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 commandant is Air Commodore Tony Keeling.[2]

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
Commandant Air CadetsAir Cdre Tony Keeling[2]
RAF Air Cadets marching in a parade

Prior to 1 October 2017, the RAFAC was called the Air Cadet Organisation (ACO).[4] As of 1 April 2014, the ACO had a strength of 53,360 cadets and cadet force adult volunteers.[5] Cadets are aged between 12 and 17 on entry to the organisation.[6]

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. Myers, K. "NEW COMMANDANT FOR RAF AIR CADETS IS ANNOUNCED". RAF Air Cadets. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  3. Air Cadets - Who We Are, raf.mod.uk, Accessed 7 December 2014
  4. "HM The Queen Approves New Commission For Cadet Force Volunteers". Air Cadet. Bourne: Warners Midlands plc. Winter 2017. p. 4. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  5. gov.uk MoD - reserves and cadet strengths, table 8a and 8b, page 17-18. April 2014.
  6. "Join as a cadet". RAF Air Cadets. Retrieved 4 May 2019.
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