Cadets at 1475 (Dulwich) Sqn gave their Commanding Officer, Flight Lieutenant Kevin Mehmet, a surprise when they presented him with a cake iced with the Squadron Colours to help celebrate 25 years in Command of the Squadron. He is currently the longest serving Officer Commanding of any Squadron in the London Wing of the Air Training Corps.

Flight Lieutenant Kevin Mehmet cuts his 25th Anniversary Cake.

The Cadets also held a special parade in his honour and over 100 cadets filed pass their commanding office to shake hands and thank him personally for all his hard work and determination to help young people from South London.

1475 (Dulwich) Squadron has enjoyed a very successful existence under Flight Lieutenant Mehmet’s command. The Squadrons current strength is over 100 Cadets.  It has particular strengths in sport, having dominated the athletics, swimming, cross country, and orienteering competitions in the London Wing area since the 1970s.

Kevin has also been a strong supporter of training courses for cadets from all over the London Wing and London and South East area, teaching leadership and presentation skills which have helped hundreds, if not thousands, of young people to become successful in whatever course or career their lives have taken them.

The Squadron is affiliated to the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers and it holds the appointment of Heraldic Banner Bearers to the Lord Mayor, Sheriffs and senior Aldermen of the City of London.

1475 (Dulwich) Sqn Concert at RAF St Clement Danes

Most importantly 1475 (Dulwich) Squadron also holds two Air Training Corps Certificates of Merit (the highest meritorious award made to a Squadron) for services to the City of London and the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund respectively. 1475  is renowned for it biannual concerts at the Central Curch of the Royal Air Force, Saint Clement Danes, commemorating the Squadrons Patron, the late Jack Lane DFC, in aid of Jack’s favoured charity, the RAF Benevolent Fund and has raised thousands of pounds for this very worthy cause.

Nineteen year old Cadet Warrant Officer Gilberto Algar-Faria, of 48F (Hampstead) Squadron and Cadet Flight Sergeant Alexander Dutch of 241 (Wansted and Woodford) Sqn, are officially two of the top 21 UK cadets who have made it through to the last round of selection for the Duke of Westminster Award 2010.

Cadet Warrant Officer Gilberto Algar-Faria

Not only are these young hopefuls competing for the highest accolade from CVQO, which is an orgainisation accredited to deliver qualifications that have been selected to show the wide range of skills that young people and
adults learn in the Cadet Forces, with the aim of providing its members
with opportunities in both the workplace and higher education, but also for a place as one of the top nine cadets to participate in a three week expedition to South Africa.

Gilberto completed a BTEC First Diploma in Public Services
and an ILM ( Institute of Leadership and Management) certificate in Team
Leading, and is one of the first cadets to be working towards CVQO’s
BTEC National Diploma in Public Services (A level equivalent). He also finds time to be involved in a programme called Activenture, acting as a guide and friend to disabled children at an adventure sports centre. At university, he is a peer mentor and the secretary of the social committee.

Alex has also completed a BTEC First Diploma in Public Services, First Aid at

Flight Sergeant Alexander Dutch speaking with Her Majesty the Queen at the Cadet 150 launch earlier this year.

Work Course and Mountain Leader Training to name just a few of her achievements. She also finds time somehow to act as a Coach at her local Leisure Centre,  high school and other local schools in Trampoline and Netball. She also coaches the London Borough of Redbridge Girls Rugby Teams for the London Youth Games and is Deputy Head Girl at Oaks Park School. Alex has organised charity collections for Red Nose Day and Children in Need for the school. She has been a Peer Mentor at Wanstead School, has served on the School Council and much, much more.

These two insprirational London Wing Air Cadets and 19 other hopeful teenagers from the UK’s MOD cadet forces will be grabbing with gusto the final challenge to see which of them might be the winner of the Duke of Westminster Award 2010. A stretching 36 hour assessment and selection event will be held in the Quantock Hills in Somerset starting on 30th March. It will be part of a process where the very best of the 20,000 cadets registered with CVQO can show themselves worthy of the top Award.

This year 350 entrants from across the UK’s cadets were nominated for the award by their headquarters. These are young people who possess a wide range of skills and abilities, which they have demonstrated through a consistently high level of commitment and achievement throughout their cadet career.

“These young people have worked very hard to get as far as this selection event.” commented Edward Woods, chief executive of CVQO and head of the selection panel “They are the cream of the crop of over 20,000 young people undertaking vocational qualifications with CVQO.”

The winners of the Selection Event will be announced at midday on Monday 12th April. Nine cadets will be selected from the 21 to participate in an expedition to South Africa.  The top five of these will attend an awards ceremony in June hosted by the Duke of Westminster when the ultimate winner will be announced.

In addition to a raft of other qualifications, all winning cadets had gained a BTEC First Diploma in Public Services and/or Music from CVQO, each worth the equivalent to 4 GCSEs A* – C and all cited this particular qualification as invaluable to their future educational and career development. Another fantastic opportunity which the Air Cadets provides to the Young People of London.

The Minister for Young Citizen’s and Youth Engagement, Dawn Butler MP visited Cadets from 291 (Westminster & Chelsea) Squadron.

Ms Butler had expressed an interest in meeting the Cadets to learn more about the Organisation after speaking with Commandant Air Cadets, Air Commodore Ian Stewart.

As the 55 Cadets from 291 (Westminster and Chelsea) Sqn, stood on parade to greet the Minister, she made a point of speaking to each one, shaking them all by the hand before stopping to ask them about their time in the Air Cadets and why they enjoy being part of the Air Cadet Organisation so much.

Cadet Tatiana Dritz (14) was one of the lucky cadets who got the chance to speak with Ms Butler, “she asked me how long I’d been in cadets, how old I was and what I enjoyed about it, she was really friendly and nice” with Cadet Mohammed Mazhari (16) adding, “It was great to meet a senior politician face to face like that.”

After meeting the cadets, Ms Butler addressed them as a group saying; “It was a pleasure to meet you all. Thank you for all the positive contributions you are making to the community. You give out such a positive message in the work and activities that you do.”

As well as meeting the cadets, the Minister had an opportunity to meet with the Adult Volunteer Staff on the Squadron, speaking to them about the valuable work they do to help young people who are part of the Air Cadets.

Afterwards, the Chairman of the Squadrons Civilian Committee, Mr Clinton Riley said; “It was good to showcase London’s youth to the Minister she went away with a very positive image of the Air Cadet Organisation. It was a pleasure to have her visit us.”