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Formed in 1941 as a cadet branch of the Royal Air Force the
Air Training Corps (ATC) is today attached to the training
branch of the service. It operates from headquarters at RAF
Cranwell down through regions and wings to local squadrons.
The present Fakenham
squadron began life at RAF West Raynham in 1966 as a
detached flight of the Swaffham squadron. Ten years later it
attained full squadron status as 2534 (West Raynham)
Squadron. By then 1361 Squadron at Fakenham had disbanded.
When RAF West Raynham
closed in 1994 the West Raynham squadron moved to Fakenham
and took on the town’s name in its title. Today 2534
(Fakenham) Squadron, although not a school squadron, has
its own headquarters in the grounds of Fakenham College.
Parade nights are Mondays and Wednesdays with activities at
weekends and during the holidays. Young people can join from
the age of 13 years old and can take advantage of the
multitude of activities that the ATC has to offer.
The activities that the ATC can offer young people are many
and varied. As well as drill, ceremonial and aviation
studies there are many forms of adventure training available
as well as the opportunity to take part in camps. This
includes summer camps on RAF stations. Opportunities for
flying, gliding, shooting, music, radio operating and many
kinds of sporting activities are available to all cadets.
Older cadets have the chance of higher education
qualifications as well as the chance to travel abroad.
The sky really is the limit for air cadets.
For further information
contact the Commanding Officer: 01328 856780.
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