Week 4's Wing World Cup inspired competition involving air cadet squadrons running a different football challenge a week proved surprisingly hard and frustrating. It appears that success in one of challenges doesn't mean success in all, hence competition is wide open. Cdt P came top on last week's passing challenge. Idea is we can at least award best in 1368 Sqn. Sgt F is keeping scores and has been submitting to Wing.   Everything to play for as we enter Wk 5. Normally, enthusiasm about England's soccer chances would've disappeared by now (2 days to go before that happens).

Congratulations to Cpl G on her promotion to 1368's Senior NCO team to help lead the JNCO team as we expand it in the coming months and years. She is also going to take on a role as DofE Junior Leader to help manage a very large number of cadets who need to get sections signed for classifications, leadership, athletics and other things they've been doing on Sqn over last 6 months. Long time coming.  The NCO team remains at the heart of what 1368 Sqn achieves. Promotion is not based on what you say you will do, it's based on what you've done. With 76 cadets, and very stable numbers in the NCO age range, there is a fixed number of available positions at each rank, hence it is only a high-calibre of cadet that gets promoted. Well done.

Now 9 months since joint cadet centre building (shared with army cadets) was closed due to failure to perform legal building safety checks by RFCA West Midlands (after an MOD value for money review led to change to MOD's main estate VIVO Defence contractor in Aug 2024 involving the Defence Infrastructure Organisation). It has been parading at alternative venues since Oct 2025. Direct costs to parents/cadets, of the failure of MOD contract change to maintenance of volunteer estate buildings, now stands at £3185.75. Indirect costs on volunteer's time is significantly higher. Sqn has 76 enrolled cadets (2nd largest in Wing). It is current holder of the Wing Per Ardua trophy for best Sqn after overall win in Sept 2025 (a competition involving a wide range of activities, incl. Ensemble, STEM, Drill, Banner, Radio, First Aid etc). 1368 cadets/NCOs won the Warwickshire and Birmingham Wing Athletics Championships in May 2026. It is also current holder of all 3 Wing Sports trophies (Sqn...

Has been an exceptionally busy period despite 9 months without a building. Last Sat saw cadets from 1368 Sqn participate in Leamington & Warwick Armed Forces Day for 3rd year running, incl. annual drill & challenge competitions against the local Army and Sea Cadets. 1368 won the drill again, 2nd in "the challenge" to the Sea Cadets. Well done all. Also great engagement with the general public with cadets showing little kids first aid and drumming, and entertaining dignitaries, and some great shots with the tank. Another win for 1368 Community Duty pillar this year. Great staff team performance and also thanks to 1289's FS R for helping with drill prep and on the day.

We occasional miss the opportunity, but 2026 is turning out to the year of the cake. With Year 11 exams almost done, last week saw another cake creation battle as Sgt G reached the ripe old age of 16. FS R's sloppy RAF roundel was really tasty with a light sponge (no photo though/FS R jumped the gun). Cdt R's creation was an MTP-themed air cadet Chocolate cake with brown/green mini-poos being attacked by Spitfires. Bravo to both bakers. Both were very nice.

Teamwork is about believing in a common goal and going for it. Leadership is about getting others to believe. Cdt L received the honours as COTM for last month for his contribution with Wing Athletics Competition 2026 win, engagement in preparation, negotiating tactical changes, running great warm ups and cool downs. There was lots of others, but his positive energy and regular attendance as a senior cadet, really helped to lead others to the win this year.

Now 8 months since building was closed as a result of RFCA/DIO contract changes as a result of  Volunteer_Estate_Value_for_Money_Study_Report.pdf  (adoption of contract for maintenance by VIVO). Cadets are looking forward to returning as the door was fixed in Feb 2026.  Hard facilities management services for the Volunteer Estate to be delivered by the MOD Built Estates contract - RFCA Yorkshire

Cpl K became the first 1368 NCO to be awarded a 2nd night-hood for outstanding NCO-ness (gets to look after the Gnorman hat again). An outstanding job holding the fort with other NCOs away doing GCSEs/A Levels, a period which has seen great success with Review cadets stepping into acting JNCO roles.  Cpl K also took on 0426 intake mgmt and played a big part on regency run success. Only one step away from a coveted 1368 Millennium Falcon medal (not seen since 2024).

