Flying High!
In the warm September sunshine, over 530 Royal Air Force Air Cadets and 90 dedicated adult volunteers from Surrey Wing gathered at the historic Brooklands Museum for a day of competition and activities. The historic Weybridge site — famous for its aviation and motorsport heritage — provided the perfect backdrop for a day that brought the Surrey Wing’s squadrons together in force.
The annual “Field Day” is the flagship event for Surrey Wing, with cadets competing in competitions from archery to music, banner drill to aircraft recognition. In addition to the more traditional cadet competitions, the day also included more recent additions such as the STEM, robotics and Space challenges and an Escape Room.
The RAF Air Cadets motto is “Venture Adventure” which couldn’t be more apt. The cadets I spoke to, were all prepared to step forward to “embrace challenges, explore new experiences, and actively pursue personal growth”.
2026 is a landmark year for the RAF Air Cadets, since it marks the Cadets’ 85th anniversary. The RAF Cadets have trained and inspired generations of young people since its formation in 1941, and the turnout of hundreds of cadets and volunteers was a clear reflection of the organisation’s enduring appeal. Many long-serving staff and former cadets took the opportunity to reflect on their experiences, while newer recruits got a taste of the camaraderie that keeps cadets and volunteers coming back year after year.
It was a fantastic day which culminated in the Final Parade by all 531 cadets present under the watchful eyes of the Reviewing Officer, Group Captain Dr Vanessa Lawrence CB DL and Wing Commander John Machin DL. There was not a step out of place!
