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Monday 7:15pm - 9:30pm Thursday 7:15pm - 9:30pm

281 Southport Squadron Royal Air Force Air Cadets

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281 Southport Squadron Royal Air Force Air Cadets

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Welcome to 281 (Southport) Sqn ATC. Check back here for updates and news on what the squadron is getting up to.

Merseyside Wing Air Cadets , North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets Officer Commanding: Flight Lieutenant Michael Molyneux RAFAC
The aim of this page is to show the parents/guardians of cadets and the local community what we are about, all of the activities we partake in and to inform about any news and events.

08/10/2026

🇬🇧 NATIONAL CADETS WEEK 2026 🇬🇧

This week is National Cadets Week — a chance to celebrate the incredible opportunities, experiences and friendships that being a cadet can bring, while recognising the commitment of the young people and adult volunteers who make the Cadet Forces what they are.

Here at 281 (Southport) Squadron RAF Air Cadets, we asked our staff and cadets a simple question:

“Why did you join?” 💙

The answers are as varied as the people who make up our squadron.

For some, it was the opportunity to learn new skills.
For others, it was the challenge, adventure and activities.
Some joined to make new friends, build confidence or push themselves outside their comfort zone.

And for our staff, it’s about giving something back, supporting young people and helping the next generation discover what they’re capable of.

Whatever the reason for joining, one thing is clear…

Being a cadet is about so much more than wearing a uniform. ✈️

It’s about confidence, teamwork, leadership, resilience, friendship and experiences that can last a lifetime.

So, this National Cadets Week, we’re celebrating our cadets, our volunteers and everything that makes 281 Squadron special. 💙

Why did YOU join? 👇

Merseyside Wing Air Cadets
Commandant Air Cadets
North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets

20/09/2026

Another busy weekend for 281! ✈️

Yesterday, our cadets were out on Chapel Street collecting for the Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA), supporting the fantastic work they do for the RAF family.

Later that evening, our Drill & Banner Teams were back at squadron, busy preparing uniforms, polishing shoes and getting everything ready for Wing Competition Day. They even got treated to a well-deserved Chinese by the staff team! 🥡😂

Then today it was time for Wing Competition Day, with over 25 squadrons from across Merseyside Wing coming together to compete in Banner and Foot Drill.

Everything was performed from memory, with precision, discipline and plenty of squadron pride. While today wasn’t quite in our favour competitively, that certainly didn’t stop our cadets from showing just how far they’ve come since last year.

The improvement, confidence and foundations they have built over the past year are clear to see, and they should be incredibly proud of themselves. The important thing is that they keep building, keep learning and keep pushing forward. 💙

And as you can see from some of the pictures… it definitely wore a few of them out! 🤣🤣

A massive well done to every single one of you who took part.

Another weekend, another proud team at 281 (Southport) Squadron RAF Air Cadets. 💙✈️

281 — Proud to be part of it

19/09/2026

🇬🇧 281 Squadron are on Chapel Street today! 🇬🇧

Our cadets are out and about collecting for the Royal Air Forces Association (RAFA), helping to support the fantastic work they do for the RAF family.

💙 What does RAFA do?
The Royal Air Forces Association provides lifelong support to serving and former RAF personnel and their families. From practical and financial assistance to friendship, welfare support and helping combat loneliness, RAFA is there for those who have served and their families when they need it.

📍 Chapel Street, Southport
⏰ Our cadets will be there until 2pm

So if you’re passing, come along and say hi! 👋

And if you’ve got some spare change, please consider dropping it into the collection bucket. Every donation, no matter how small, helps support the RAF family. 💙

Thank you for your support! 🇬🇧✈️

14/09/2026

🇬🇧 Battle of Britain Parade – Chester 🇬🇧

Our cadets were privileged to join cadets from across Merseyside Wing at the annual Battle of Britain Parade through the centre of historic Chester.

It was a fantastic day of remembrance, pride and camaraderie as we joined together to honour the courage and sacrifice of those who fought in the Battle of Britain.

This year’s parade was made even more special following the recent awarding of the Freedom of the Borough of Chester to Merseyside Wing.

Being granted this honour is a true testament to the high regard in which the Royal Air Force Air Cadets, and particularly Merseyside Wing, are held within the local community.

A proud day for our cadets, our squadron and the wider Wing. 🇬🇧✈️

Lest we forget.

12/09/2026

Here’s a little more “work in progress” with our drum group.

After a short break due to holidays they’re back and practicing hard!

Watch this space for more on music in the comings weeks 🎉🎶

31/08/2026

We’ve been featured on the weekly “RAFAC review”

Once again thank you to everyone who came to Southport Airshow and especially those who bought programmes or gave a donation.

We’re having a well earned night off ready to get back on Thursday.

We will be shortly revealing our next intake night later today so watch this space 👀✈️

30/08/2026

It’s day 2 of Southport Air Show and the sun is out! Fingers crossed it stays ☀️☀️

Our cadets are at all entrances with programmes printed by the fantastic local Replica Print Southport

We even managed a cheeky picture with Southport Town Crier Kevin Ruane MBE

29/08/2026

Our cadets and volunteer team are at Southport Air Show this weekend selling programmes and also showing off our immersive tech.

More importantly from every programme you buy, our cadets get a percentage of the sale price.

Make sure to say hello

23/08/2026

Last night members of our cadet force adult volunteer team CFAVS attended the Merseyside Wing Annual Dining In, held at Liverpool Masonic hall. 🍾

The Wing Dinner is a chance for CFAVs from across the wing to meet and let their hair down, and celebrate the important role they play in shaping the cadet experience.

Pictured L-R

Mrs J. Provost, CI Phil Harris, CI Reece Mercer, Flt. Lt Micheal Molyneux, Mr Ryan Williams, CI Tom Hodgin & CI Neil Walsh

OC Merseyside Wing RAFAC
Merseyside Wing Air Cadets
North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets
RFCA for the North West of England & the Isle of Man

16/08/2026

Think Air Cadets is just a Monday - Friday Hobby ?

This weekend we’ve had a small group of cadets representing our squadron at a small VJ Memorial service in the town centre, standing alongside veterans of all ages and 3 of our cadets proudly holding the standards during the service.

The weekend also saw three of our cadets undertake their silver leadership award enabling them to become effective leaders within our wing.

Well done to all this weekend who proudly represented our squadron and again being a firm part of our community in Southport

OC Merseyside Wing RAFAC
Merseyside Wing Air Cadets

Address

St Peter's School, Upper Aughton Road
Southport
PR85NH

Opening Hours

Monday	7:15pm - 9:30pm
Thursday	7:15pm - 9:30pm

Telephone

01704 550393

Website

https://www.raf.mod.uk/aircadets/

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