Air Cdre Al Lewis - Commandant of the RAF Air Cadets, including the Air Training Corps, Combined Cadet Force (RAF) & No 2 Flying Training School
#NextGenRAF
Brilliant news. Happy Birthday and many congratulations to The Duke of Edinburgh from the
@aircadets
, especially our many participants of the superb
@DofE
Awards
🎉 Wishing the new Duke of Edinburgh a very Happy Birthday today!
The King has conferred the Dukedom of Edinburgh upon his brother, Prince Edward, on his 59th birthday.
🔗
Well it’s official! Air Cdre Tony Keeling will be the next Comdt of the RAF Air Cadets. Congratulations on getting the best job in the RAF - I know all members of
@aircadets
stand ready to welcome you to the role in Sep. 👍
I’m sure everyone in the
@aircadets
will join me in sending sincere condolences to the family of Cadet Nathaniel Shani, who yesterday lost his life in tragic circumstance.
We will provide the very best support we can to his family and the volunteers & cadets at his ATC Squadron
So very sorry to hear that we lost a young cadet to suicide this BH weekend. Devastating for all who knew and loved him. Please, Cadets and staff, speak up if you are feeling down; ask for help, it’s OK to not be OK. Help is at hand - just reach out.
You know, for all the things we still need to fix in our organisation, when thousands of young cadets turn out in the bitter cold to show their respects to the Fallen, we must be doing something right. Could not be prouder of cadets & staff. Thank you.
It was simply wonderful to introduce our Royal Patron to these 3
@aircadets
who call themselves the Flying Fish - the epitome of our motto ‘venture adventure’ and inspired by our Ambassador
@RAF_Emma
they are training to row the Atlantic in 2025
…and here’s CWO Elliott enjoying his big moment - how utterly fabulous for him, his family and friends, and the
@aircadets
!
Image courtesy of
@thetimes
CWO Elliott Tyson-Lee is practicing at
@wabbey
ahead of being the bearer of the Flag of the United Kingdom for Their Majesties’
@RoyalFamily
#Coronation
Service tomorrow. We are hugely proud of you Elliott! He was on
@BBCBreakfast
with
@TVNaga01
at 8.26am
Sad news today: Charlie the tri-paw has gone to Doggy Heaven. 😢. No need for condolence messages - just wanted my team to know as so many cadets met and loved him at various cadet events. He was a star!
Although face to face cadet activity has been suspended temporarily, remember we are all part of one air cadet family. Look after each other, keep in touch and consider how you can keep connected via social media. We will be back!!!!
It’s a very special day for Mrs K as she graduates from the
@OpenUniversity
with a BSc in Psychology. She left school with no qualifications to join the
@RoyalAirForce
as YTS age 17, so this is huge.
Very proud of my wife and her dedication to life long learning 😘
Happy Birthday
@aircadets
, I’ve very proud to be amongst your number on this most special of celebrations and I look forward to working with our brilliant staff and volunteers to help shape your futures.
Next week I hand over this acct to
@Tony_KeelingRAF
. I ask all folllowers to please continue following so he can reach out across
@aircadets
as I have been able to as and when he decides to start tweeting as
@ComdtAC
. There may be a gap...but worth waiting!
Happy Cadets Day to all staff, volunteers, cadets and supporters of
@aircadets
. So proud, especially during AF week when we salute our Regular, Reservist and Cadet members as well as our Civil Servants, Contractors, Families and Veterans
#wholeforce
A big thank you to the
@aircadets
of 1936 (Newton) Sqn who yesterday paid their respects to a few of thier predecessors who lost their lives in Workd War II. We are working with the
@CWGC
to shine a light on the histories hiding in graveyards across the country
Today HQ
@aircadets
said goodbye to Chief of Staff Gp Capt John Lawlor, who retires after 42 years of service and 12 years as COS. On behalf of whole Air Cadets family, thank you John for all you have achieved and very best wishes for your next adventure
Tomorrow is the start of Children's Mental Health Week - an opportunity to remind ourselves not just how important our own children's mental health is but also parental wellbeing too.
We look forward to sharing more about the year's theme of expressing yourself this week.
A huge thank you to the whole of
@aircadets
&
@HeadCCFRAF
for making me feel so welcome, and special thanks to Gp Capt John Lawlor for an outstanding stint as Interim Comdt. Much to learn and many to meet, i have a very busy few months ahead - but so excited!
NEW COMMANDANT AT THE HELM
A new Commandant today takes over command of the RAF Air Cadets.Air Cdre Tony Keeling, 50, takes the baton of command from Gp Capt John Lawlor who has been Interim Commandant since July. See our Facebook site for more details...
#aircadets
#welcome
In this week of recognising Volunteers, it would be remiss of me if I didn’t send a huge personal THANK YOU to every volunteer with
@aircadets
- no matter what your role or how much or little you are able to contribute, it all matters and is appreciated.❤️
My feet are dying but my heart is singing! What an amazing day in London marking RAF100 with so many members of the RAF, past, present and future. Delighted to see over 600 air cadets in support. Parade and Fly Pass were incredible. A day to remember!
