FOUR young army cadets jetted off to Latvia on Sunday for a ten-day exercise with the Baltic Guard Army Cadets.

The trip, first of its kind for the UK’s Cadet Forces, recognises the hard work and dedication of the youngsters to the Army Cadet Force and their communities. The cadets are representing the North-East on the trip.

Durham Army Cadet’s Colour Sergeant Adam Curry, 16, from Chester-le-Street, Sergeant Callum Anderson, 16, from Chester-le-Street, Sergeant Chloe Jenner, 16, from Sunderland and Sergeant Amy McCartney, 16, from Hebburn will join youngsters from Lithuania, Estonia and Poland for Exercise Baltic Guard 2018. The cadets will learn about Latvian culture, participate in military themed activities and competitions.

Colonel Brian Kitching, Commandant Durham ACF, said “We all wish the youngsters well on their visit. They have all worked hard to gain their places on the exchange and will be excellent ambassadors. This is another wonderful example of the opportunities on offer to hard-working army cadets.”

To mark the first Baltic Guard exchange, each cadet was presented with a Baltic Guard medallion from HQ Regional Command before they departed.