London & South East Region Air Cadets

04/06/2026

04/06/2026

⭐️VOLUNTEERS’ WEEK 2026 ⭐️

The next Cadet Adult Volunteer we highlight is Officer Commanding 54 (Eastbourne) Squadron, Flying Officer Luke Williams.

Fg Off Williams has been an ever present volunteer at 54 Squadron since becoming a Civilian Instructor in 2021. Since then, Luke passed his SNCO board and was a Sergeant for 18 months before commissioning and eventually taking command as OC 54.

When asked what volunteering means to him, he said:

Supporting cadets in becoming valued members of society. Giving them not just the great experiences I had as a cadet but bigger and better ones. Volunteering for me isn’t just about delivering the cadet experience, as an OC I want to build amazing teams of dedicated volunteers who feel appreciated, supported and empowered in delivering the cadet experience growing our amazing organisation.

04/06/2026

⭐️VOLUNTEERS’ WEEK 2026 ⭐️

This week is Volunteers’ Week, and we’re highlighting some of the many dedicated volunteers from across Sussex Wing.

We’re starting with our Officer Commanding Sussex Wing, Wing Commander Mantoura.

Wg Cdr Mantoura has held a variety of roles throughout his many years of volunteering with the Air Cadets, serving in other Wings, at HQ Air Cadets, and most recently joining

We asked him what volunteering means to him:
“Being a volunteer in Sussex Wing is about making a difference. Every day, our volunteers give their time, skills and experience to help young people develop confidence, resilience and leadership through the Royal Air Force Air Cadets.

Whether supporting activities behind the scenes, delivering training, or mentoring cadets, our volunteers help create opportunities that can shape lives for years to come. During Volunteers’ Week, I’d like to say a sincere thank you to every volunteer across Sussex Wing. Your dedication, commitment and service make everything we do possible.”

04/06/2026

25/05/2026

The first National Cadet Week in October 2026 will celebrate the cadet forces, one of the country's most effective youth organisations.

-The first National Cadet Week in October 2026 will celebrate the cadet forces, one of the country’s most effective youth organisations.

-A new Cadets Action Plan will set out the government’s long-term vision for the cadet forces
The initiative will help deliver on the Strategic Defence Review’s demand for a whole-of-society approach to defence.

-Tens of thousands of young people across the UK will have the opportunity to discover the cadet forces as the government announces the first ever National Cadets Week, taking place from 5-11 October 2026.

The week will celebrate the UK’s cadet community – one of the country’s most effective youth organisations – and the tens of thousands of young people and adult volunteers who make the cadets a success.

Throughout the week, cadet units across the UK will open their doors to schools, families, and local communities. Cadets and volunteers will take part in outreach activities, delivering presentations to schools and places of work to raise awareness of the programme.

With a strong focus on first aid training, activities will showcase the opportunities available, and inspire new cadets, attract new volunteers, and demonstrate how cadet experiences help prepare young people for adult life.

As part of the Strategic Defence Review’s whole-of-society approach to defence, National Cadets Week aims to deepen the bond between the Armed Forces and communities across the UK.

Under the Government’s ‘30 by 30’ campaign launched in August 2025, the MOD is expanding cadet opportunities for a new generation of young people – boosting the cadet forces by 30% by 2030.

This will deliver over 40,000 more cadets across the UK, supporting the government’s commitment to break down the barriers holding back Britain’s young people.

Boosting the whole-of-society approach to national resilience, the week will celebrate the dedicated network of adult volunteers who lead local cadet groups.

Through the cadets, young people develop essential life skills, including leadership, teamwork, and resilience, taking part in activities ranging from adventurous training and fieldcraft to flying, sailing, and gaining Civil Aviation Authority-endorsed drone qualifications.

Participants can also work towards nationally recognised qualifications, including BTECs, first aid certifications and The Duke of Edinburgh Award.

The Cadets Action Plan will support the growth of the cadet forces, helping more young people to progress into careers in the Armed Forces, public services, and wider defence sector, while strengthening national resilience.

16/05/2026

Another successful Middlesex wing d of e expedition complete. This time, 37 cadets complete either their bronze assessed or silver practice expedition along with some cadets achieving their Bronze NNAS Award.

Thank you to all the staff who supported the expedition across the weekend.

25/04/2026

Today, 6 CFAVs and 2 cadets successfully completed the Paddle UK Paddlesport Safety & Rescue Course — often the first step on the pathway to becoming paddlesport instructors. It was fantastic to see representation from every wing across the region.

We also made great use of our new “home” for courses, Hawley Lake, with plenty of regional paddlesport equipment out in action for the first time at this venue. Combined with great weather and an awesome location, it made for a truly memorable day.

A huge thank you to Fg Off Scott Chamberlain and WO Levitt for delivering the course, and to Middlesex Wing Committee for funding membership and use of the lake. .

Running alongside this, we also held an Intro to Paddlesport session, where 2 staff and 2 cadets achieved their Paddle UK Explore Award — a great achievement all round!

Fantastic people, great weather, awesome venue — what more could you ask for?

23/04/2026

Happy St Georges Day to all Cadets and Adult Volunteers of London and South East Region

21/04/2026

20/04/2026

This weekend saw 148 personnel from across LaSER traveling to Lydd to complete the LaSER 2 day march achieving silver and some qualifying for Nijmegen. With a parallel bronze course and RMTL assessments. 95 completed the march 80 first timers receiving medals and silver badges, 15 returners, 17 bronze badges and 3 new RMTLs. All supported by a excellent staff team of 32 across LaSER