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𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐘 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐘𝐄𝐀𝐑 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝟏𝟒𝟎𝟗 🎉✈️

As we welcome 2026, everyone at 1409 (Consett) Squadron would like to wish a Happy New Year to all our followers, supporters, cadets, staff, and families.

2025 was an extremely successful year for us, with many achievements and firsts, from our air rifle range coming online for the first time, to the onboarding of 3 new members of staff!

Following a squadron staff planning meeting held on 21 December between all staff members, we’re excited to say that 2026 is shaping up to be our biggest and best year yet.

There’s a huge amount in the works—from new training opportunities and activities to camps, competitions, and community events—and we can’t wait to share what’s coming next.

Thank you for being part of our journey. Here’s to another year of opportunity, challenge, and achievement at 1409 Squadron! 💙

Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Durham Northumberland Wing Air Cadets
North Region – Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Regional Commandant North – Air Cadets
Commandant Air Cadets
North of England RFCA
Consett Magazine
Consett in Focus
Consett and surrounding areas

𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐑𝐘 𝐂𝐇𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐌𝐀𝐒 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝟏𝟒𝟎𝟗 🎄✈️

This week marked the final parade night of 2025 for 1409 (Consett) Squadron, bringing another busy and successful year to a close.

Throughout the year, our cadets have taken part in flying, shooting, camps, competitions, community events, and a wide range of training activities, and we would like to say a sincere thank you to everyone who has supported the squadron this year enabling us to continue to deliver a fantastic offering to our cadets.

We would especially like to thank our Civilian Committee, for their continued support and vital funding. Without their dedicated support to the Squadron, a lot of what we deliver simply would not be possible. So from the entire staff team, thank you!

To all of our staff, cadets, and parents/guardians, none of what we achieve would be possible without your time, effort, and commitment. You make the Squadron what it is!

From everyone at 1409 (Consett) Squadron, we wish our cadets, families, supporters, and friends a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 🎅🎁

Our dedicated staff team will be meeting on Monday to plan out the 2026 activities in their entirety, we have an extremely eventful year planned for you all!

We look forward to welcoming everyone back in the New Year for another exciting year of cadet activities! 💙

Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Durham Northumberland Wing Air Cadets
North Region – Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Regional Commandant North – Air Cadets
Commandant Air Cadets
North of England RFCA
Consett Magazine
Consett in Focus
Consett and surrounding areas

𝐂𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐓𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘 🗑️🌍

Cadets from 1409 (Consett) Squadron RAF Air Cadets have been out in the Consett area taking part in a litter picking activity, helping to keep our local community clean and welcoming.

Armed with litter pickers, gloves, and plenty of energy, cadets worked their way through local footpaths, green spaces, and public areas—collecting rubbish, improving the environment, and setting a great example for others.

Community service is a key part of the RAF Air Cadets ethos, and our cadets once again demonstrated teamwork, pride, and a positive attitude throughout the activity. Their efforts made a noticeable difference, and we are incredibly proud of their commitment.

A big thank you to all cadets and staff who took part! 👏

Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Durham Northumberland Wing Air Cadets
North Region – Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Regional Commandant North – Air Cadets
Commandant Air Cadets
North of England RFCA
Consett Magazine
Consett in Focus
Consett and surrounding areas

𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐎𝐓𝐒 𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐂𝐑𝐀𝐅𝐓 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐉𝐄𝐂𝐓 ⛰️🛩️

Cadets from 1409 (Consett) Squadron RAF Air Cadets have recently been taking part in the Cheviots Aircraft Project, an activity focused on exploring historic military aircraft crash sites in the Cheviot Hills and learning about the stories behind them.

Cadets completed a challenging hillwalks to the sites of various wartime aircraft crashes, navigating across open moorland and rugged terrain. Along the way, they learned about:

✅ The history and circumstances of the aircraft involved
✅ The challenges faced by aircrew flying over the Cheviots during WWII
✅ How geography, weather, and navigation played a role in wartime aviation
✅ The importance of preserving these sites and remembering those who served

The project culminated with a showcase on Sunday, with presenting their findings and what they have learnt throughout the project.

This has been a valuable mix of physical challenge, heritage learning, and respectful reflection, giving cadets a deeper appreciation of the region’s aviation history and the sacrifices made during the war.

Well done to all cadets who took part!

Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Durham Northumberland Wing Air Cadets
North Region – Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Regional Commandant North – Air Cadets
Commandant Air Cadets
North of England RFCA
Consett Magazine
Consett in Focus
Consett and surrounding areas

𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐈𝐍 𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 🍽️🎖️

On Friday evening, cadets and staff from 1409 (Consett) Squadron RAF Air Cadets gathered at Derwent Manor Boutique Hotel for our annual Dining In Night—a fantastic opportunity to come together, celebrate achievements, and reflect on another successful year for the squadron.

The evening followed traditional RAF Mess customs, giving cadets the chance to experience a formal military dining atmosphere. With speeches, toasts, and plenty of shared memories, it was a superb night that highlighted the teamwork, commitment, and spirit shown throughout the year.

It also afforded us the opportunity to dine in new members of staff and formally welcome them to the Squadron, as well as dine out those who will sadly be leaving us.

In particular we say "so long but not goodbye" to Sqn Ldr Gilmour as he takes on his new role as a sector commander within the wing.

A huge thank you to the staff, cadets, families, and Derwent Manor for helping make the evening such a success. Here’s to another great year ahead for 1409 Squadron! 💙✈️

Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Durham Northumberland Wing Air Cadets
North Region – Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Regional Commandant North – Air Cadets
Commandant Air Cadets
North of England RFCA
Consett Magazine
Consett in Focus
Consett and surrounding areas

𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐨𝐥𝐝, 𝐚𝐬 𝐰𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐭 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐥𝐝:

𝐀𝐠𝐞 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦, 𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐧.

𝐀𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠,

𝐖𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦. 🌹