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= 306 Runcorn Air Training Corps (Air Cadets) =

The Air Training Corps (ATC) is a British youth organisation partially sponsored by the Ministry of Defence and the Royal Air Force. A Full Time Reserve Service RAF officer serves as Commandant Air Cadets at the rank of Air Commodore. The majority of staff are volunteers. Although many Air Cadets go on to join the RAF or other services, the ATC is no longer set up as a recruiting organisation.

Activities include sport, adventurous training (such as walking and paddle-sports), ceremonial drill, rifle shooting, fieldcraft, powered aircraft and glider flying, and other outdoor activities, as well as classification training leading up to a BTEC in Aviation Studies. Week-long trips to RAF stations, or camps offering adventure training or music, allow the opportunity for cadets to gain a taste of military life and often to gain some flying experience in RAF gliders and RAF training aircraft such as the Grob Tutor.

Cadet membership can begin from the age of 12 and the start of School Year 8 (England and Wales). New members will join as a junior cadet (probationer) and can earn positions of increasing responsibility in a military rank structure, as well as having increasing skill and competence recognised in a classification scheme (First Class, Leading, Senior, Master and Instructor). Service as a cadet ends at the age of 20.

On December 1st 2017 the ACO (Air Cadet Organisation) Rebranded as Royal Air Force Air Cadets (RAFAC), all Uniformed staff will now wear their badges of ranking but instead of the VR(T) pips they will wear the RAFAC badges of rank.

Origins
All Air Cadet Squadrons get their crest and motto from the original Royal Air Force Squadron's and 306 is no different. The original Squadron was 306 "City of Torun" Polish Fighter Squadron. On August 28 1940 the R.A.F. Headquarters issued an order to officially form the unit at Chruch Fenton near Tadcaster, York. The squadron flew Hawker Hurricanes, It is unclear what day exactly the squadron was declared operational (either the 7th or the 8th November), but its first section of Hurricanes was put in readiness on October 29. During it's time the squadron also flew Supermarine Spitfires and North American P-51D Mustang's The No. 306 "City of Torun" Squadron ceased to exist on January 7, 1947.

Its war effort sum up in numbers: 8357 operational sorties for a total of 15,198 hours; 68 enemy aircraft destroyed, 17 probably destroyed and 27 damaged; over 60 V-1 flying bombs destroyed in the air; over 150 tons bombs dropped on targets.

Air Training Corps
In 1941 The Squadron was formed and Originally located on The Plantation, Highlands Road, Runcorn. The building was a WW2 prefab "spooner hut"

However in 2010 due to a dispute with the land owners and the disrepair of the building they moved to their current home, Crown Gate Barracks, Runcorn (Formally a TA Centre). Their new home was much more suited to the cadets needs, boasting an indoor sports hall, on site firing range and a large parade square. They share the building with the local Sea Cadet and Army Cadet Force Detatchments.

Commanding Officers
2000 - 2009 Flight Lieutenant M.Jordan

2009 - 2015 Flight Lieutenant J.Tague

2015 - Present Flight Lieutenant J.T.Williams BA

What do the Air Cadets do?
Air Experience Flight s - They fly Grob 115a Tutors out of RAF Woodvale

Gliding - They fly Grob 109a Vigilant s (Powered Gliders) out of RAF Woodvale. Prior to the Grob 109 a's they flew Grob 103c Viking s out of RAF Sealand prior to it's closing.

Shooting - They currently use the Scorpion Cadet Air Rifle, The L98A2 and the L81a2 on a rare occasion. If you were to go on advanced shooting courses there is a possibility of using the LSW.

Adventure Training - Including Mountain Biking, Canoeing, Parachuting and many more.

Sports - Including Football, Rugby, Hockey, Netball and many more. The sports can be done on a Squadron, Wing, Regional and National level.

Duke of Edinburgh Award - You can gain all of the Duke of Edinburgh Award badges.

Annual Camps - To various RAF stations around the country and if you're lucky the world with the International Air Cadet Exchange (IACE).

Drill and Discipline - Drill and Discipline are an integral part to cadet life as being part of a military organisation. You can learn how to do drill (Parading) and to give drill commands.

They also sit exams every 6 months to increase their classification and knowledge, eventually ending up with a BTEC in Aviation Studies.

Cadets
The maximum age for entry is 17 years old, therefore you can request to join anytime between your 12th (and be in Year 8 at high school) and 17th birthday.

Civilian Instructor
The minimum age is 20 and there is no upper limit as long as you are well enough to take part in activities.

Uniformed Staff
The minimum age is 20 and there is no upper limit as long as you are well enough to take part in activities. However there is a prerequisite of being a Civilian Instructor for a minimum of 6 months, you then need to go through Wing interview boards and Officers and Aircrew Selection at OASC RAF Cranwell (HQAC) or the SNCO course at RAF Cranwell.

Civilian Committee
The minimum age is 20 and there is no upper limit as long as you are well enough to attend the meetings. The civilian committee look after Squadron Funds and the Welfare of the Cadets.