1039 (Gillingham) Squadron ATC

1039 (Gillingham) Squadron ATC This is the official page for 1039 (Gillingham) Squadron Air Cadets.

The RAF Air Cadets (RAFAC), better known as the ‘Air Cadets’, is a UK-wide cadet force with more than 40,000 members aged between 13 and 20 years. RAFAC is sponsored by the Royal Air Force and can give you hands-on experience of activities and courses that will challenge and develop your skills to help you succeed in whatever you want to do. At 1039 (Gillingham) Squadron, we are delighted to be ab

le to offer a wide range of activities for all our cadets, including flying and gliding, adventure training, shooting, sports and music. Our cadets are also able to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme and work towards formal qualifications including BTECs.

We are delighted to announce that our Squadron Padre, Bernie Pinner, has been awarded the British Empire Medal.Bernie jo...
13/06/2026

We are delighted to announce that our Squadron Padre, Bernie Pinner, has been awarded the British Empire Medal.

Bernie joined 1039 as our padre in 2005. However, his involvement has extended well beyond his focus on the wellbeing of our cadets and he can often be found teaching cadets new skills and knowledge, with particular involvement in the training of our newest recruits.

Beyond 1039, he is a familiar face around Kent Wing, both as the Deputy Wing Chaplain and as a regular attendee at Wing events, most notably road marching.

Bernie has been recognised in the King's Birthday Honours for his services to RAFAC and also for his international missionary work, reflecting his selfless commitment to the community both home and abroad over many years.

Congratulations, Bernie, on your very well-deserved award!

Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Commandant Air Cadets
London & South East Region Air Cadets
Regional Commandant LASER Air Cadets
Kent Wing Air Cadets

Sgt Malik being awarded his Blue Wings as part of the RAFAC progressive training syllabus that includes successfully com...
27/05/2026

Sgt Malik being awarded his Blue Wings as part of the RAFAC progressive training syllabus that includes successfully completing three core elements. These elements being a Flying Operations ground lesson & an approved simulator session, along with an actual air experience flight, all of which is available to cadets that have reached the minimum age of 13 years & 3 months.

Looking to experience all that is on offer from the Air Cadets!
Register for our September intake at
https://www.kentaircadets.com/join-us/join-cadet/

Another milestone reached as our growing number of musicians add to their achievements, having been awarded their blue b...
21/05/2026

Another milestone reached as our growing number of musicians add to their achievements, having been awarded their blue badges as part of the RAFAC Progressive Training Syllabus.
Well Done 👏

Looking to experience all that is on offer from the Air Cadets!
Register for our September intake at
https://www.kentaircadets.com/join-us/join-cadet/

This week we studied the history & challenges that the RAF faced for the Dambusters raid that took place overnight on Ma...
19/05/2026

This week we studied the history & challenges that the RAF faced for the Dambusters raid that took place overnight on May 16th/17th, 1943, combining a presentation with a STEM activity, along with a skills task, just the balance of fun & studies.

Looking to experience all that is on offer from the Air Cadets!
Register for our September intake at
https://www.kentaircadets.com/join-us/join-cadet/

.... and yet more Cadets receiving their Blue Wings, Radio Communications & Space Studies badges.Well done to you all, k...
12/05/2026

.... and yet more Cadets receiving their Blue Wings, Radio Communications & Space Studies badges.
Well done to you all, keep up the good work. 👏

Looking to experience all that is on offer from the Air Cadets!
Register for our September intake at
https://www.kentaircadets.com/join-us/join-cadet/

It's been a busy few months, with a lot of successful cadets, so it's always great to be able to award them their badges...
10/05/2026

It's been a busy few months, with a lot of successful cadets, so it's always great to be able to award them their badges.
This time it was their Blue Wings, Radio Communications & Space Studies, just some of the RAFAC progressive training syllabus that all cadets can engage with from the day they join.

Looking to experience all that is on offer from the Air Cadets!
Register for our September intake at
https://www.kentaircadets.com/join-us/join-cadet/

A great day for flying at RAF Benson, as our cadets joined those from 402 Gravesend, 593 Sevenoaks & 2158 Swanley.Lookin...
01/05/2026

A great day for flying at RAF Benson, as our cadets joined those from 402 Gravesend, 593 Sevenoaks & 2158 Swanley.

Looking to experience all that is on offer from the Air Cadets!
Register for our September intake at
https://www.kentaircadets.com/join-us/join-cadet/

Well Done to Cadet Reindorf who has received the Bronze Musicians Award, only the second cadet in the Squadron to hold t...
19/03/2026

Well Done to Cadet Reindorf who has received the Bronze Musicians Award, only the second cadet in the Squadron to hold the award. Received as part of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets' Progressive Training Syllabus, this was awarded to recognize his proficiency in playing a musical instrument at a Wing level.

A great day at the Kent Wing Band training day, where 7 of our Cadets joined others from across the county, combining th...
01/03/2026

A great day at the Kent Wing Band training day, where 7 of our Cadets joined others from across the county, combining their musical-skills gained at the Squadron with the ability to work within a marching band.
Well Done. 👏

This evening marked the retirement of 1039's longest-serving adult volunteer, CI David Bairnsfather.David initially join...
13/02/2026

This evening marked the retirement of 1039's longest-serving adult volunteer, CI David Bairnsfather.

David initially joined the civilian committee in 2001 before moving over to become an adult volunteer the following year.

He has served as the squadron's adjutant, training officer and latterly supply officer. He has given up countless weekends to take cadets to flying, gliding, shooting, sports and a whole host of other events, volunteering early starts, long drives and late finishes to ensure several generations of cadets have been able to benefit from the full cadet experience.

David was already at 1039 when I joined as a fresh-faced 13 year-old cadet and was part of the volunteer team which helped me develop and grow. It was a privilege to work alongside him when I returned to the squadron as an adult volunteer. More than anything, though, he has been a steadfast support since I became OC in 2022.

David has served the squadron, our cadets and the wider RAFAC with distinction over more than two decades. He's not leaving us completely, as he is rejoining the civilian committee, but he will be missed on parade nights.

I would like to thank him for everything he has done as an adult volunteer over the past 24 years and look forward to continuing to work with him as he contributes to the growth and wellbeing of the squadron in a different way on the committee.

Flt Lt Alan Collins Rosell
Officer Commanding

Address

Joint Cadet Centre, Watling Street
Gillingham

Opening Hours

Monday 6:45pm - 9:30pm
Friday 6:45pm - 9:30pm

Telephone

+441634854363

Website

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