2056 Knutsford Squadron Air Training Corps - Royal Air Force Air Cadets

09/11/2026

Yesterday, Knutsford came together to remember the sacrifices of servicemen and women in various conflicts. Led, as always, by the squadron band, the cadets' turn-out was impeccable, and the service was the perfect opportunity to pay our respects.

Thanks go to Knutsford & District Branch Royal British Legion, the Knutsford Rotary Club and Knutsford Town Council for enabling the parade and the acts of Remembrance.

It goes without saying that the unit staff, and Officer Commanding 2056 Squadron were incredibly proud.

Sector 3 - Greater Manchester Wing ATC | Greater Manchester Wing - Air Training Corps | North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets | Royal Air Force Air Cadets | | | | |

03/11/2026

As we move toward Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day later this month, our focus has shifted towards community work at 2056 (Knutsford). Over the past week, you may have seen our cadets across Knutsford, volunteering their free time to work with the Royal British Legion to raise money for the Poppy Appeal, supporting veterans and their families. We are immensely proud of our cadets for their hard work and commitment to supporting the armed forces community.

Sector 3 - Greater Manchester Wing ATC | Greater Manchester Wing - Air Training Corps | North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets | Royal Air Force Air Cadets | Commandant Air Cadets | | | | |

10/10/2026

🎉 And that's a wrap on 2026! 🎉

There are over 137,000 cadets across the UK and its dependencies, and more than 28,000 Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, delivering training and working tirelessly behind the scenes. This week has been about them, the value of the Cadet Forces and the benefits they provide for everyone, including our volunteers, cadets, friends, families and local communities.

This week has been a fantastic chance for us to celebrate the amazing things our cadets get up to, the skills they learn, as well as the amazing volunteers who make it all happen! Here's to 2027!

Sector 3 - Greater Manchester Wing ATC | Greater Manchester Wing - Air Training Corps | North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets | Royal Air Force Air Cadets | Royal Air Force | Ministry of Defence | | |

09/10/2026

🔧 National Cadets Week Day 5 - Skills for Life! 🔧

Cadets learn all sorts of things within RAFAC, however what cannot be ignored is the practical life-skills our cadets benefit from as a result of their time within the Cadet Forces. We pride ourself in delivering high-quality practical training in all aspects of the cadet experience, from personal admin and self-discipline, uniform maintenance and organisational skills, to technical competence with our STEM syllabus, confidence built from years of leadership training and the ability to work as a team.

More and more employers are recognising the benefits of hiring former cadets and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, due to the practical skills they gain within the cadets. Cadets are found to have significantly improved future prospects than non cadets, particularly in the workplace, where they are regularly cited for their high-levels of competence and soft-skills.

It's not just a after-school club you're joining, it's the foundation for your future!

Sector 3 - Greater Manchester Wing ATC | Greater Manchester Wing - Air Training Corps | North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets | Royal Air Force Air Cadets | Royal Air Force | Ministry of Defence | | | | | | | |

08/10/2026

In the spirit of , and recognising our amazing volunteers, the unit wishes to congratulate CI Pester on receiving a certificate of service last week.

Having given over twelve years to the RAFAC as a volunteer, five of those being at 2056 (Knutsford) Squadron, CI Pester's commitment has been unwavering and consistent throughout this period.

We are enormously proud of you sir!

Sector 3 - Greater Manchester Wing ATC | Greater Manchester Wing - Air Training Corps | North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets | Royal Air Force Air Cadets | | | |

🐝 ⭐️ GMW IS BEEING BRILLIANT ⭐️ 🐝

Last Week, Greater Manchester Wing hosted our Bi-Annual presentation evening at Peninsula Barracks in Warrington, where Cadets & Adult Volunteers have received awards in recognition of their service to the RAF Air Cadets.

📜 3 Cadet Forces Commissions.
🎖️4 Cadet Forces Medals with 4 Staff receiving Clasps.
🌟4 Civilian Awards for 12 Years’ Long Service.
🏆 20 Commandant RAFAC Commendations for Meritorious Service.
🐝 5 OC Wing’s Commendations.

We was pleased to welcome HM Lord-Lieutenant of Cheshire, Lady Redmond MBE CStJ, as our Guest of Honour, who assisted with presenting our Awards.

A HUGE congratulations to all our Award Recipients, and for everything you to to make your Squadrons & Our Wing 🐝 👏🏼

nwrfca
aircadets
Commandant Air Cadets
North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets

08/10/2026

🎗️ National Cadets Week Day 4 - Cadets Save Lives! 🎗️

First Aid training is one of the most important skills we teach to our cadets. Every month, our cadets receive specialist current first aid training, as well as first aid exercises, overseen by our unit staff team.

This is not like other training... The lessons our cadets take from these sessions have real impacts across the UK, in their personal lives, those of their families and in the community. The skills our cadets gain save lives.

