Royal Air Force Air Cadets


The Royal Air Force Air Cadets is the combined volunteer-military youth organisation sponsored by the Royal Air Force, which is formed by both the Air Training Corps and RAF Sections of the Combined Cadet Force. The organisation is headed by a serving RAF officer, Commandant Air Cadets. The current commandant is Air Commodore Al Lewis. In addition to the Commandant, who is responsible for the organisation’s uniformed activities, RAFAC also has a National Chair, who serves as the senior representative of the trustee pillar; the current incumbent is Mr Stuart Ensor OBE.
Prior to 1 October 2017, the RAFAC was called the Air Cadet Organisation. As of 1 April 2023, the RAFAC had a strength of 42,190 cadets and 10,070 Cadet Force Adult Volunteers, along with ~5,000 trustees. Cadets are aged between 12 and 17 on entry to the organisation, and can remain until they are 18, or with special permission, until they are 20.

Organisation

The RAFAC consists of:
The six regions are:
  1. London and South East Region
  2. South West Region
  3. Wales and West Region
  4. Central and East Region
  5. North Region
  6. Scotland and Northern Ireland Region
Each region is commanded by a "Regional Commandant", who holds the rank of Group Captain, and is usually retired regular RAF. The region is further staffed by a number of Cadet Forces Adult Volunteers who maintain the day-to-day operations of each of the regions. Examples of these posts include Region Staff Officer, Region Training Officer, and Region STEM Officer.

RAFAC Sections of the Combined Cadet Force

Air Cadet sections within the Combined Cadet Force usually follow their own chain of command within their school's unit. Above their school unit, they diverge into the same chain of command as the Air Training Corps, which is usually their Wing or Region.

Trustee governance

In addition to the uniformed command structure, the Air Training Corps squadrons are supported by a parallel trustee pillar, responsible for managing non-public funds and ensuring lawful governance. Trustees operate at squadron, wing, regional, and national levels. The National Chair, who is the senior representative of the trustee pillar, is Mr Stuart Ensor OBE

Activities

Air Cadet activities vary greatly, but commonly include:
  • First aid
  • Radio
  • NavEx
  • Physical activities
  • Drill and discipline
  • Band and music
  • Camps
  • Leadership
There are also less frequent, but enriching, activities. Examples include: