In front of over 250 parents and guests 291 (Westminster & Chelsea) Squadron based in Horseferry Road, welcomed the Deputy Lieutenant for the City of Westminster Brigadier Paul Orchard-Lisle CBE TD DL to its Annual Presentation Evening.

The Squadron Commander Warrant Officer Roland Mackenzie ATC accompanied the Brigadier Orchard-Lisle on his Inspection of the Cadets before the Brigadier and a number of other distinguished guests presented a number of prizes and Trophies to the Cadets.

The Squadrons Chairman, Lieutenant Colonel Clinton Riley ACF read out a letter from the Air Commodore in Chief Air Cadets His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh wishing the Squadron well on its hard work and achievements throughout the last year.

Brigadier Orchard-Lisle who is also a Patron of CVQO, a charity that supports Educational opportunities for the Cadets Forces, congratulated the Cadets on their turnout and bearing and wished them every success in their future training.

The Commanding Officer of London Wing, Wing Commander Sylvie Silver commented “291 is an outstanding Squadron which is reflected in the achievements and activities undertaken by the Cadets.  In particular, Warrant Officer Roland Mackenzie is to congratulated for his hard work and determination which is reflected in making the 291 the excellent Squadron which it is.”

In March 2010 the Squadron will welcome 291 (Blenheim) Squadron of The Royal Canadian Air Cadets from Ontario, Canada to London where the Squadron will host the Cadets in a mixture of training and cultural visits as part of the Cadet 150 Celebrations. “We are really looking forward to welcoming the cadets and Staff from the Canadian Air Cadets.

“The last year has been exciting for us but this visit is just the start of an even more exciting year ahead.” Said Warrant Officer Roland Mackenzie, Officer Commanding 291(Westminster & Chelsea)Sqn.

Photos by Captain Michael Nolan ACF

Air Cadets from London Wing and the rest of the United Kingdom kicked off the launch of Cadet150 on the 17 February to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the cadet movement.

Cadet Flight Sergeant Alex Dutch (holding "0") with other Air, Army and Sea Cadets outside 10 Downing Street

Her Majesty The Queen is Patron of Cadet150, and a programme of over 150 events is taking place all over the country during the course of the next year, reflecting the spirit of adventure, excitement, fun and community service at the heart of the cadet movement.

Cadets from the wing were involved in a number of high profile events all over the capital for the launch.

Her Majesty The Queen and the His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh, who is Air Commodore-in-Chief of the Air Cadets, received 26 specially-selected Cadet Ambassadors at Buckingham Palace on 17 February in support of the launch.  The cadet ambassadors (7 Air Cadets, 7 Army Cadets, 6 Sea Cadets, and 6 Cadets from the Combined Cadet Force) have been drawn from every corner of the UK, specially selected for individual outstanding achievements.

Cadet Flight Sergeant Alex Dutch of 241 (Wanstead and Woodford) Sqn who is one of the specially selected Cadet

Cadet Flight Sergeant Helen O'Keefe who gave a Radio Interview to Time 107.5FM Radio

Ambassadors commented “I feel honoured to have represented the Air Cadets for such a special event. I have benefited great as a result of being a member of the Cadet Forces, enjoying trips to locations like the Falkland Islands, undertaking my Gliding and Flying Scholarships, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award as well as having new challenges and experiences which I may not have had the opportunity to do if I was not part of the Air Cadets.”  Alex is also undertaking the Air Cadet Junior Leaders course, which is a test of both mental and physical abilities promoting leadership skills and qualities.

The day also involved a visit to Downing Street where the cadets met the Minister for Young Citizens and Youth Engagement, Dawn Butler MP and the Under Secretary for Defence and Minister for Veterans, Mr Kevan Jones MP as well as  lunch at the Ministry of Defence with a number of invited guests including Commandant Air Cadets, Air Commodore Ian Stewart.

London Wing Cadets in South Africa 2009

In the evening the cadets enjoyed an evening reception at Lancaster House hosted by the Ulysses Trust and the Council of Reserve Forces and Cadet Associations.  The Ulysses Trust has been a strong supporter of challenging expeditions by members of the Air Cadets.  Flight Lieutenant Dan O’Mahoney RAFVR(T) of 338(West Ham)Squadron gave a presentation of the London Wing Expedition to Lesoto, South Africa which took place in July 2009.

Meanwhile in Romford, Cadet Flight Sergeant Helen O’Keefe of 2324(Chigwell)Sqn and Flight Lieutenant Peter Gourri of London Wing, were interviewed by Peter Stremes  of Time 107.5 FM Radio about what the Cadet forces do and the type of activities which Helen has enjoyed during her time with the Air Cadets.

Wing Commander Sylvia Silver, Officer Commanding London Wing Air Cadets said: “The Cadet 150 events are a wonderful opportunity, not just to celebrate 150 years of our fantastic movement but also the valuable work which thousands of Adult Volunteers do to help young people in the Air Cadets and other Cadet Forces today. There are great opportunities for young people across the UK to experience by joining the Air Cadets and I would encourage any young person looking for fun and adventure to visit their local Squadron today.”

Find out more about Cadet150

The Radio Interviews with Time 107.5FM can be heard by clicking on the links below.