Such a special evening with
@earlychildhood
here at Westminster Abbey, joining so many wonderful people who do so much to support babies and children in our communities.
Discharge medical today was interesting - apparently my hearing is worse than before - must have got too close to those bandies and drillies (drums and shouting DIs?) and I am 2 cm taller than what it says on my ID card - and has for 36 years?!?!
Just want to say a heartfelt thank you to all the RAF Air Cadets and their supporting adult volunteers for all you have done over this weekend to mark Armed Forces Day. You have been omnipresent across the UK and I could not be prouder of your contribution.
Calling all volunteers and supporters - thank you for everything you are doing for the RAF Air Cadets during lockdown. You make a massive difference
#whatwedo
#OneFamily
#together
One of the proudest (and scariest!) moments of my RAF career - taking the role of Parade Commander for the final parade of the D&C Camp 2019. The cadets and staff nailed it. An emotional day! TY to all for allowing me the privilege.
Happy 100th birthday to the Service that has given me a lifetime’s career, fantastic opportunities and friends for life. Proud to serve in the finest independent Air Force in the world - a Force for Good around the globe.
Today marked the handover of the key role of Warrant Officer
@aircadets
from WO Clinton Marsh to WO Donna Hall. A huge thank you to Clinton for your many years of commitment to the role and the organisation, and very best of luck to Donna for the years to come
Thank you to the
@aircadets
across the UK who will be standing smartly in their local communities this weekend in acts of Remembrance - you will do your units, your families and the
@RoyalAirForce
proud
My thanks to all volunteers & senior cadets who are helping to deliver on-line activity. If you are unable to support due to work or family commitments, please don’t beat yourself up - you will be welcome back once this crisis is over. One air cadet family!
Woop! I am a qualified DofE Leader! Thanks to Gill and Liam for the training and to fellow students for allowing me to join you on the course. Good luck to all - let’s go beat the Scouts!!! ( Hmm - non-competitive principle applies!).🤥
To all members of
@aircadets
. Please join the nation in your VE Day tributes to those who gave so much to ensure our freedom. Salute with pride, join in the televised events to mark this historic day and be proud of your association with our Armed Forces.
Just want to say a big Thank You to my 230 or so permanent staff who support over 55,000 cadets and volunteers. They are key enablers and force multipliers and we should never forget the vital contribution they make to
@aircadets
Delighted to see so many
@aircadets
at the
@airtattoo
Gala Dinner - and so many name checks from every speaker at the dinner. Thank you all for the brilliant job you do in supporting the best Airshow in the world!
Looking forward to seeing more of you today…😎
Pleased to announce that I will soon become proud owner of former MWD Charlie, 10-yr old drugs dog who needs a retirement home. Already made a name for himself at ATF - sorry, Fiona!
So proud of the contribution our amazing air cadets and support staff (1200+) have made to RIAT18. Outstanding ambassadors in stifling heat and always polite and smiling. Thank you team!
Thank you all our staff and volunteers who turned out today to support Air Cadets on parade - they can't parade without your supervision so thank you - so many parades on social media I can't keep up!
So, so proud of our amazing cadets and staff who pulled off an awesome parade in searing heat. Not one cadet down and every single one, drillies and bandies alike, performed their heart out. VIP guests, parents and friends all inspired and humbled by your achievement. Well done
This is Cadet Flt Sgt Johnston speaking to the Council of the Reserves & Cadet Forces Association at the QE II Centre, with an audience that included Politicians and Lord Lieutenants - humbled by his confidence, determination and life story.
The magic of
@aircadets
in action!!
How cool is this??? Deeply humbled to be presented with this amazing gift by the D&C Camp team for joining them this year and supporting the concept of National D&C over the last 6 years. From little acorns.......
I was due to attend the now cancelled
#RemembranceDay
service in
@DanesChurch
, so instead I visited the local
@southkesteven
Cemetery to pay my respects to a few of those who fell in service of their country - We Will Remember Them
A huge thank you to every member of the
@aircadets
for your superb support to Remembrance services across the UK over the last few days
Well over 8,000 Air Cadets and 2,000 volunteers & many supportive parents attended nearly 700 public acts of Remembrance; simply amazing!
This year we can’t stand together at Remembrance services so the
@royalbritishlegion
is encouraging people to show their support by placing a poppy in their window and standing on their doorstep for the Two Minute Silence. How will you mark the Act of Remembrance
@aircadets
?
… and here they are, Initial Officers Course 10/22 now proud holders of the Cadet Forces Commission and delivering the
@aircadets
offer to ATC & CCF(RAF) units across the UK. Many congratulations!!
Woop woop! I am now officially on leave for a whole week! Heading to the SW and visiting family as well as a bit of house hunting, coast path trekking, beach walking and maybe the odd glass of something red 🤪
Heading back to Cranwell via Bristol and Cirencester for what will be my last 9 days in post. Mixed emotions but so looking forward to seeing some of my team again.
