2496 Cumbernauld Squadron - RAF Air Cadets

24/01/2026

🔧🚀 STEM Night at 2496 Squadron!

This week at 2496 Squadron RAF Air Cadets, our cadets got hands-on with a STEM building lesson—designing, building, problem-solving, and working as a team.

Brilliant creativity on show and some cracking builds 👏
STEM skills in action! 💡🛠️

19/01/2026

✈️ Tonight at 2496 Squadron ✈️

This evening our cadets were busy developing key skills as they learned how to identify different aircraft’s and were guided through navigating their Cadet Portal 💻

Great engagement from everyone, with cadets gaining confidence in recognising aircraft types and making the most of the online tools available to them. Another productive and informative parade night 👏

08/01/2026

❄️ First parade night of 2026 at 2496 Squadron and the snow decided to make an appearance!
Cold weather won’t stop us — commitment, teamwork, and spirit as strong as ever.
Here’s to a brilliant year ahead! ✈️💙

❄️💪

06/01/2026

Behind every confident cadet is a dedicated Cadet Force Adult Volunteer (CFAV) giving their time, energy, and passion to make a difference. Their commitment stretches far beyond parade nights, shaping young people through guidance, encouragement, and leadership.

Do you know a CFAV who consistently goes the extra mile and has a lasting impact within their unit and the wider community?

You can help recognise their dedication by nominating them for the Cadet Adult Instructor of the Year Award ⭐

👉 Submit a nomination using the link in the post below ⬇️

⭐ NEW award for 2026! ⭐

Cadet Adult Instructor of the Year Award

This award recognises an outstanding individual who serves as a Cadet Instructor within the Army Cadet Force (ACF), Combined Cadet Force (CCF), Air Cadets, Navy Cadets or Royal Marine Cadets across Scotland. Nominees should display a strong sense of duty, passion for youth development, and a positive influence both within their unit and the wider community. Whether through innovative training methods, building strong community links, or simply leading by example, this award celebrates the remarkable individuals shaping our future leaders.

If you know someone that fits the bill In Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 please nominate them here 👇

https://veteransawards.co.uk/scottish-veterans-awards/scottish-veterans-awards-categories/

Highland Reserve Forces and Cadets Association Lowland Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Association

01/01/2026

✨🎆 Happy New Year! 🎆✨

Wishing everyone a happy, healthy, and successful New Year from all at 2496 Squadron.

Here’s to new opportunities, achievements, and great memories ahead! 🎉✈️

24/12/2025

🎄 Merry Christmas from all at 2496 Squadron 🎄

Wishing everyone a joyful Christmas filled with warmth, peace, and happiness.
Thank you to our staff, cadets, families, and supporters for an amazing year — here’s to a bright and successful year ahead! ✨

19/12/2025

📣Thinking about volunteering in 2026? 👀

Join the staff team at 2496 (Cumbernauld) Squadron RAF Air Cadets.

✔️ No experience required
✔️ Full training provided
✔️ Make a real difference locally

📩📲 Get in touch to learn more.

16/12/2025

…….and that’s a wrap for 2025! 🏁

We are incredibly proud of our Cadet Achievements between August – December 2025 👏✈️

From First Aid, Music, Cyber and Space, to Road Marching, Leadership, DofE, Camps and Promotions, the commitment, effort and teamwork shown by our cadets has been outstanding.

🏕️ Camps attended across Wing, Regional and National level
🎓 Qualifications achieved across multiple skill sets
📸 Regional Photography – 1st Place 🥇
❤️ Over £2000 raised for Poppy Scotland
⬆️ Congratulations to our newly promoted Cadet Corporals

This is what hard work, determination and teamwork looks like. 🤩💪🏼
Well done to every cadet — you should be extremely proud! 👏🏼💙

From all of us at 2496 Sqn, we’d like to wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas 🎅🎄 and a Happy New Year 🎆✨ Enjoy the break, relax, stay safe, and we’ll see everyone back in 2026 ready for a fantastic year ahead 🚀💫

14/12/2025

CI Sweeney and Sgt Higgins attended today’s Risk Assessment Training Course, enhancing their knowledge and skills to support effective decision-making and operational safety.

02/12/2025

Huge shoutout to our cadets for smashing Blue Space! 🚀🔥

🪐Why Blue Space Matters for Air Cadets🛰️

Completing Blue Space builds core STEM skills, boosts confidence, and marks an important achievement in a cadet’s training. It sparks interest in space and aerospace, encourages teamwork, and opens the door to more advanced space qualifications. It shows dedication and a commitment to getting the most out of the cadet experience.

02/12/2025

👏 Well done to our Cadets for completing their Youth First Aid course!

First aid is such an important skill to have—being able to help someone in an emergency can change the outcome entirely. You’ve all shown great teamwork, great attitude, and a real commitment to learning lifesaving skills. 💪🩹

26/11/2025

Staying Safe in the Cold: Essential Tips for Air Cadets

Cold weather brings unique challenges, especially during outdoor training, but with the right preparation you can stay warm, alert, and safe. Air Cadets follow a multi-layered approach to cold-weather safety that focuses on smart planning, the right kit, and knowing when to take a break.

✔️ Dress in Layers
Layering is your best defence against the cold. Use a moisture-wicking base layer, an insulating mid-layer, and a windproof/waterproof outer layer. Don’t forget a hat and gloves—most heat is lost through your head and hands.

✔️ Keep Dry & Stay Hydrated
Wet clothing loses heat fast. Swap out damp layers as needed, and remember to drink regularly—even in cold weather, dehydration increases your risk of cold injury.

✔️ Know When to Warm Up
Training includes scheduled warming breaks based on temperature and wind chill. If you start feeling excessively cold, numb, or fatigued, speak up early. Staying warm is always more important than “pushing through.”

✔️ Watch for Cold-Related Injuries
Hypothermia and non-freezing cold injuries can develop quickly. Look out for numbness, tingling, pale skin, slurred speech, or confusion—in yourself and others.

✔️ Be Trained & Prepared
All staff and cadets must complete mandatory cold injury training. Understanding the risks and prevention techniques keeps everyone safe.

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Staying safe isn’t about being tough—it’s about being prepared. With the right kit, awareness, and teamwork, cold-weather training can be both safe and rewarding. Stay warm out there! ❄️🔥

For more information take a look at a great read by Cadet Direct
https://www.cadetdirect.com/expedition-first-aid-training

Scotland & Northern Ireland Region Royal Air Force Air Cadets