31 Tower Hamlets Squadron - Royal Air Force Air Cadets

🎺🎺Lancaster House Performance

Shortly following this year’s St George’s Day Parade, the 3 Sector band was fortunate enough to perform at Lancaster House, a residence owned by The Crown & steeping with rich political history.

🎶The night’s playlist was as follows:
* It’s A Long Way To Tipperary/Pack Up Your Troubles
* Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines
* Black Bear
* Sarie Marais
* Men Of Harlech
with the newest additions of The Longest Day & LaSER Drum Solo.

We’re deeply grateful to Sqn Ldr Harris for giving us the opportunity to perform here, and we look forward to many more performances in the future!

A Magnis Ad Maiora

ST GEORGE’S DAY 🎶 🥁

Another successful performance in Whitehall for this year’s St George’s Day parade by the Sector 3 ATC Band representing London Wing.

The playlist for the day was as follows; It’s A Long Way To Tipperary/Pack Up Your Troubles, Those Magnificent Men In Thier Flying Machines, Black Bear, Sarie Marais, and Men of Harlech.

After a hard training weekend our cadets have shown their dedication to giving the best performance possible and we are very proud to be the first to march on to the whole parade.

A Magnis ad Maiora

TOWER HAMLETS WOMENS AWARD🏆

Fg Off Makwana-Mehmi, Adjutant of 31 (Tower Hamlets) Sqn, has been Highly Commended with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Gender Equity Champion Award for her work empowering female cadets in shooting, an area traditionally male-dominated within the RAF Air Cadets.

Her impact goes beyond the range. Through mentoring, confidence-building, and creating opportunities, she has supported cadets from their first shot to competing - and succeeding - at national level.

As a cadet, she earned two Cadet 100s and a Cadet 50 at the Inter Service Cadet Rifle Meet and Skill at Arms Meet, experiences that shaped her passion and drive to open doors for others.

Now as staff, seeing cadets she has coached place among the best is what drives her to keep pushing for greater inclusion and opportunity.

We’re incredibly proud to see her recognised in the local community, an achievement that continues to inspire.

_A Magnis Ad Maiora_

Cadets and staff from 31 joined London and South East Region for the annual LaSER marches. After a long but rewarding weekend of singing, marching, and pushing through 80km, the cadets cadets successfully earned their silver roadmarching badges and medals 🥇💪

31 represented two teams: the Girls’ Region Team, pushing hard in preparation for selection to Nijmegen, and the London Wing Team, building experience and resilience ahead of Gold Road Marching. We hope to see more cadets taking part in road marching and get some more badges filled out 🏅

_A Magnis Ad Maiora_

This week, our cadets completed their Gold DofE practice expedition 🏕️ - pushing their limits, building resilience, and strengthening teamwork. The days were long but rewarding, filled with laughs and unforgettable moments!

One step closer to Gold! 🌟💪

_A Magnis Ad Maiora_

GLIDING

Cadets from 31 (Tower Hamlets) Squadron recently had the incredible opportunity to experience gliding at 615 Volunteering Gliding Squadron—an exciting and unique part of RAFAC history.

The staff at 615 Volunteering Gliding Squadron were incredibly accommodating and patient, providing our cadets with a fantastic introduction to gliding. Their professionalism and enthusiasm made a lasting impression, with our staff noting they are among the best they have worked with.

Gliding has been a core RAF Air Cadets activity since the 1940s, with formal gliding schools established in 1945. It continues to give cadets the chance to take to the skies in a way that few people ever experience, with opportunities to progress even further through gliding scholarships.

More than just flying, gliding is a true team effort. From launching the aircraft to preparing it for flight, every role is vital — and our cadets were fully involved, helping the airfield operate while also getting airborne themselves.

We’re incredibly proud to see our cadets taking part in such a long-standing and inspiring activity, building confidence, teamwork, and unforgettable memories.

🏆 TOWER HAMLETS CIVIC AWARD 🏆

We are incredibly proud to share that our Officer Commanding, Flight Lieutenant Khan, has been awarded the Tower Hamlets Civic Award for Outstanding Service to the Community.

Presented annually by Tower Hamlets Council to recognise unsung heroes making a real difference, this award celebrates over 12 years of dedication, leadership, and service.

Flight Lieutenant Khan received the award from Councillor Sulluk Ahmed, the Speaker of Tower Hamlets following a nomination by Warrant Officer Chandon Paul (Ret’d), recognising his unwavering commitment to our cadets and the wider community.

From developing an exceptional training programme and rebuilding the squadron towards excellence and Lees Trophy aspirations, to giving countless hours each week to support cadets through first aid, adventure training, and more, his impact is truly inspiring. Not only that, but has rebuilt the staff team and civilian committee in the span of a year. He’s also gone on to gain various shooting competencies to further the experience the cadets get to take part in.

31 (Tower Hamlets) Squadron is proud, grateful, and honoured to have such dedicated leadership. Here’s to continued success and making a difference where it matters most. 👏✨

ATC Sunday - 2026 St Clement Danes

On 8 February 2026, the Royal Air Force and the Air Training Corps marked ATC Sunday at the RAF Church of St Clement Danes.

ATC Sunday is a ceremonial occasion, comprising a parade and a church service, held to commemorate the founding of the Air Training Corps on 5 February 1941. Cadets from across the London and South East Region (LASER) attended this prestigious event, which takes place once every five years.

On arrival, attendees were welcomed by a band performance outside the church. Banner bearers were also positioned outside and formally presented the regional banner to the chaplain at the beginning of the service. The service included performances by the church choir, an address by the chaplain, and a rendition of Hallelujah by the cadet choir towards the conclusion of the service.

31 (Tower Hamlets) Squadron is extremely proud of our Squadron Warrant Officer, Sgt Kovac, for organising the band’s performance, enabling participating cadets to achieve their Silver Band Badges. We are also proud of the cadets for their outstanding musical performance and of those who had the honour of bearing the regional banner.

We look forward to 31 (Tower Hamlets) Squadron taking part in the next ATC Sunday celebration in five years’ time.