Central & East Region Air Cadets

31/10/2025

✈️🎷 The Central & East Region Band took off into spooky season at the PTS camp with a Halloween classic — the Scooby-Doo theme! 🐾🎶
From haunted hangars to musical mysteries, our cadets know how to keep things in tune and in spirit. 🎃👏”

28/10/2025

🔥 Central & East Region at CISSAM 2025 — A Triumphant Return... 🔥

Returning from a week of Pre-CISSAM training, four teams (3 from Trent Wing Air Cadets, 1 from Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire Wing ATC) represented the Region at the infamous Cadet Inter-Service Small Arms Meet at Pirbright — the first Beds & Cambs attendance in 13 years and only the second time in many years for Trent.

Battling all manner of weather elements throughout the week, they didn’t just turn up... they delivered:

Top 40 Individuals
• FS O Humphreys (Beds & Cambs) — 4th
• FS J Thorneycroft (Trent) — 21st

Team Medals — Bedfordshire & Cambridgeshire Wing

• 4× Silver — Advance to Contact Match 🥈
• 4× Bronze — Top RAFAC Team 🥉
• 4× Bronze — Top CISSAM Team 🥉

RAFAC once again showed its strength on the line and in the field, with Central & East part of that national success story.

None of this happens without people; the Region also deployed 15 CFAV volunteers to support the event as range staff, team managers and Cadet Support Group, keeping the competition safe and professional.

Cadets are taught weapon handling skills as part of a structured programme of supervised training that emphasises safe and responsible use.

For a Region returning to the national stage after years away — the message is clear:
C&E shooting is back, and it’s thriving.

Commandant Air Cadets Royal Air Force Air Cadets Council for Cadet Rifle Shooting No6 C&E Small Arms Training Team

22/10/2025

22/10/2025

Here are more photos from this week’s AT camp. It looks like they’re having an educational and fun time!

22/10/2025

Here are more photos from this week’s AT camp. It looks like they’re having an educational and fun time!

21/10/2025

This week Central and East are running instructor taster, development, cpd and actual courses for AT qualifications out of the Windermere cadet centre. Walking, biking, climbing and paddlesport activities are all featuring with staff mix and matching based on their needs and choices through the week. Staff from across the Region are benefiting from not only structured training but also the peer group experiences.

05/10/2025

📧 Stay Connected, Stay Informed!

To all our amazing Cadet Forces Adult Volunteers across the Central & East Region — please ensure you’re regularly accessing your personal Bader email account. It’s the primary way we share important updates, opportunities, and essential information to support your role.

If you're having trouble accessing your Bader email, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Region Bader Point of Contact at:
👉 bader.ce@rafac.mod.gov.uk

Let’s keep communication strong and make sure no one misses out! 💬

04/10/2025

This month we’re shining a light on some truly inspiring individuals across our Wings who’ve gone above and beyond for our cadets and communities.

🌼 CI Jack Pateman – 864 (Watton) Sqn, Norfolk & Suffolk Wing
Jack’s green fingers have helped create a beautiful wildflower garden for the squadron, and his leadership training has made a real impact. He was also a key part of the team behind the recent Sector Bronze Leadership Course. Quietly brilliant!

🙏 Rev Michael Child – Essex Wing Chaplain
A legend in Essex Wing, Rev Child has enrolled hundreds of cadets over the years and is a regular, much-loved presence at squadron events. His enthusiasm and kindness make him a favourite with cadets and CFAVs alike.

🎖️ WO Lauren Smith & WO Liam Kemp – Essex Wing
Together, they masterminded the first public Wing Parade since 2016 – a huge event with over 500 personnel, unit banners, and the debut of the Massed Wing Band. A proud moment for the Wing, perfectly timed with the change of command.

🚦 FS Emma Guiver – 1474 (Wickford) Sqn, Essex Wing
When road closures threatened the Wing Parade, Emma stepped in through her day job at the County Council and got it sorted just in time. Parade saved – hero status confirmed!

🎶 Sgt Taya Wilson, WO David Russell, APO Katie Allen & Sgt Ben Taylor – Essex Wing Music Services
Tasked with forming a Massed Wing Band for the parade, this team delivered an unforgettable performance. Their passion and dedication brought music back to the Wing in style!

🏕️ Sqn Ldr Sue Sumner – 276 (City of Chelmsford) Sqn, Essex Wing
Camp Commandant at Boscombe Down RAF Summer Camp, Sue overcame major challenges to make it happen. Her determination ensured cadets had an unforgettable experience.

🌄 Sqn Ldr Mike Jelley – Essex Wing
Mike led the RAF Valley Summer Camp with his usual energy and excellence. Year after year, he builds brilliant teams and delivers camps that cadets rave about. Consistently outstanding!

🚗 Mrs Carol Cox – Wing Chairperson, Norfolk & Suffolk Wing
Carol has travelled far and wide to train squadron committees, raising standards and strengthening governance across the Wing. Her efforts have made a huge difference – we’re lucky to have her!

Thank you to all our nominees – your dedication, creativity and care make RAFAC the incredible organisation it is.

Air Cadets

02/10/2025

02/10/2025

Central & East Region is delighted to welcome a new Officer in Command of Hertfordshire Wing.

Here’s more about “H” Tanner:

Wing Commander Haydyn “H” Tanner has been a cadet and officer in the Air Training Corps for 43 years. He joined 120 (Hendon) Squadron in April 1982, moving to 2236 (Stanmore) Squadron in August 1987 and was appointed as a Cadet Warrant Officer (CWO). At the end of his cadet service, he was awarded the Dawson Sword as Best CWO in Middlesex Wing for 1989. He was commissioned into the Volunteer Reserve (Training) Branch in December 1990 and was a squadron officer at 406 (Willesden) and 268 (Tottenham) Squadrons. He has commanded 268 (Tottenham), 85 (Enfield & Southgate) and 1374 (East Barnet) Squadrons and was the Wing Adventure Training and Technical Officer in Middlesex Wing. In 2012 he moved to be a Squadron Officer at 2384 (Bushey & Oxhey) Squadron, taking command of the Squadron in 2017. In 2020 he was appointed as Wing Staff Officer (South), Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire Wing, responsible for 7 squadrons in South Bedfordshire and promoted to Squadron Leader. He has led Air Cadet Expeditions and training courses to North Wales, Dartmoor, the Peak District, the Lake District, Scotland, Ireland, the Bavarian Alps, the French Alps, Ecuador, Mongolia, Ghana and Borneo.

“H” is the Director of HAdventurous Ltd, a Leadership, Consultancy and Training Company, having recently retiring from the Metropolitan Police as a Chief Inspector. He is the Chair of the Young Explorers Trust, a National Youth-based overseas expedition charity, a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, a member of the Advisory Board to the Scientific Exploration Society and a qualified Mountain Leader. He enjoys skiing and trekking, both in the mountains and in jungle areas. On the more relaxed side, he enjoys reading and recovering from the above.

Wing Commander Tanner says:

“I am honoured to have been selected as the next Wing Commander of Hertfordshire Wing. It is a privilege to return to the Wing following my time with Beds & Cambs, and I am committed to supporting our squadrons and fostering an environment where every member can thrive. Over the coming months, I plan to visit each squadron to meet with staff and cadets, listen to their ideas, and learn more about their achievements.”

Good luck in your new role and thank you for everything you did at Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire Wing ATC

Hertfordshire Wing Air Cadets

14/09/2025

Congratulations to the cadets progressing on their DofE awards!