2210 (Cowley) Squadron

If you're a fan of aviation, action and adventure, love sports and getting to know people then you're in the right place. Welcome to 2210 (Cowley) Squadron.

Are you up for fun, adventure, incredible experiences and making new friends? Are you looking for something to give you the edge in life? Then welcome to the 2210 Squadron! We are the biggest and most vibrant cadet unit in Oxford. Better known as "Cowley Air Cadets', we're part of the UK-wide Royal Air Force Air Cadets with more than 40,000 members aged between 12 and 20 years.

We're sponsored by the Royal Air Force and can give you hands-on experience of activities and courses that will challenge and develop your skills giving you real qualifications and experience to help you succeed in whatever you want to do.

Latest News for: 2210

Arnhem Airborne March 2018

Thames Valley Wing participated in this year’s Airborne March, which is part of the commemorations of the Battle for Arnhem in the Netherlands in 1944. The Airborne March is in memory to the 1750 plus British and Polish soldiers who lost their lives in the Battle of Arnhem in September 1944 and who are buried in the War Cemetery at Oosterbeek. The March takes place on the first Saturday in September each year. The first march was held in 1947. Further information on the Airborne March is available from: http://www.airbornewandeltocht.nl/en/airborne/44-background_airborne_march

Thames Valley Wing had 79 cadets and volunteer staff participate in 10 and 15 KM route marches as part of this event.

Thames Valley Wing’s objectives for this event were:

  • for cadets and adult volunteers to participate in the Arnhem March representing the Royal Air Force Air Cadets;
  • to learn about the Battle of Arnhemby visiting significant locations of the battle, the Airborne Museum Oosterbeek and to commemorate the Battle of Arnhem paying their respects at the War Cemetery Oosterbeek;

Should you be interested in participating next year, there are places available with Thames Valley Wing’s contingent. Please contact Flt Lt Nigel Furlong, Contingent Commander and Officer Commanding 2210 Cowley Squadron via our contact form

Top of the class for Adam!

Flight Sergeant  Adam Tobin from 2210 (Cowley) Squadron has been awarded Best Cadet at the prestigious Air Cadet Leadership Course at RAF Cranwell.

There is very little free time during the course and the days are long and demanding.  At the end of the week cadets tackle a peer assessment exercise and are then reported on and interviewed by their flight commander. Continue reading

Fieldcraft Trailblazers

Cadets and staff have recently undertaken two fieldcraft weekends with almost 90 cadets and staff being trained.

The first weekend focused on cadet fieldcraft skills with some of the cadets even sleeping under the stars in bivouacs with none of their normal luxuries. That alone is tough enough but to then add two days of intense and relentless training makes their achievement all the more significant. Continue reading

Inter Squadron Athletics

Woodley Air cadets have been crowned Athletics champs after an action packed day of competitions Abingdon’s Tilsley Park stadium. In taking the win they narrowly beat Slough and Britwell units from a field of almost 200 cadets from 14 Squadrons from right across Berkshire and Oxfordshire. The winners in each of the competitions will now go forward to represent Thames Valley Wing at the South West Region championships. Continue reading

Thames Valley Wing Mark the Centenary of the Royal Air Force in Windsor

Thames Valley Wing played a lead role when  over 700 RAF Air Cadets and Adult Volunteers from across the South West Region proudly celebrated RAF100 with an unprecedented parade through the streets of Windsor. With the iconic Windsor Castle in the background, the parade drew hundreds of people onto the streets to watch as a sea of light blue took over the Royal Berkshire town for the day. Continue reading

Joint Cadet Challenge Weekend

On the hottest weekend on record since 1976, Air Cadets from Thames Valley Wing attended the Oxfordshire’s Annual Joint Services Cadet Challenge. An annual competition organised between the Sea Cadets, Army Cadets and the Air Training Corps.

This year’s Challenge was hosted by the Sea Cadet Corps on board HMS Bristol, a commissioned warship permanently harboured in Portsmouth and used by the Cadet Forces for training. Continue reading

Celebrating the success of cadet and volunteers

Air Cadets and volunteer staff from across Thames Valley Wing Air Training Corps gathered at RAF Benson for an evening of celebrations during the annual THRIVE awards.

The THRIVE awards were established three years ago to recognise the achievements and successes of the individuals who support the Air Cadets in Berkshire and Oxfordshire. Hosted by RAF Benson and sponsored by five organisations 33 individuals received recognition on the evening for their efforts across several categories. Continue reading

Arnhem Bound

On the 1st of September, 61 cadets and volunteer staff of Thames Valley Wing will travel to Arnhem in the Netherlands to participate in the 70th Anniversary Airborne March. The Airborne March is held to commemorate the Battle for Arnhem in 1944 – made famous by the movie ‘A bridge to far’. Continue reading

Air Cadets parade in Windsor to mark their 75th Anniversary

360 Air Cadets and over 80 adult volunteers from across the Thames Valley Air Cadets came together on Sunday, 22nd May to celebrate the Air Training corps (ATC) 75th Anniversary.

Parading through Windsor and past the Guildhall it was an incredible sight to see the Thames Valley Air Cadets march through the streets and onto the Parish Church in all their splendour. Continue reading