1137 "City of Belfast" Squadron RAFAC

02/08/2026

✈️ LESS THAN 6 WEEKS TO GO — FREE ENTRY, NO TICKET REQUIRED!

SATURDAY 12 & SUNDAY 13 SEPTEMBER 2026 | 10am–5.30pm
Maze Long Kesh, 94 Halftown Road, Lisburn, BT27 5RF

Probably Northern Ireland’s biggest European Heritage Open Days' attraction is returning to the Ulster Aviation Society — and everyone is welcome.

A record-breaking 7,200+ people joined us during EHOD 2025. This year, bring your family and friends to explore our two authentic Second World War aircraft hangars and discover:

✈️ Many of our 55+ aircraft (including new Harrier jump-jet and Sea King helicopter), vehicles, with indoor and outdoor displays
🎮 7 x state-of-the-art Flight simulators and six VR headsets
🎖️ Wartime Living History Association will also be on display as WWII re-enactors
📸 A planned appearance from the Star Wars 501st Legion Northern Ireland
🎶 Rock Choir NI over the weekend
☕ On-site food, drinks and treats
🚗 Extensive FREE car parking
♿ Wheelchair friendly
🚻 Disabled toilets available
👶 Baby-changing facility in the disabled toilets
🦮 Guide dogs permitted.
📶 FREE Guest Wi-Fi on 1.6Gb Fibre Broadband

There is no need to pre-book. Just arrive at Gate 3 and enjoy a memorable family day out where history has wings.

📍 Ulster Aviation Society
via Gate 3, Maze Long Kesh
94 Halftown Road
Lisburn, BT27 5RF

Full visitor information:
https://www.ulsteraviationsociety.org/event/european-heritage-open-day-saturday-12-sept

Who are you bringing? Tag them below — and please SHARE this post to help us spread the word.

With and

Visit Lisburn Castlereagh Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council

01/08/2026

31/07/2026

BREAKING NEWS!

Interested in joining as a Cadet or Adult Volunteer? Keep reading!

1137 Sqn Commanding Officer, Flt Lt Duncan Baxter, is excited to announce our next recruiting date. Saturday 29th August 2026.

This event is open to any young person aged 12-17 and in, or going into, year 9 at school. All you have to do is follow our page and send us an email to [email protected] , message our FB or Instagram pages clearly stating your name, age and an email address or go to https://www.raf.mod.uk/aircadets/find-a-squadron/ look us up and complete the contact form.

We will reply with joining instructions and answer any questions you may have.

Our catchment area covers all of greater Belfast.

Adult volunteers are also priority for us and we always welcome support in delivering our broad range of activities. If you have skills in STEM, outdoor activities, radios, E-Sports, or a wide array of other activities that are relevant to the Air Cadets, or have none but have the enthusiasm to learn new skills and get stuck in and help young people then we are also looking for you!

Don’t delay, contact us today!

29/07/2026

The Nijmegen Marches 2026 took place in Holland last week, running from Tuesday to Friday. 99 cadets from RAFAC took part with Cadet Warrant Officer Carswell representing 1137 Squadron.

The Vierdaagse is the world largest marching event, having been running since 1909, involving both civilian and military participants from across the world, with around 45.000 participants in 2026. Participants who complete all four days are awarded the Dutch Vierdaagsekruis medal and the RAFAC cadets are also awarded their Nijmegen badge for completion of the walk. The cadets complete a rigourous training period with multiple marches getting them up to the required stamina to take part.

Lets let the Warrant Officer describe it in his own words!

"The marches were absolutely amazing. The atmosphere was surreal and the whole 160km was just one massive party. The whole road was filled with spectators, live music, free food and 47,000 thousand other walkers.

It took a lot of preparation to be firstly selected but also physically capable to attend this awesome event. Lots of commitment and dedication was required as there were many weekends away spent at Aldergrove or days down at the Holywood coastal path as practice. But overall they were all worth it in the end!"

28/07/2026

26/07/2026

25/07/2026