North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets

13/06/2026

13/06/2026

Heading to Cosford Airshow on Sunday? Why not visit the VEX stand in the Air Cadet Zone.

CI Stubbs (NW VEX Lead) from 201 Macclesfield Squadron Air Training Corps will be there to answer any questions about the North Region VEX league and its progression into a Tri-Service League.

She will be showcasing VEX V5 Pushback and the VEX IQ Classroom kits throughout the day.

If you are visiting - come and say hello - our team would love to show you what cadets across the region are building and achieving through STEM.

North of England RFCA
Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Royal Air Force
Air Cadet Charity
Commandant Air Cadets
Greater Manchester Wing - Air Training Corps
Cumbria and Lancashire Wing
Merseyside Wing Air Cadets
Durham Northumberland Wing Air Cadets
South & West Yorkshire Wing
SSAFA North Yorkshire
Central & East Yorkshire Wing RAFAC
VEX Robotics

29/05/2026

NEW REGIONAL COMMANDANT NORTH

We are delighted to introduce Wing Commander Steve Fry as the new Regional Commandant for North Region! 🌟

On his appointment, Wg Cdr Fry said:

"It’s an absolute privilege to be appointed as Regional Commandant for the North Region. I’m hugely excited to carry on the great work of Gp Capt Leeming and the team. Working alongside our dedicated full-time staff and the fantastic adult volunteers who give so much of themselves for the nearly 10,000 cadets across the Region will be incredible."

Please join us in welcoming Wg Cdr Fry to his new role and wishing him the very best of luck! 🚀

Welcome to our fantastic region Sir!!!

21/05/2026

🌟 BIG NEWS! 🌟

We are thrilled to share that the Ministry of Defence is launching the first-ever National Cadets Week! 🚀

This landmark week is all about celebrating the incredible achievements of our cadets, shining a light on the dedication of our adult volunteers, and helping young people right across the UK reconnect with the Armed Forces 🇬🇧✈️

From developing life-changing skills and leadership to taking part in unforgettable aviation and fieldcraft experiences, the cadet movement builds the foundations for excellence.

To our cadets and CFAVs past and present, thank you for making our community what it is. Let's make this first National Cadets Week unforgettable!

🧑‍✈️ Want to find out more about what this means for the RAF Air Cadets? Read the full announcement here:

🔗 https://www.raf.mod.uk/aircadets/news/first-ever-national-cadets-week-to-celebrate-cadets-and-reconnect-young-people-with-the-armed-forces/

26/04/2026

What an amazing weekend. The cadets worked so hard over the event.
Well done to 1263 Rochdale Royal Air Force Air Cadets and Kirkham Grammar CCF (RAF section) who were crowned Tournament Champions, Chorley Air Cadets - 92 Sqn RAFAC who came away with Robot Skills Champion and Cdr Smedley from Kirkham Grammar CCF who was unanimously awarded the Sportmanship Award for all of his hardwork and support over the weekend. More images to follow !

VEX Robotics
Commandant Air Cadets
Robotics Education & Competition Foundation
Kirkham Grammar School

‼️NORTH WEST REGIONAL VEX QUALIFIER‼️

Cadets from 1263 (Rochdale) Sqn, 1969 (Rossendale) Sqn, 201 (Macclesfield) Sqn, 92 (Chroley) Sqn, T0033A (Calday grange grammar school), T0110A (Birchwood Community High School CCF RAF), T0120A (Kirkham Grammar School CCF RAF), T0513A (The Ripley St Thomas CofE Academy CCF RAF) attended the North West Regional VEX Qualifier at Inskip this weekend.

Thank you to Sqn Ldr Theresa Russell, North Region STEM Officer and National VEX lead for arranging and running this event along side your dedicated staff team.

Congratulations to all cadets who attended and took part.

Commandant Air Cadets
Royal Air Force Air Cadets
North Region - Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Regional Commandant North - Air Cadets
Lancashire Lieutenancy
RFCA for the North West of England & the Isle of Man

15/04/2026

RAFAC JOIN THE ACF FOR A FANTASTIC MUSIC CAMP

What a week it has been for the cadets of North Region Band.

Last week, cadets from across the region travelled to Otterburn Training Camp to take part in the Annual Spring Army Cadet Force National Music Camp. Throughout the week, cadets joined the ACF for specialist music tuition with the National ACF Band and Corps of Drums.

