Royal Air Force Air Cadets

They shall grow not old as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them. When you go home, tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow, we gave our today.

What a great opportunity!

Last Sunday, we proudly hosted our 7th Girls Festival of Rugby at RAF Halton, welcoming over 1,200 players from 60 teams representing 30 clubs. Peter Williamson, our CEO, expressed, “Grassroots sports have a unique ability to bring people together and create a strong sense of community between players, friends, and families out of nothing. Watching the Girls’ Festival of Rugby grow over the years has created a huge amount of pride for us all at SecureCloud+ while knowing that we are contributing to an environment that allows girls to play competitive sports, exercise and grow both as individuals and within teams. “As part of that growth, we are committed to showing everyone in attendance just how important, fulfilling, and exciting a career in STEM or the military can be. It has been wonderful to see such an incredible response from players who visited our STEM Village and see just how captivated they were with the technologies on display. None of this could have been achieved without the incredible support from our partners, who have helped turn our vision into a reality.”   A heartfelt thank you to our partners, including MBDA, Telent Technology Services Ltd, and Royal Air Force (RAF) Air Cadets, for their invaluable support in making this event a success and bringing the STEM Village to life. Discover how we’re empowering the next generation of female leaders in sport and STEM. Read more here 👉 https://lnkd.in/ecep5UfB #SecureCloudPlus #GirlsRugbyFestival #SCPlus

Over the weekend, Cadets from all around Nottinghamshire came together for a tri-service drill competition. This event invited a friendly competition, as a way to integrate the three forces. The Cadets gave it their all, with so much enthusiasm and engagement, they left everything on the drill square, focussed on bringing home the win. Efforts demonstrated throughout the day were outstanding but there could only be one winner... So, without further ado, congratulations to Trent Wing, Royal Air Force Air Cadets who took home the Best Overall, and Best Commander trophies! A Congratulations also goes to Cadet Ward, Worksop Sea Cadets, who was presented with the Best Overall Cadet Trophy! Thank you to everyone who helped make this event possible: Our Sponsor: Nottinghamshire County Council Host: 350 Foresters Event Support: Nottinghamshire Army Cadets UK | Official and Nottingham Sea Cadets Finally, a special thank you to our VIPs: WO2 Gavin Hudson, Grenadier Guards, Hon Col Nicky Weston DL and our 5 judges & chief recorder, for taking time out of your schedules to attend and judge the very first tri-service cadet drill competition in Nottingham. Photos from this event can be found on our website: https://ow.ly/faBA50TAguS

🎮 The Royal Air Force Air Cadets shared their passion for STEM at RIAT this year by bringing immersive tech and even esports activities to the show. Find out more about the Air Cadets, including how to join! 👇 https://lnkd.in/esx2DzFP

Here’s a message from our brand new Commandant Air Cadets, Air Commodore Allen Lewis, about our fantastic honours and award recipients, who received their awards last weekend.

Delivering Air Experience Flying to Cadets in the South West Over 35 Air Cadets in the South West of England recently got airborne thanks to 6 Flying Training School. Overcoming the local mist and fog, the 6 FTS team successfully deployed three Grob Tutor aircraft to RNAS Culdrose during the week of 26 August 2024 to provide Air Experience Flights (AEF) to cadets in the South West. Group Captain Matt Barker, Commandant 6 FTS, explained, “Our priority was to ensure that all cadets who have never flown before had the opportunity to experience their first Air Experience Flight with us; we are really pleased that we could work closely with Babcock, our industry partner, to successfully deliver this activity together.” The determination of all the personnel involved meant flying operations continued till 1930 hours on some evenings, maximising the time available to get as many cadets airborne as safely possible. 6 FTS deployed aircraft from MOD Boscombe Down, with the support of Babcock International Group and Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose, who fully accommodated and supported the detachment.

New Regional Commandant Takes the Helm in London & South East Group Captain (Designate) Kevin Walton has been appointed as the new Regional Commandant for the London and South East Region of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets, effective 9 October 2024. https://lnkd.in/ee9FtU2S Group Captain Walton shared his enthusiasm for the new role, stating, "I am delighted to be appointed Regional Commandant for the London and South East Region of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets." His journey with the Air Cadets began in Greater Manchester, where he was an active cadet and even achieved the milestone of flying solo in a motor glider at the age of 16. This early passion for aviation led him to a distinguished career in the Royal Air Force, serving for 18 years in air traffic control roles across the UK and in operational tours to the Middle East, including Iraq and Afghanistan. Even during his military service, his commitment to the Air Cadets remained strong, volunteering as a part-time instructor with various Volunteer Gliding Squadrons and leading adventurous training expeditions for cadets. Following his regular service, Group Captain Walton transitioned to the civilian sector, holding operational leadership positions in logistics and aviation at Gatwick and Heathrow Airports. However, his dedication to service led him back to the Royal Air Force as a full-time reserve officer in 2020, where he has been instrumental in leading the Windfarm Mitigation Programme for Air Defence Radar. "I know how much fun air cadets activities are and how being a cadet or staff member makes a huge difference to people's lives," expressed Group Captain Walton, reflecting on his own experiences. "For me, the opportunities for adventurous training, along with flying solo in a motorglider as a 16-year-old cadet, led directly to my life-long love of flying and the outdoors, not to mention a hugely enjoyable Royal Air Force and civilian career." As he prepares to take on his new role, Group Captain Walton is enthusiastic about the future of the Air Cadets in the London and South East Region. "This is an exciting time as we continue to modernise and maximise the opportunities we offer," he remarked. "I’m eagerly looking forward to meeting our enthusiastic cadets and to meeting and working with the many passionate and dedicated permanent and volunteer staff that make this all possible. I can’t wait to get started!" Group Captain Walton's extensive experience, combined with his deep-rooted connection to the Air Cadets, makes him an exceptional choice for Regional Commandant. We extend our warmest congratulations and wish him every success in his new role.

