The Sqn continues to look to the future SNCO team structure to cope with strong numbers and retention. Setting personal achievement, drill and uniform standards for others, and a mature understanding of leadership qualities, Cpl G was selected for promotion to rank of Sgt following a mature and effective boarding interview on Monday.  “Setting an example is not the main means of influencing others, it is the only means.”  ― Albert Einstein.  Well done, it won't get any easier.

Sunday saw 3 lucky cadets from 1368 jump in last minute to fulfill scratch places at 612 VGS, Little Rissington. The cadets got a mother's day of dreams (for an air cadet) with their heads in the clouds. It was a glorious and gusty sunny day, including taking control of an RAF Viking T1 (Grob G 103A Twin II Acro) and learning how to assist on the ground. Congrats to Cdt Y who achieved Blue Flying Wings.

Massive congratulations to 1368's CWO D who became one of the first air cadets in the country to undertake the new RAF-delivered ACPS scheme at RAF Leuchars in Scotland in March 2025 to achieve Gold Flying Wings. A trailblazer for the new RAF programme, he got to fly a Tutor T1 plane solo for the first time. Many thanks to the Royal Air Force for providing the opportunity. Hopefully the start of many more for cadets that continue their cadet experience post 18.

Wednesday saw a visit by more established Leamington Sea Cadet band to explore uncharted territory in new learning and friendships between them and 1368, leading on from some shared events last year including the rather spontaneous "Run rabbit run" competition at the Leamington Remembrance Concert last November. This was the first ever joint Sea Cadet/1368 Sqn band attempt. I suspect, if we can nail a joint band performance, it would turn a few heads and generate some waves in terms of inter-service collaboration.

Sqn occasionally hitting 50+ cadets if new/old turn up. Squadron has been doing Blue Leadership finish-offs (think Traitor's like Team challenges where participants take turn to lead and there are no traitors). We've been doing this for 6 weeks with 26 Junior's all passing 2 assessments (badges on order, only 2 haven't). As we enter final stages of this Blue Badge training focus there's also a focus on Blue Band Trainee's moving from from practice pads to real instruments ahead of Apr marching band assessments. Our Mid-Uppers have been acing their Silver Duke of Edinburgh Award exped readiness/planning ahead of schedule due to start of Athletics training in April. Amazing giant Civilian Wings badge for Cdt E (solo gliding outside of cadets). Senior badges for Cdts E/S/Cpl B. Master badge for Cdt P. Leading badge for Cdt M. 

Flying Gods finally aligned and AEF8 managed to get 4 1368 cadets airborne on Wednesday with 2 last minute scratch places added. Blue Aviation Wings awarded to Cdt F, Cdt K, Cdt S, Cdt C (they can make the most of jumper before summer!). Many thanks to staff from 1289 Sqn who took them. Amazing experience with a chance to take controls and start learning how to fly for real, to add to previous flight sim and ground training.  Many thanks to the weather and pilots who took them.