Cdt Flt Sgt Helen O’Keefe speaks to Time 107.5FM Radio about being an Air Cadet.

Flt Lt Peter Gourri of London Wing speaks to Time 107.5FM Radio about the Cadet 150 Celebrations.

Cadet Flight Sergeant Tee Ganbold, who is a senior cadet on 46F(Kensington)Sqn has won the Kriegie Trophy for being the best Air Training Corps cadet on the Frimley Park leadership course in 2009.

Tee, whose family originate from Mongolia, has made the most of her time in the Air Training Corps, enjoying a full range of activities. Last year she went skiing in the Bavarian mountains and traveled to Hong Kong as part of the International Air Cadet Exchange programme. She has also completed a gliding scholarship and is a staff cadet on a Volunteer Gliding Squadron.

‘I put all my training and effort tackling the challenges of the course, which included working with other young people from around the country through a range of demanding activities’ said Tee (17) who attends Holland Park School.

‘Tee displayed outstanding leadership and was always smiling throughout the leadership course’ said Charles Clarke to guests that included the Deputy Major of Kensington and Chelsea, Councillor Terence Bowan, the Deputy Lieutenant Richard Walker Arnott, the French Air Attaché Colonel Jean-Claude Piccirillo and the Commandant of the Air Cadets Air Commodore Ian Stewart. Parents, families and friends were also at the ceremony at the Kensington Squadron’s Headquarters on Brompton Road, South Kensington.

A light hearted demonstration illustrating life as an Air Cadet with 46f(Kensington)Squadron involved some guests participating in different events and races against cadet teams. The Squadron’s Corps of Drums thrilled everyone with a finale performance and received a rapturous applause.

Following the event Air Commodore Stewart said: “46F (Kensington) Squadron put on a spectacular display as part of the award ceremony for Cadet Flight Sergeant Tee Ganbold. I was struck by the number of activities Tee has managed to fit in to her busy life and her success is an inspiration to the other cadets on her Squadron. It was a pleasure to be able to join Air Commodore Charles Clarke in presenting the Kriegie Trophy. The whole team had an enjoyable evening with the staff and cadets of this dynamic Air Training Corps Squadron.”

The Kriegie trophy was introduced July 1981 when the Royal Air Force Ex-Prisoner-of-War Association presented the Air Cadet Organization with a trophy in memory of the late Group Captain Day, to be known as ‘The “Kriegie” Trophy’.

46F(Kensington)Squadron with Honoured Guests

Group Captain H M A Day GC DSO OBE RAF, who died in December 1977, served in both World Wars but spent most of World War II in Prisoner-of-War camps, where he became famous as “Wings” Day, Senior British Officer of Stalag Luft III.  This camp was built specially to prevent RAF personnel from escaping but was, in fact, the scene of many famous escapes. Some of the events that took place at the camp were later made famous in the movie “The Great Escape”.

Cadet Flight Sergeant Tee Ganbold

At a reception party afterwards the Deputy Major remarked on the steadfastness of the cadets on parade. The French Air Attaché announced that his son wanted to join! ‘I’m delighted and proud that we’ve had this opportunity to celebrate not only Tees hard work but also the achievements of all our Cadets’ The Kensington’s Commanding Officer Flight Lieutenant Chris Butler commented.

The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund has paid a special mention to the Staff and Cadets of 1475 (Dulwich)Squadron, who are based on Lordship Lane in Southwark at an event at the Imperial War Museum on the 4th February 2010.

The guests included a number of Masters and Clerks from City of London Livery Companies as well as Chief Executive Officers from major banks, and delegations from finance firms and stock exchange listed companies.

Air Commodore Ian R W Stewart, BSc FRAeS RAF

The RAFBF Controller, Sir Robert Wright, gave a presentation on the funds 90 year history and work today as the RAF’s leading welfare charity. This was followed by a fascinating talk by Group Captain Steve Shell from RAF Odiham, who spoke about the role of the RAF’s Chinook force in Afghanistan.

Finally RAFBF Chief Executive Lord Trenchard presented Air Commodore Ian Stewart, Commandant Air Cadets, with the Wilkinson Sword. The sword is given in recognition of the outstanding support air cadets have shown for the RAFBF in 2009.  Particular mention was given to the cadets of 1475 (Dulwich) Squadron, whose “long-standing and incredibly valuable!” support was singled out by Marketing Communications Director, Dean Benton.

After the talk guests were treated to a bowl supper, drinks and live jazz as well as the chance to mix and speak with the cadets from 1475 (Dulwich) Sqn in the museum’s main hall and learned more about the best way to support the RAF family – by supporting the work of the RAFBF.

The Main Hall at the Imperial War Museum

Cadet Sergeant Esteban Albuja commented “It was a real honour for us to be singled out by the RAFBF for the work which has been undertaken by our Squadron. The most important thing for us is that we help to make a difference for the people out there who are supported by the fund. That is the greatest reward of all for us.”

The pictures show Air Commordore Stewart with the RAFBF Wilkingson Sword. The guests enjoying a pleasant evening in the main hall at the Imperial War Museum and Lord Trenchard, with the cadets from 1475(Dulwich)Sqn.