Surrey Air Cadets

On Saturday some of our cadets visited RMA Sandhurst to take part in the latest Wing Shoot. This month included the usual L98 rifle live firing marksmanship training (LFMT), but also added an introductory session for clay target shotgun shooting with the RMA Sandhurst Clay Pigeon Shooting Club.

The L98 LFMT aimed to prepare cadets for a qualifying weekend for upcoming shooting competitions in 2026. After a successful day of shooting several cadets achieved blue shot badges and progressed to the GP3 shoots in the training syllabus including sitting and kneeling positions. Four cadets also successfully passed their bronze shot practice, allowing them to advance to long-range shooting.

The clay target shooting cadets also had a successful day. Each cadet fired 25 cartridges at various trap-fired clays. This was the first time Surrey Wing had used the Sandhurst Shooting Club, leading to valuable connections for future collaboration.

Cadets interested in the shooting competition qualifying weekend on 5-7 June should sign up on the Cadet Portal. They must be bronze shots.

🏆🏅285 SQN WIN INTER SQUADRON ATHLETICS 🏆🏅

At the weekend we held our annual inter-Squadron athletics meet. Nearly 300 cadets took part in the competition; running, throwing and jumping fighting for the pride of their Squadron.

This year 285 (Coulsdon & Purley) Squadron took home the overall Champions Trophy ahead of 219 (Sutton & Cheam) Sqn and 261 (Guildford) Sqn in third place.

285 Sqn also took the Overall Girls competition, and 219 Sqn took the Overall Boys.

Well done to all the cadets who took part, and congratulations to the medal winners. And of course a huge thank you to the adult volunteers who organised and ran the event. A great effort.

DUKE OF EDINBURGH'S AWARDS

The RAF Air Cadets is one of the largest organisations running the Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme. At our recent awards night we recognised some of the many cadets achieving awards in Surrey Wing each year.

CWO Thomason (1075 Sqn) and Cdt Sgt Dickson (261 Sqn) achieved their Gold DofE in 2025, an achievement that is rewarded with a trip to the Palace to pick up their award. CWO Thomason, also gave a presentation to the audience about her journey to achieving the Gold DofE award.

Also recognised for completing their Silver DofE awards were Cpls McDonnell and Townsend from 261 Sqn and Sgt Baxendale and FS Manalo from 1075 Sqn.

⭐⭐COMMENDATIONS ⭐⭐

In addition to our cadet commendations, we recognised the efforts of three adult volunteers and and a Squadron.

CI Gunnell of 350 (Carshalton & Wallington) Sqn was presented with a Certificate of Meritorious Service from Commandant RAFAC for his service to 350 Sqn. He has been the Sqn Sports officer for 5 years and has successfully raised over £3,000 from bag-packing events for the Sqn.

FS Wells of 285 (Coulsdon and Purley) Squadron, was recognised by OC Surrey Wing for outstanding service to the Surrey Wing Road Marching Team. He led a Region team at the Nijmegen Marches in 2025 with high standards, leading to the team being awarded the Best Overall RAFAC Team award impressing many in the British Military Contingent.

Mr Karl Khan was recognised by OC Surrey Wing for his 13 years of service on the Civilian Welfare Committee at 1075 (Camberley) Sqn and supporting Surrey Wing. Until recently he was Chair of the committee at 1075 Sqn, and had supported the squadron through his company DTC Ltd, sponsoring subsidised sportswear and transport to activities for the cadets.

1075 (Camberley ) Sqn were also recognised with a commendation for excellence ins STEM. 35 Cadets completed projects with the CREST Award programme, receiving certificates from the British Science Association. Service Instructor Cpl Harrison collected the certificate in recognition of his exceptional work in delivering STEM.

⭐⭐COMMENDATIONS ⭐⭐

We recognised two cadets with Wing Commander's Commendations at our recent awards night.

Cpl Harris-Leroyer from 261 (Guildford) Sqn was recognised for dedication to the Wing Shooting team. She was a reserve at the Bisley ISCRM event, supporting the cadet firers throughout the competition. She was also the recipient of the Best Effort award at the Wing Shooting Camp - Sennybridge for dedication to the event providing leadership, guidance and determination to the event.

Cpl Targett from 1034 (Surbiton & Esher) Sqn was recognised for outstanding courage. While waiting for a train she noticed a woman who seemed distressed. The woman suddenly moved to jump onto the tracks as a fast train approached. Cpl Targett reacted instantly, running forward to block the woman's path using the strength and reactions developed playing as a scrum forward for Cobham RFC. In that moment, she showed remarkable bravery and courage, acting without hesitation to protect a stranger’s life. We are incredibly proud to recognise Cpl Targett as one of Surrey Wing’s finest Air Cadets.

Well done to both cadets.

We had a two for one deal going at our recent awards night, when both our departing and incoming Wing Chaplains received Certificates of Commendation from Officer Commanding Surrey Wing.

Padre Thomason has recently stepped down as Wing Chaplain due to a move to the North of England. He has made a big impact in the Wing and at 1075 (Camberley) Sqn where he has been the Squadron Chaplain. Good luck in your new role.

He has handed back the reigns to Revd Hills who returns as Wing Chaplain. He needs no introduction to the Wing, having previously been Wing Chaplain and Sqn Chaplain at 180 Sqn and now 261 Sqn.

Congratulations both on your commendations!

🏆BEST CADETS 🏆

The top two cadets in Surrey Wing have been announced and will now represent the Wing in this year's Dacre Sword for the Top Air Training Corps Cadet in the country.

Cadet Flight Sergeant Manalo from 1075 (Camberley) Sqn has been an active member of the Wing and Regional Bands, including taking part in the Lady Mayor's Show in November 2025.

Cadet Warrant Officer Richards-Scully from 323 (Epsom & Ewell) Sqn is also an active cadet across the Wing, helping out on the Wing Camp to the Isle of Wight last year and starring in the RAF's Remembrance Video at the Poppy Factory in Richmond.

Congratulations to two excellent cadets and Good Luck in the next stages of the competition.

🏆🏆 261 IS BEST SQUADRON IN SURREY 🏆🏆

At our recent Awards Night, 261 (Guildford) Squadron were crowned Best Squadron in Surrey Wing.

261 Sqn has been one of the largest and most active units within Surrey Wing for many years, and often have represented the Wing at Regional and National competitions. Their most recent success was winning the Morris Trophy for runner-up in the National Best Squadron Competition. Something they hope to match or better this year as they now go on to represent Surrey Wing to see who will be the Best Squadron in London & SE Region.

Congratulations and good luck 261!

🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️FIRST CADET ROAD MARCHING TEAM LEADER AT LaSER MARCH 🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️

At the weekend, 19 Surrey Wing Cadets attended and completed the LaSER 2 Day March, achieving their Silver Road Marching qualification and badges. Cadets completed 80 km across two days marching out of Lydd Camp in Kent.

Eligible Cadets will now continue training for either the Nijmegen Marches in The Netherlands in July or the Gold badge event in the UK in October.

Adding to the success of the weekend, Sgt Dixon from 261 (Guildford) Squadron became the first cadet in Surrey Wing to achieve the Road Marching Team Leader qualification. This qualifies him to deliver Road Marching training on his Squadron and throughout the RAF Air Cadets.

Congratulations to all cadets and thank you to the adult volunteers who completed the march leading the cadets.

⚽⚽ INTER WING SPORTS SUCCESS ⚾⚾

Our Sports teams have represented the Wing with pride at the London & SE Region Inter Wing Team Sports competition. The girls lead the way taking both the junior and senior girls football trophies home.

There were second places for the Junior Boys Football team and the Junior Rounders Team, with third places for the respective senior teams.

Well done teams!