As the year draws to a close, we look back on an incredible 2024 for 2497 (Cosford) Squadron. From achievements by individual cadets to squadron-wide successes, this has been a year to remember!

Key highlights

This year, the squadron has seen remarkable growth, opportunities, and achievements:

• Social media reach: Over 57.6k views on Facebook and a staggering 404.1k views on Instagram, showcasing our cadets’ activities to the wider community.
• Recruitment: We welcomed 42 new cadets, bringing our total number of cadets to 92 – our strongest numbers in recent years!
• Recognition: One of our cadets was honoured to be appointed RAF Cosford Station Commander’s Cadet, a prestigious role demonstrating excellence.
• International opportunities: Another cadet participated in the International Air Cadet Exchange programme, representing both the squadron and the country.
• Training and achievements: Our cadets completed over 380 badges, qualifications, and training sessions, ranging from Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards to Progressive Training Syllabus qualifications.
• Fundraising success: We raised an impressive £3,720 from grants and donations, part-funding a new flight simulator and music equipment for cadet training and engagement.

It hardly seems that 12 months have passed by since I penned my last Christmas message, the year has literally flown by. 2024 perhaps didn’t go quite as we had hoped at the start of the year, for no sooner had we completed our squadron training week in February, that we found ourselves parading as guests of the Mechanical Training Squadron as a result of the need for roof repairs to our own building. These repairs may be taking a lot longer than we would have hoped to physically get started, however progress is slowly being made to resolve our building issues and I am confident that we will at some point next year be parading out of our revitalised squadron building once again.

Our building set-backs haven’t held us back as a squadron though, with squadron numbers steadily growing and our cadets progressing well across a wide range of disciplines. We have a lot to be proud of and for me it was really good to see individual achievements being recognised once again this year with the reintroduction of our presentation evening, which halted as a result of the Covid group size regulations. It was also really good to get one of our cadets to Canada as part of the International Air Cadet Exchange Programme something that reflects true personal achievement and is offered to only a handful of cadets nationally.

As well as personal achievements, we can recognise team spirit throughout 2024, with the West Mercian Wing Sports Trophy sitting proudly in our trophy cabinet. For me, the biggest team achievement must be the Remembrance Sunday parade where every squadron cadet came together to honour our war dead. This was nothing short of a magnificent squadron team effort with every squadron member playing their part to an exceptional standard.

As 2024 draws to a close, we can look back on the year passing, knowing that we have taken advantage of the many opportunities that came our way. We have thrived despite the restrictions placed upon us by our building problems. We can be proud of all that we have achieved as individuals and as a squadron, and can look forward to engaging in the opportunities 2025 brings. So, to each and every one of our squadron members, volunteers, trustees and cadets alike thank you for everything you do and the support that you give, have a peaceful and relaxing Christmas and an amazing New Year which I know is filled with many fantastic cadet opportunities.

I said last year that the squadron had had a very successful year and I find myself repeating that again this year. But perhaps the difference has been that this could have been a difficult year, with no permanent building and with the Squadron’s Officer Commander having to take a back seat, coping with surgery to improve his eyesight. But that does not seem to have affected cadet numbers, which have increased over the year. Nor has it dimmed the enthusiasm that I see every time I visit the squadron. So can I say a genuine ‘thank you’ to all the volunteers and the Cadet Non-Commissioned Officers, who have rallied round to make this possible. Not forgetting the parents and carers as well, for the encouragement they give and the taxi service they provide for so many parade evenings and other activities.

Memorable events for me over the year have included Air Training Corps Sunday at the Station Church, Albrighton Fayre, Wing Sports day, Presentation Evening, our annual Dinner and the remarkable turnout on Remembrance Sunday. All of these events have shown the Cadets at their best, either within the community or enjoying themselves at social and sporting activities. In all that they do cadets show their respect for the uniform they wear and the organisation of which they are part. Cadet numbers in the UK and Cyprus have risen back above pre-covid levels, with 44,000 Cadets and 10,000 volunteer staff.

So I look forward with optimism to 2025. It is hoped that the squadron building will soon be repaired and the cadets can return to a full range of activities. We now have the funds for a second flight simulator, which will give cadets a better opportunity to experience flight. It is also hoped that there will be more opportunities for actual flight from the Air Field.

My best wishes to the squadron and all those involved, for the New Year and beyond.

Looking ahead

As we reflect on the accomplishments of 2024, we’re excited to continue building on these successes in 2025. From growing our cadet numbers to expanding the opportunities available, 2497 (Cosford) Squadron remains committed to inspiring the next generation of leaders, aviators, and community champions.

Thank you for your continued support throughout 2024. Here’s to an even more successful 2025!

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