At the heart of this training is Cdt FS Fallows, our squadron First Aid Officer. Having joined the unit four years ago with no working first aid knowledge, he has gone on to gain extensive first aid qualifications, learning theoretical and practical first aid skills, but that's not all! Earlier this year, Fallows completed the RAFAC's premier first aid course, where he not only brushed up on his knowledge, but learned about how to teach young people the vital first aid skills he has since gained in the Air Cadets.

He is now tasked with delivering first aid training both on squadron, and locally, at a sector level, where he can help teach and inspire the next generation of first aiders!

Sector 3 - Greater Manchester Wing ATC | Greater Manchester Wing - Air Training Corps | North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets | Royal Air Force Air Cadets | Royal Air Force | Ministry of Defence | | | | | | | | |

07/10/2026

🔦 National Cadets Week Day 3 - Volunteer Spotlight! 🔦

Meet Sergeant Arnold, a manager at a gas cylinder distribution company and our unit's Senior Non-Commissioned Officer!

Sergeant Arnold is at the core of the cadet experience here at Knutsford Squadron. Joining the unit in 2022 as a Civilian Instructor, he quickly went into uniform and was crucial in keeping the unit running post COVID. Since then, he has received specialised training in weapons handling and shooting, first aid, ceremonial drill and road marching.

Shen asked, he had this to say about his time volunteering:

"Volunteering within the RAFAC is both challenging and rewarding. As a cadet, I didn't appreciate how much dedication our volunteers had or how much effort they put in, utilising evening and weekends for a purpose greater than themselves.

This year alone, I have been successful and earned some of the tougher qualifications the RAFAC has to offer, becoming a Skill at Arms Instructor and a Drill Instructor. Both have pushed me beyond my comfort zone and I have developed as an individual, becoming more skilled and resilient.

The rewarding aspect is teaching and having some influence and guidance on developing our cadets to become more skilled and self-confident. Often cadets don't see their progress, but as a staff member I see it, and it's why I volunteer."

Sergeant Arnold is a staple of the staff team and can almost always be found in the heart of the action, running courses, assisting with training and delivering excellent experiences for our cadets both on squadron in the local area. His contributions to delivering cadet training are second to none, and he always does it with a smile on his face! We couldn't do any of this without him!

Sector 3 - Greater Manchester Wing ATC | Greater Manchester Wing - Air Training Corps | North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets | Royal Air Force Air Cadets | Royal Air Force | Ministry of Defence | | | | | | |

* Cadets are taught weapons handling skills as part of a structured programme of supervised training that emphasises safe and responsible use *

06/10/2026

🫂 National Cadets Week Day 2 - Cadets in the Community! 🫂

The cadet forces place a large emphasis on their connection to local communities. We at 2056 (Knutsford) Squadron have a strong relationship with Knutsford and its residents, and we instil the importance of this to our cadets. Enabling our cadets to give back to the residents of Knutsford not only strengthens the bond between the two, but also gives our young people the opportunity to directly impact the lives of their friends, family and members of the public.

We proudly enable our cadets to get involved in community engagement opportunities in various ways. From the Cancer Research UK Race for Life to the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, from grave cleaning to litter picking, our cadets dive in with determination and a can-do attitude!

Next time you're in public, keep an eye out for them, and if you would like for us to assist with events, give us an email at [email protected].

Sector 3 - Greater Manchester Wing ATC | Greater Manchester Wing - Air Training Corps | North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets | Royal Air Force Air Cadets | Ministry of Defence | Royal Air Force | | | | | |

05/10/2026

💥 It's National Cadets Week! 💥

Keep an eye out for us this week, as we'll be celebrating the amazing successes of our cadets and volunteers, looking at how the skills gained in the RAFAC benefit the UK!

Sector 3 - Greater Manchester Wing ATC | Greater Manchester Wing - Air Training Corps | North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets | Royal Air Force Air Cadets | | | |

25/09/2026

🎖 Wing Training Day 2026 🎖

Aaaaaaaand the results are in! After competing at Greater Manchester Wing's annual Training Day last weekend, our cadets have been ranked amongst the other units in the wing. Results for the competition are as follows:

👞 Foot Drill - 6th
🇬🇧 Banner Drill - 6th
🗣 Foot Drill NCO - 7th
💂‍♂️ Overall Drill - 5th

📷 Media - 17th
⚕️ First Aid -22nd
🏹 Archery - 20th
🪖 Leadership - 25th
🎯 Shooting Competition - 6th

2056 (Knutsford) Squadron finished 11th out of 33 squadrons, demonstrating a fantastic effort once again.

This represents the culmination of months of training and preparation for our cadets, and we could not be more proud of them for their hard work! Congratulations TEAM2056, let's do even better next year!

Sector 3 - Greater Manchester Wing ATC | Greater Manchester Wing - Air Training Corps | North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets | Royal Air Force Air Cadets | | | | | |