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Tunbridge Wells Air Cadets - 129 Sqn

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Tunbridge Wells Air Cadets - 129 Sqn

129 (Tunbridge Wells) is an Air Cadet Squadron for young people between 12 (& in year 8) and 20. We The maximum age for new members is 17 years old.

129 (Tunbridge Wells) is an Air Cadet Squadron open to young people between 12 and 20 years old. We meet at the AR Centre on St. Johns Road every Tuesday and Thursday evenings between 7.00pm and 9.30pm. Activities available include Adventure Training, Aeronautical Studies, Drill, Sport, Duke of Edinburgh Award, Shooting, Flying, Gliding and Kayaking. All Cadets also have the opportunity to undertake RAF, Adventure Training and International Camps.

05/05/2026

Recently, 26 of our new cadets attended our Basic Adventure Training Weekend at Comp Wood. Supported by Cadet NCOs and Staff from 129 Squadron and Kent Wing, the cadets learned everything from navigation, tents and emergency procedures to using trangia stoves to heat up their MoD ration pack food!

The great facilities at Comp Wood also allowed us to run some archery as a bonus activity.

16/03/2026

Exercise Blue Thunder 26-1

Last weekend, the squadron’s latest recruits took part in our biannual basic training event known as Exercise Blue Thunder.

Supported by a number of staff from 129 Squadron and Kent Wing, this event saw a grand total of 150 blue badges awarded.

Also, as mentioned in our previous post, this event marked a milestone for London and South East Region as we were the first unit in Kent, London, Middlesex, Surrey and Sussex to deliver the new RPAS-Stream blue wings syllabus.

The event is designed to prepare cadets for future RAFAC activities, as well as continuing their training in multiple Progressive Training Syllabus (PTS) subjects.

Each cadet had the opportunity to take part in the following activities:

• Radio
• Leadership
• Uniform Preparation
• Drill
• Indoor Drone Flying
• Archery
• Essential First Aid
• Flight Simulation

Well done to everyone involved, and a massive thank you to all directing staff and helper cadets for making this event happen.

15/03/2026

A first for all units in LaSER - the brand-new Blue Wings (RPAS Stream) Syllabus was rolled out for Exercise Blue Thunder 26-1 at 129 (Tunbridge Wells) Squadron, this weekend.

All thirty-seven cadets received their blue RAFAC wings following a PowerPoint on the importance of drone safety, regulations and operation - culminating in an official assessment in the form of the Civil Aviation Authority’s Flyer ID, before putting their skills to the test in a practical exercise with the squadron’s drones!

We’re looking forward to seeing the rest of the RPAS Stream syllabus in due course.

16/02/2026

Today, fifteen of our cadets had a very special day at RAF Coningsby.

The day featured an exclusive tour of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s fleet of five Spitfires, two Hurricanes, two Chipmunks and Dakota; No. 29(R) Squadron’s Eurofighter Typhoons, Air Traffic Control and the Defence Fire and Rescue Service based at the station.

An excellent day showcasing a variety of job roles in the aviation industry, both military and civilian.

02/11/2025

Last weekend, Lilham Aviation welcomed air cadets from 129 (Tunbridge Wells) Squadron to visit their private hangar and aircraft collection at Sywell Aerodrome.

Cadets were treated to both internal and external tours of two airworthy Supermarine Spitfires, one owned and operated by Lilham Aviation, the other by Suffolk Spitfire. If that wasn’t enough already, later, the hangar doors parted and one of the Spitfires, MK912, (a D-Day combat veteran) emerged for an exclusive ground display in the form of an engine run - a fantastic demonstration of the Spitfire’s famous Merlin engine.

Spitfire owners Matthew and George were also kind enough to hang around for a Q&A session with the cadets as they explained what it’s like owning, operating and maintaining these special aircraft.

A massive thank you to Matthew, George, Iain and Rob for this very well-received unique experience!

10/08/2025

Last week saw the first ever 129 Squadron Aviation Camp. The camp allowed 29 cadets to experience a variety of section visits at RAF Waddington as well as a fantastic guided tour of the famous College Hall Officers’ Mess at RAF College Cranwell. All of this whilst staying on base and utilising the superb cadet centre at RAF Wittering.

Section visits at RAF Waddington included a look around Avro Vulcan XM607, known for its involvement in Operation Black Buck; an external tour of 51 Squadron’s RC-135W Rivet Joint along with a fantastic talk with one of their Weapons System Operators; a brilliant tour of the Defence Fire & Rescue team and their capabilities and a detailed look at the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows - complete with a mini private display by Hanna!

The final day of the camp allowed for an afternoon visit to IWM Duxford to break up the journey whilst heading home to Tunbridge Wells, a great way to finish an action packed few days.

We’d like to thank all the personnel for taking the time out of their busy schedules to make this camp happen. We’d like to particularly thank the RAF Waddington, Cranwell and Wittering ACLOs.

19/05/2025

Earlier this month, we celebrated the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE Day).

This special occasion allowed many of our cadets to join in with unique celebrations and services, including CWO Brown who spent a day at Westminster Abbey before being invited to read at the VE Day concert hosted at All Saints Church, Maidstone.

09/05/2025

The weather played ball in London this morning as three of our cadets went to Buckingham Palace to celebrate achieving their Gold DofE awards!

29/04/2025

With VE80 remembrances starting soon, we want to announce a 129 event taking place this Sunday (4th May). We are having a service of rememberance and thanksgiving at Pantiles Baptist Church, TN2 5LH at 10:30 am. For those cadets and families who wish to stay, there is a barbecue afterwards. Just book your place using https://tickets.myiknowchurch.co.uk/gb/MTQ0NC05/t

Cadets who wish to attend, should sign up on Bader SMS. We are thankful that CI Holleyman and the 129 ensemble will be proving music.

21/03/2025

We are delighted to announce that after a three week Air Cadet Pilot Scholarship (ACPS) course, CWO Brown and his course mates were the first cadets to ever fly solo from RAF Cranwell!

Following a short pause in the ACPS system a few years ago, this new course allows Air Cadets to fly one of the RAF’s Elementary Flying Training aircraft - the Grob Tutor T.1. Those that make the grade are given the joy of a lifetime to experience flying a powered aircraft solo for the first time!

You may have already seen on our feed, but it’s worth noting again, CWO Brown is no stranger to flying solo: In November last year, he flew solo several times in the Grob Viking whilst on his Gliding Scholarship at RAF Syerston. A massive congratulations to him following both of these achievements!

This is a fantastic reminder to any young person looking at joining the RAF Air Cadets that the opportunities you can come across are very much unique, to say the least!

Address

AR Centre, St Johns Road
Tunbridge Wells
TN49UU

Opening Hours

Tuesday	7pm - 9:30pm
Thursday	7pm - 9:30pm

Telephone

+441892548826

Website

http://www.129sqn.org/

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