Local Air Cadet Squadron crowned best in UK

Wednesday 26 December 2018

Jersey's Air Cadets have beaten competition from over 900 squadrons to be crowned the best in the UK.

7 Overseas (Jersey) Squadron were recently presented with the Morris Trophy for their achievement.

The competition for the best Squadron began in January, with each submitting a detailed report on how they run and conduct their Wing's 12 core activities, which include flying, gliding, military engagement, shooting, drill, First Aid and Duke of Edinburgh Award.

There are 36 Squadrons within Jersey Squadron's Wing, Dorset and Wiltshire. In May, the Regional Commandant Gp Capt Eddie Cole MBE conducted a thorough inspection of the Squadron. They were also inspected by a team from the Health and Safety section of HQ Air Cadets, for a full day, which looked into every aspect of the training and record keeping.

Gp Capt Cole was impressed with what he saw of the Squadron and put them forward for the final stage, which included an inspection from the Commandant, Air Commodore Dawn McCafferty CBE.

Months of planning and preparation were required to get the Squadron ready for the two hour inspection. The cadets worked hard to ensure the Commandant would get the best impression of the staff, the Squadron and the Island, as well as themselves.

A “passport” was specially created for the Commandant, who also got to enjoy presentations and practical demonstration on every aspect of the training. It was however the enthusiasm of the cadets and the staff that swung the competition for them. When presenting the trophy, the Commandant was extremely complementary about the inspection.

Officer Commanding, Flight Lieutenant Victoria Atherton MBE said: “This is a vindication of the hard work that staff and cadets have been putting in for the past few years, it’s an incredible achievement and not only does it mean a huge amount to me, but I know that the cadets and staff are so proud to be the best in the UK”.

Training Officer, Flight Lieutenant Leighton Jenkins added: “This has been a huge team effort which started 45 years ago when the Squadron was formed and those staff and committee at the time had the vision to start the Squadron and all the companies, organisations and hundreds of people since then that have helped the Squadron to develop in to what it is now.”