This intense week of training culminated in a final massed parade in front of parents, and some of our cadets also took part in the Beating Retreat at Edinburgh Castle.

All of our cadets performed exceptionally well. In particular, two of our cadets received special awards as the most improved in their cadres. These awards were selected by the ACF staff leading each cadre in recognition of their exceptional effort, progress, and development throughout the week.

Cpl Simpson 2337 Northallerton
Cpl Johnson 7F City of Liverpool

A huge congratulations must also go to the North Region Corps of Drums, who delivered a flawless performance during the final parade and represented the very best of our young men and women.

Finally, a huge thank you to all of the staff who made this event possible. Without the dedication and commitment of our Cadet Forces Adult Volunteers, this event would not have taken place.

Interested in music? North Region Music May Camp is now live on Cadet Portal. Please speak to your squadron staff for more details.

Cumbria and Lancashire Wing
South & West Yorkshire Wing
Central & East Yorkshire Wing RAFAC
Merseyside Wing Air Cadets
Durham Northumberland Wing Air Cadets
Greater Manchester Wing - Air Training Corps

Regional Commandant North - Air Cadets
Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Army Cadets Scotland Music

Commandant Air Cadets

02/04/2026

NORTH REGION SAYS FAREWELL TO AN AMAZING LEADER AND TRUE GENTLEMAN!

Today we mark the last day in office before retirement of a truly remarkable individual, our very own Regional Commandant, Group Captain Mark Leeming.

From his early days as a former CCF (RAF) Cadet to joining the Royal Air Force as an Administrative Clerk in 1984, Group Captain Leeming’s journey has been nothing short of inspiring. Rising through the ranks from Sergeant to Group Captain, his career has been defined by dedication, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to service.

Across a distinguished career spanning decades, Group Captain Leeming has held a wide range of appointments from operational roles in the UK and overseas, including Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan, to key leadership positions shaping personnel policy, welfare, and career management across the RAF. His leadership at RAF Northolt and his recognition as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2015 speak volumes about the impact he has had on service families and the wider RAF community.

But beyond the titles and achievements, Group Captain Leeming will be remembered as a true gentleman and an exceptional leader. As Regional Commandant North for RAFAC, he has shaped the lives of countless cadets and volunteers, inspiring future generations with his guidance, wisdom, and genuine care for people.

His legacy is not only shown in his accomplishments, but in the people he has mentored, supported, and inspired along the way.

Group Captain Leeming we thank you for your service, your leadership, and your dedication. You leave behind an enduring legacy and an Region and organisation that is stronger because of you.

Group Captain Leeming will formally retire in August this year.

Wishing you a long, happy, and well-deserved retirement.

Durham Northumberland Wing Air Cadets
Greater Manchester Wing - Air Training Corps
Cumbria and Lancashire Wing
Central & East Yorkshire Wing
Regional Commandant North - Air Cadets
Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Commandant Air Cadets
South & West Yorkshire Wing
Merseyside Wing Air Cadets

24/03/2026

24/03/2026

Another amazing weekend of VEX V5 robotics development and competition. New teams have joined and it was great to see and our new army teams - Ponteland and Gosforth Army Cadets - all competing at RGS Newcastle. Newton Aycliffe and Ponteland ended the weekend as joint Tournament Champions - next event in April … let’s see who wins that one! Commandant Air Cadets Regional Commandant North - Air Cadets

22/03/2026

FULL TIME RESULTS ARE IN ⚽🔥

What a day at the North Region Inter-Wing 5-a-side Football Tournament...

U14 Winners: Greater Manchester Wing
U16 Winners: Merseyside Wing
U18 Winners: Central & East Yorkshire Wing

And your overall North Region champions are…
🏆 Merseyside Wing 🏆

Back-to-back champions. They’ve done it again. Consistency, quality and serious squad depth on show all day!

Final overall standings:
🥇Merseyside Wing
🥈South & West Yorkshire Wing
🥉Central & East Yorkshire Wing
4th - Greater Manchester Wing
5th - Cumbria & Lancashire Wing
6th - Durham & Northumberland Wing

Massive credit to every Wing involved. From first whistle to final goal, it’s been non-stop energy, teamwork and pride across the region 👏

Special thank you to Wg Cdr Stratton (OC GMW) for presenting the awards, and thank you to Sqn Ldr Nash (Regional Sports Officer) and the team for organising another fantastic event!



Commandant Air Cadets Royal Air Force Air Cadets Regional Commandant North - Air Cadets