281 Southport Squadron Royal Air Force Air Cadets

07/06/2026

Three of our cadets, accompanied by CI Walsh, recently travelled to RAF Shawbury for a shooting day organised by . 2348 Maghull Sqn

For some of the cadets, this was their first opportunity to fire live rounds, making it a memorable and rewarding experience. CI Walsh was also pleasantly surprised by his own shooting performance on the day!

A special congratulations goes to one of our cadets who achieved a Blue Shot qualification on the L98A2 Cadet Rifle. The rest of the team also gained valuable shooting experience and further developed their marksmanship skills.

We would like to extend our thanks to 2348 (Maghull) Squadron for organising such an excellent day. We thoroughly enjoyed taking part and hope to join you again in the future.

Cadets are taught weapon handling skills as part of a structured programme of supervised training that places a strong emphasis on the safe, responsible, and disciplined use of equipment.

05/06/2026

🎉🙌 Volunteers’ Week Spotlight 🙌🎉

This Volunteers’ Week, we’re celebrating the dedication and commitment of our amazing volunteers, next is Civilian Instructor Tom Hodgin! 🌟

Tom first joined the Air Training Corps in 2005 as a cadet at 319 (City of Salford) Squadron. After a short break from the organisation, he returned in 2021 as a Civilian Instructor at 281 (Southport) Squadron — and has been making a huge impact ever since! 👏✈️

🏅 Roles Held

📚 Squadron Training Officer (2022)
📝 Squadron Adjutant (2025)
⚽ Squadron Sports Officer
✈️ Aviation Officer
🥾 DofE Officer

Tom says the organisation provides a real sense of pride and accomplishment in everything we do. Whether it’s weekly parade nights, formal parades, activity days, or weekend camps, every event ends with a feeling of achievement and excitement for what’s coming next. 💙💪

Looking ahead, Tom’s goal for this year is to work towards gaining his Officer Commission 🎖️— an exciting next step in his RAF Air Cadets journey.

Thank you, Tom, for your dedication, enthusiasm, and commitment to developing young people. Your volunteer service truly makes a difference! 🌟👏

🙌💙✈️

05/06/2026

From Cadet to Officer Commanding! 🚀

This Volunteers' Week, we are celebrating our very own Officer Commanding, Flight Lieutenant Mike Molyneux, whose incredible journey proves just how far volunteering with the RAF Air Cadets can take you.

Way back in 2009, Flt Lt Molyneux walked through the doors of 281 Squadron as a brand-new cadet. Over the next six years, he smashed every goal, eventually achieving the highest possible cadet rank of Cadet Warrant Officer (CWO) before aging out in 2015.

But that was just the beginning! Driven to give back, Flt Lt Molyneux stayed on as an adult volunteer, taking on roles that shaped the next generation:

🔹 2015: Recruit Training Officer
🔹 2017: Promoted to Sergeant & appointed Squadron Training Officer
🔹 2019: Gained his Commission & became Squadron Adjutant
🔹 2021: Appointed Officer Commanding (OC) of 281 Squadron!

Talk about coming full circle! 🙌

In Flt Lt Molyneux’s words:

"This organisation has enabled me to develop a level of resilient leadership and confidence that has profoundly shaped both my professional and personal life. The RAFAC is so much more than aviation and drill; it’s a premier youth organisation that teaches teamwork, accountability, and self-belief. Watching the next generation walk through the same doors I did in 2009 and helping them unlock their potential is incredibly rewarding."

Volunteering with the air cadets isn't just about giving your time—it's about finding your own potential while helping others find theirs.

Thank you, Flt Lt Molyneux, for your incredible dedication to 281 Squadron! 👏👏

03/06/2026

30/05/2026

🎶 What a fantastic week it has been for both cadets and staff at North Region Music Camp! 🎶

Cadet Hannah and CI Walsh attended the week-long camp at Holcombe Moor Cadet Centre, where cadets spent their days marching and performing complex musical manoeuvres, including countermarches, bomb bursts, and X-box formations. These impressive displays saw musicians crossing through each other in perfect time, all while coping with the hot summer weather! ☀️

The concert band sessions were equally enjoyable, with favourites including How to Train Your Dragon, Don’t Stop Believin’, and Skyfall, which proved popular with cadets throughout the week.

With around 50 cadets and staff in attendance, it was a busy and successful camp, with many cadets earning new badges to proudly take back to their squadrons.

For both CI Walsh and Cadet Hannah, this was their first Music Camp experience—and it certainly won’t be their last! Both are already looking forward to returning next year.

If you’re a cadet who plays an instrument, why not put yourself forward for the next camp? You won’t regret it! 🎺🥁🎷

27/05/2026

As the weather gets warmer and schools break up for half term, many young people will naturally head outdoors with friends to enjoy the sunshine.

But following a recent series of tragic deaths linked to open water swimming across the UK, we want to make one thing very clear...

Please stay out of reservoirs, lakes, quarries, canals and other open water.

What looks calm and inviting on the surface can be incredibly dangerous underneath. Cold water shock, hidden currents, deep mud, debris and sudden drops in temperature can overwhelm even strong swimmers within seconds.

If your friends invite you to a reservoir, go and enjoy the day. Spend time together. Walk, talk, laugh, make memories.

But please do not go into the water.

No photograph, dare, trend or moment of excitement is worth risking your life for.

To our cadets, families, staff and wider community:

Please look after yourselves and each other this summer. Have fun, stay safe, and make smart decisions. Someone is always waiting for you to come home.

22/05/2026

For the last month or two under the instruction of CI Walsh and from the generous loan of the North West Veterans Drum Corps, we’ve got the beginning of our very own squadron drum corps.

Small steps to a big idea! 🥁🥁

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/

20/05/2026

Did you know as a member of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets you can start your The Duke of Edinburgh's Award here !

19/05/2026

What a week it’s been for two young members of 281 (Southport) Squadron! 👏

Over the past week, both Corporal Collins and Cadet De’Ath have achieved their Instructor Cadet Award, successfully completed their Master Air Cadet classification, and continued to show exactly what hard work and commitment can achieve within Royal Air Force Air Cadets.

To top it all off, following attendance on our recent mini JNCO course, Corporal Collins has become the first cadet from the weekend to be recognised with promotion to the rank of Sergeant! 🎉

A huge well done to you both on your fantastic achievements — your dedication and effort continue to set a great example within 281 Squadron.

We’re sure there will be more promotions to come from the mini JNCO course… watch this space 👀

Merseyside Wing Air Cadets
OC Merseyside Wing RAFAC