Tunbridge Wells Air Cadets - 129 Sqn

16/08/2026

Some visits are worth a special mention and this one is certainly no exception.

It’s not every day one has the opportunity to get up close to an operational Avro Vulcan, not least XH558, the last of the 136 to fly.

The cadets were able to help with some of the routine maintenance activities as well as witnessing some of the hydraulic systems in operation. A couple of very lucky cadets had the opportunity to sit in the pilot’s seat and operate the flight controls to test they were functioning correctly. Everyone had the chance to climb into the cockpit and imagine what life was like as a nuclear bomber crew member during the Cold War before the engineers demonstrated firing up the GPU!

We’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone at the Vulcan To The Sky Trust for hosting us at Doncaster Airport during the Kent Wing Aviation Camp.

15/08/2026

Last week, twelve cadets from 129 Squadron attended the Kent Wing Aviation Camp. Staying in Lincolnshire, a total of 30 cadets from all over Kent visited RAF Cranwell, RAF Coningsby and RAF Marham allowing everyone the chance to see aircraft of all shapes and sizes as well as learn about the diverse variety of careers on offer both in and out of the military.

Other trips included Doncaster Airport to see the magnificent Avro Vulcan, XH558; the International Bomber Command Centre in Lincoln; the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre at East Kirkby and Imperial War Museum Duxford.

30/07/2026

30/07/2026

What a Week! Capel Curig Summer Camp 2026 Complete!
102 cadets have just returned from an incredible week in the heart of Snowdonia, taking part in a huge range of adventurous activities including mountain walking, mountain biking, paddle sports, climbing, white water rafting and coasteering. The camp also supported Gold Duke of Edinburgh expeditions and specialist development training, giving cadets opportunities to challenge themselves, build confidence and develop lifelong skills.
From conquering mountain trails and tackling white water rapids to scaling rock faces and exploring the Welsh coastline, our cadets have shown outstanding resilience, teamwork and determination throughout the week. We couldn't be prouder of every single one of them!
A huge thank you to our volunteer staff who gave up their own time to make these amazing experiences possible, and to the parents and local community for your continued support.
Want your child to be part of the adventure?
Our next intake night is 8 September 2026 and we're looking for young people aged 12–17 who want to make friends, learn new skills, take part in adventure training, flying, shooting, fieldcraft, leadership and so much more.
Next Intake Evening: 8 September 2026
Come along and discover what the Air Cadets can offer.
https://forms.office.com/e/Ku62NL9HMS
Adventure starts here. Are you ready for your next challenge?

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.