Air Cadets take flight in repair skills at Macclesfield Repair Cafe Forget throwing out that quirky toaster or the lamp in need of a second wind! A group of eco-conscious cadets from 201 (Macclesfield) Squadron RAF Air Cadets took to the skies – of repair skills, that is! The Macclesfield Repair Cafe, held every second Saturday of the month from 10am to 2pm at Duke Street Community Centre, empowers people with the knowledge and tools to extend the lifespan of their belongings. The other weekend, the cafe welcomed a group of enthusiastic cadets for a unique learning experience. Civilian Instructor Anders Timms and Sgt Bill Martin from the Macclesfield RAF Air Cadets, watched with pride as the cadets tackled a variety of challenges. "It's fantastic to see their determination as they put their new skills to the test, from investigating and diagnosing faults to problem-solving and reassembly," he said. "I might even have a go myself next time!" Across the tables, a flurry of activity unfolded. One cadet meticulously assembled a birdbox, while another tackled a more complex challenge: replacing a laptop's hard drive and cleaning its dusty fan, all under the guidance of a Repair Cafe volunteer. "I never knew fixing something like this could be achievable," the cadet admitted with a sense of accomplishment. Meanwhile, another pair of cadets tackled a faulty table lamp. Armed with a test meter and guided by a volunteer, they followed troubleshooting steps with detective-like focus. Their efforts were rewarded with a triumphant grin as they identified a missing fuse and loose wire, and then successfully brought the lamp back to life. The Repair Cafe's philosophy goes beyond saving money. "We're about reducing waste and teaching younger generations the value of repair over replacement," explains David Smith, one of the cafe's organisers. "It's about making the most of our limited resources." The cafe fosters a collaborative environment where experienced volunteers share their knowledge and learn from the diverse items brought in for repair. The cadets were the first youth group to participate, and their resounding "Yes!" when asked if they'd return is a testament to the program's success. The cafe plans to welcome many more such groups in the future. So, the next time you're tempted to toss something away, head down to the Macclesfield Repair Cafe – you might just be surprised by what can be achieved with a little know-how and teamwork! Contact David at repaircafe.macc@gmail.com for more about repair skills for young people or for volunteering at Macclesfield Repair Café. Photo credit: Macclesfield Nub News

Air Cadet Conquers 3 Peaks Challenge In an inspiring display of determination and resilience, Air Cadet Sophie Mackenney has achieved an incredible feat by completing the gruelling 3 Peaks Challenge in under 24 hours. This remarkable accomplishment has not only showcased her physical and mental strength but has also significantly surpassed her fundraising goal. The 3 Peaks Challenge involves climbing the highest mountains in England, Scotland, and Wales – Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis, and Snowdon – within a 24-hour period. Sophie, a 16-year-old cadet from 1064 (Honiton) Squadron in East Devon, took on this daunting task with unwavering determination. Sophie's initial fundraising target was £500, but her efforts have raised an impressive £3,115 to date for her squadron. Her journey was supported by a team of former military personnel, including climbers James and her dad Mac, who is ex-RAF, and driver ‘Aitch’. The support extended beyond her immediate team, with celebrities like Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Bear Grylls, and Charley Boorman cheering her on. Sophie completed the challenge in 23 hours and 16 minutes, enduring over 10,000 feet of climbing, 462 miles of driving, and 18 miles of trekking. Her dad, Mac, expressed immense pride in her achievement, highlighting her fitness, strength, and determination. He described the emotional moment of reaching the summit of Ben Nevis together, the highest mountain in the UK. Sophie's story has garnered attention in local newspapers and on DEVON RADIO LTD. Her achievements extend beyond the 3 Peaks Challenge, as she has also undertaken aerobatic flights, jump seat flights, and driven military vehicles. She has completed a fitness instructor course, attended camps, and gained her Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award. Sophie's ultimate goal is to join the RAF as a pilot after finishing school. Sophie's incredible journey serves as an inspiration to many, demonstrating the power of determination and the importance of setting ambitious goals. Her success in the 3 Peaks Challenge is a testament to her resilience and dedication, and her future in the RAF looks promising. Visit https://lnkd.in/eV-pGenA if you want to sponsor Sophie.