Royal Air Force Air Cadets

The Royal Air Force Air Cadets (RAFAC) is a volunteer-military youth organisation sponsored by the Royal Air Force that manages both the Air Training Corps and RAF Sections of the Combined Cadet Force.[3] The organisation is headed by a former serving RAF officer, Commandant Air Cadets. The current interim commandant is Group captain John Lawlor.[4]

Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Active1 February 1941 -[1]
Country United Kingdom
Branch Royal Air Force
TypeVolunteer Military Youth Organisation
HeadquartersRAF Cranwell
PatronDuchess of Cambridge
Websitewww.raf.mod.uk/aircadets/
Commanders
Honorary Air CommandantThe Duchess of Cambridge
Acting Commandant Air CadetsGp Capt John Lawlor (until Sept 2020) [2]
RAF Air Cadets marching in a parade

Prior to 1 October 2017, the RAFAC was called the Air Cadet Organisation (ACO).[5] As of 1 April 2014, the ACO had a strength of 53,360 cadets and cadet force adult volunteers.[6] Cadets are aged between 12 and 17 on entry to the organisation.[7]

The RAFAC is made up of:

  • Headquarters Air Cadets at RAF Cranwell
  • Two National Air Cadet Adventure Training Centres
  • 1009 Air Training Corps Squadrons in the UK and overseas
  • 199 RAF contingents of the Combined Cadet Force

See also

References

  1. http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/raftimeline1941.cfm
  2. https://www.raf.mod.uk/aircadets/news/new-commandant-for-raf-air-cadets-is-announced/
  3. Air Cadets - Who We Are, raf.mod.uk, Accessed 7 December 2014
  4. Myers, K. "NEW COMMANDANT FOR RAF AIR CADETS IS ANNOUNCED". RAF Air Cadets. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  5. "HM The Queen Approves New Commission For Cadet Force Volunteers". Air Cadet. Bourne: Warners Midlands plc. Winter 2017. p. 4. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  6. gov.uk MoD - reserves and cadet strengths, table 8a and 8b, page 17-18. April 2014.
  7. "Join as a cadet". RAF Air Cadets. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
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