Handcuffs, batons, tasers, cars, police sirens/lights, and dressing up. What's not to like? 😉 Warwickshire Police's youth engagement team did a brilliant couple of nights for us last week to spice things up.  Quite educational (lots of tips for your future Nandos journey). We learnt loads.    Cdt M/Cdt B won the Quiz star prizes (Well done, 15/15 correct answers!).

Cdt S-M was OC's COTM for last month. Intelligent leadership & thoughts for others, Great +ve feedback from Wing JNCO course.

Managed to get stock of Blue Leadership badges for Cdt W, Cdt H and Cdt K. Bronze DofE certificates and badges to Cdt B and Cdt M. Cdt S and Cdt K recently did AEF. They got their blue flying wings after completing Part Task Trainer (PTT) element on Monday with adult Sgt G from 612 VGS (with help from Plt Off D in setting up Flight Sim), and (finally) Cdt M got his Leading cadet classification badge. Meanwhile, some of our junior/mids have been working on Bronze Cyber badge (Plt Off D taking lead) and been kicking of Bronze iDEA registrations.

Cdt B was OC's COTM for last month. A high-flying cadet, his keenness and thoughts for others being primary factors, esp. his signing up for ex-1368 OC Wg Cdr Dawe's funeral.

Easter hols saw us finishing-off blue leadership and attempting band finish-offs. Great success with blue leadership, badges to come though. Well done to Cdt C on passing Blue Badge band (marching drums) with sustained engagement and high attendance. Some photos also of first class, senior and master badge passes as cadets move up a level. Silver group did stove safety refresher ahead of exped.

Great opportunity for any 16-21 year old living in CV34 to go on the Warwick Twinning exchange visit to Germany this summer - FREE! Sponsored by Warwick Town Council and the Twinning Association...just need to apply...🇪🇺♥️

It's now approaching 6 months now since the building was closed due to failure of the building maintenance system following the award to VIVO Defence  as a result of  Volunteer_Estate_Value_for_Money_Study_Report.pdf  which concluded that RFCA use MOD's existing built estates supplier starting in August 2024 as it would provide better value for money. We thank those members of the local community that have helped us continue to deliver with alternatives and RAFAC HQ who have tried their best to resolve. 

As a result of high attendance and stalwart performance in excess of rank, "Gnorman night of the Domino Pizza order" hat ownership passed from Cpl K to Cpl G last Monday for outstanding NCO-ness. She got to take an NCO selfie with NCO team. 3 of these that she might get the prestigious NCO Millennium Falcon medal.

Well done to 0925 intake's Cdt B who was OC's CotM for last month. Consistently putting himself forward, he was one of few juniors to sign-up to represent Sqn for cross country, in first batch of First Class & Blue Leadership badges and already has a Aviation Blue Badge (showing importance of getting engaged, listening for the cues and signing up for stuff).

Monday saw Cdt R promoted to Cpl and Cpl H promoted to Sgt, to close off the last round of promotion interviews and assessments. Cpl R will help sharpen uniform/drill standards, and Sgt H will continue to bring his positive mental attitude. Promotions carried out now to have a bigger NCO pool as many will end up being in and out at various times as they are in final exam years (which is fine).  The new 0226 intake's also been receiving help from cadet, who've volunteered to mentor and help them (actually, seems to be going well but also great for DofE Volunteering coaching, teaching and leadership sign-off).

Half-term week saw sqn use down-time for another sports night, incl. legendary 1368 capture the flag game. Wed saw new intake accelerated induction daytime (not many photos) but we also had a talk from an ex-RAF engineer, an incite in training pathway and RAF slang such as liney (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_slang).  In terms of badges, Cdts C/A both passed Blue Radio taught by Cpl B and Cpl H.  Also, leading the way with Leading badge passed were Cdts B-R and G. Cdts P, B and G MkIII first to get the First Class badges. We also did a little pre-kick-off for Wednesday with practice pads and intro to SMEAC/blue leadership.

1368 Squadron is still waiting for Department of Defence Infrastructure to appoint a contractor able to fix a door soft close mechanism. It's been 4 months now with no fix and no plan. Parents have contacted the local MP Matt Weston.