courses involve staying on-base for a week and learning all about leadership, public speaking and more. 

Drill

The aim of drill is to develop a cadet who is proud, obedient, self-disciplined and to provide the basis of teamwork. We parade every Thursday and partake in drill regularly. In April each year, you will get to participate in local ANZAC day services. There are also opportunities to compete in drill competitions!