Everyone in the
@aircadets
family is saddened to hear that the last Dambuster, Sqn Ldr George 'Johnny' Johnson MBE DFM has died.
The last of an inspirational generation who were the embodiment of Venture Adventure.
We salute you…
Wishing everyone in the
@aircadets
family - staff, volunteers, civilian committees, chaplains, ATC cadets, CCF(RAF) cadets & their schools, supporting families and our Ambassador
@carolvorders
- a very Happy Christmas
This photo taken before 0900 on a Sunday. How many other teenagers would volunteer for this? 60+
@junior_leaders
in the
@aircadets
that’s who! And the CFAV who train them, of course!
Good luck to all our cadets awaiting A’ level results tomorrow. Just remember, if they are not what you were hoping for, it’s genuinely not the end of the world. Another door will open and your cadet friends will support you as you decide next steps.
If you do one thing this week
@aircadets
then look up General Chuck Yeager who today slipped the surly bonds of earth and now dances the skies on laughter-silvered wings. First human to break the sound barrier & to fly at Mach 2 - we send our respects to a true Legend of aviation
Incredibly honoured to be awarded a Gold Medal by the Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps in recognition of the partnership between our two great youth organisations. Very rare award and I was speechless (even rarer!) when the boss informed me. Thank you to our many friends
@HK_AirCadets
I have 16 top air cadets heading to my home for supper tomorrow ahead of the Comdt’s Dragons’ Den on Sunday which will select the top 3 cadets of the year. Busy, inspiring and humbling weekend ahead but difficult decisions await. 🥴🤞🏼
This is something I have always alluded to throughout my 35 years with the Corps as a CFAV. Written by a very wise WO who was sadly taken from us far too soon.
@ComdtAC
@WORAFAirCadets
@SWRegionRAFAC
@OCTVW
Minding my own business last night having a meal in local pub when lady next to us started to choke. First aid trained colleagues leapt up to help. She was fine. Discovered her dad used to work for me and her daughter is a Cadet FS. Small world!
Lovely moment on CE Reg final parade when a young cadet who had just won an ac recce trophy and was clearly beside himself marched up to me, beaming, and said “My Mum is going to be so proud of me!”. I hope she was!!!
A brilliant day celebrating the success of every part of the
@aircadets
family - staff, volunteers, cadets, civilian committee members and units. I’m humbled by the collective talent of this brilliant organisation!
Wishing all fathers (and all types of father figures) who support
@aircadets
a Happy Fathers’ Day. Hoping you are keeping well & sending a huge TY for your contribution. Any of you got a father in
@aircadets
& also a child who is a cadet?
#generationgame
Big shout out to all my staff and cadets who will be out in their thousands this weekend all over the UK supporting Battle of Britain commemorations and raising funds for RAF charities. A Force for Good. 👍
Happy 81st Birthday
@aircadets
& what a great year it will be.
@RAF_Emma
is now rowing the Atlantic, Air Experince Flying is back (thank you
@AOC22Group
), Gliding continues at scale (👏
@fts_2
), & we are growing in every corner of the UK.
Find out more at
On my way to London to preposition for one of the RAF’s biggest days in living memory - looking forward to Commemorating, Celebrating and Inspiring along with thousands of fellow RAF personnel and members of the RAF Family. Great year to be Comdt!
Today I was delighted to be able to promote Andy Pass into the rank of Group Captain as the
@aircadets
Senior Volunteer Advisor - I look forward to seeing Andy work with our Senior Leadership Team
This is a very rare treat, today I’m in the office working on some problems that don’t lend themselves to Teams or Skype. It’s been 70 days since i was last in here - the biggest shock will be having to wear socks and shoes all day!!
Have just spent 2 hours reading and re-reading the Dacre/ATC75/Thomson Sword nominations. I now feel exhausted and completely inadequate! Every single cadet has packed more into their 18-19 years than most adults of 50+ dream of. Humbled and Inspired.
Happy Mothers’ Day to all the wonderful mothers in the RAF Air Cadet family who support our activities - many of whom will give up their time again today to help others. You are all incredible.
Today HQ
@aircadets
said thank you & goodbye to Gp Capt Jim Leggat who retires after 40 yrs service and 10 yrs as RC Scotland & Northern Ireland. I was honoured to present Jim his Long Service & Good Conduct Medal.
Best wishes for your next Venture Adventure
@SNIRAFACMedia
Thrilled to see no less than 20 amazing members of the
@aircadets
receiving well-deserved public recognition of their contribution in the NYHL. Proud of you all and immensely grateful for your commitment.
A brilliant celebration of the success of the
@aircadets
very best staff, units, volunteers, and cadets, and the perfect way to draw a line under my time and handover to Air Cdre Al Lewis - thank you all, it’s been epic in so many ways!
Proud to welcome the newest Cadet Force Commission holders to the RAF Air Cadets in their new leadership roles. Congratulations to all on achieving the standard to receive a Queen’s Commission.
Super day spent with the talented
@aircadets
graduating on this year’s
@qaic_rafac
- big thank you to Air Marshal Phil Sturley for supporting this brilliant course!