This was not the start to a new decade the Squadron was expecting and turned out to be one of the biggest changes of operating in the Squadrons and organisations history.
The year started as any other, with the Squadron running courses, camps and attending AEF and sporting events. The Squadron’s last events before the first COVID lock down, were the passout parade of number 65 Entry and a Bronze DofE training walk. Flt Sgt Emily Holmes was also promoted to CWO by Wing Commander O’Riley.
As the UK began a National Lockdown due to COVID-19, all face to face cadet training was of course stopped. The Squadron did carry on though, skipping one parade night for staff planning and then resuming parades online, including weekly sports sessions, which continued throughout 2020 and into 2021.
Parade highlights included running an online Fairbourne camp, with promotional videos (see below) and lots of activities ran by our NCO team.
Further, the Squadron ran an online enrolment for No 66 Entry and a live streamed presentation evening, as well as keeping up with other routine activities, such as NCO promotions.
Towards the end of the year, the Squadron did briefly get back to face to face activity and managed to parade around 100 cadets during October, with fieldcraft, leadership, teambuilding and first aid activities and training. Some cadets were also able to continue their Gold canoe DofE training sessions. The Squadron returned to online sessions as the second national lockdown came into effect.
Cadets received Blue First Aid badges following a course
The decision was made to skip a recruitment at the end of 2020, which is possibly one of the first missed since 1986.
2021
The Squadron continued with various "e-parades", the Air Training Corps celebrated it's 80th anniversary and in March, 146 again recruited as Number 67 Entry started online sessions.
66 Entry were finally able to visit the Squadron and receive their long overdue uniform and Squdron hats
In July the Squadron was due to visit the National Air Cadet Adventure Training Centre, but due to on-going organisational restrictions, a week of day activities from HQ was ran instead. The week was nicknamed as "Un-Fairbourne".
July also brought the sad passing of an ex-cadet, Eric Lare, who has become very close to the Squadron in recent years. A new trophy for "best turnout" was created in his honour, to be awarded to the cadet who has presented themselves highest during their First Class training. Chris and Steph, son and daughter of Eric, kindly attended the presentation of this award in July 2022, where it was awarded to Cdt Holland.
Cdt Holland with Steph and Chris at No69 Entry Passout Parade
In August 2021, our Gold Canoe group headed out on their expedition on the River Severn. All of the training during the past 12 months paid off in a successful expedition, a first for the Squadron and especially note-worthy due to the restrictions in place throughout.
Gold canoe DofE cadets
In September 2021, 66 and 67 Entry cadets were able to formally graduate at the Squadron, with Sqn Ldr Coulter, Wing Training Officer joining us as Reviewing Officer.
Also during September, FS Kaplan was selected as a CVQO Westminster Award finalist and also promoted to CWO the following month - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubEBqUT1exM
November saw a return to supporting the Poppy Appeal and local Remembrance Parades. Most restrictions now eased and the Squadron is mostly "back to normal" day to day operations.
2022
2022 saw a return to "normal" recruitment with Number 69 Entry, the Squadron also visited the Fairbourne centre for an earlier Easter camp in April. 80 cadets staff and guests were also able to celebrate the Anniversary of the Battle of Britain, with a return of the annual dinner. This event was sponsored by a kind donation from the Lare family, who kindly donated money from Eric Lare's estate, following his sad passing in 2021.
Cadets and NCOs at the Battle Of Britain Dinner
Flt Sgt Trainor was selected as one of the top 40 candidates for the CVQO Westminster Award, continuing a long streak of cadets from 146 getting to this stage. Sgt Evans also attended a Silver leadership course with Staffordshire Wing at Swynerton, a first for the Squadron under the Progressive Training Syllabus (PTS) system.
In May, WO Hensby and WO Doherty organised and ran another drill-a-thon, where cadets attended in shifts to perform drill for a full 24 hours. This raised an incredible £4290, to be split between the Squadron and Mid-Cheshire Food Bank.
Drill-a-thon cadets at the 12 hour 40 minute mark
June brought many celebrations, The Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II and also the release of Top Gun: Maverick. Both occasions marked by the Squadron, with parade dedicated parade nights!
Cadets outside the cinema to see Top Gun Maverick
Sqn Ldr Thompson and Flt Sgt Evans dressed for the Jubilee night
In July, some new uniformed staff came on board, with promotion to Acting Pilot Officer for CI Tours and Sgt for CI Holmes, both ex-cadets from 146.
Continuing in the Squadrons strive to help outside of usual Squadron duties, Fg Off Ross applied and was appointed as the Wing DofE Officer at the end of 2022, receiving a promotion to Flt lt.
2023
January 2023 saw the start of a new camp, taking place at Inskip Training Centre. This is a re-kindling of Alpha camp, that takes place for recruits at the end of their First Class training course. Previously held at Altcar Training Camp. Additionally, due to the much higher capacity of Inskip, a Delta camp portion was also added, allowing mainstream cadets to attend and achieve some higher PTS qualifications. Organised by Flt Lt Ross (Training Officer) for mainstream and APO Wilson / Sgt Brown (FCTC Directing Staff) for FCTC, the weekend was a great success.
All cadets from alpha and delta camp
Two more appointments to Wing early in 2023! APO Tours was also appointed as the Wing bandmaster. Wing Commander O'Riley, Merseyside Wing OC, was impressed by 146 Squadron's ongoing support of music and band, even during COVID lockdowns. Further, WO Hensby was appointed as the Deputy Sports Officer, an area she has assisted in for several years.
In February, through his work with the CCF, WO Doherty was promoted to Fg Off.
In April, yet another Westminster Award success, this time for Sgt Webster, through to the top 40 in the countries cadet forces.
In May, Merseyside Wing was offered six tickets to attend the King's Coronation concert. FO Moores and FS Trainor were selected to attend from 146 Squadron. Seven cadets also visited London to receive their Gold DofE awards, Kaplan, Palmer, Crowley.B, Tomlinson.S, Tomlinson.G, Hazlehurst and Cowhig.S.
Cadets receiving their Gold DofE Awards
In June, three cadets travelled to Normandy with 2359 Squadron.
In September, the Squadron placed 4th in the annual Wing Field Training Day, with notable results in music and archery. The following month, the Squadron band cadets performed with the Wing band, alongside cadets from 281, 306, 1128 and 1913 Sqns, placing 3rd during the Region Training Day.
As 2023 came to a close, the Squadron again took the decision to skip a recruitment cycle, delaying until March 2024. Struggles with staff numbers and building capacity, has meant a reduction in overall cadet numbers was needed, to ensure the best cadet experience for current cadets.
