1019 (City of Stirling) Squadron

29/05/2026

20/05/2026

Last weekend, our Cadets took part in full bore shooting training at Barry Buddon Ranges.

Throughout the day, Cadets trained on the rifle and worked through the progressive training syllabus, developing their skills towards competition shooting and qualification badges.

There were some fantastic scores achieved, with several Cadets hopefully now on their way to future national competitions.

All training was delivered by our dedicated staff, whose support and instruction continue to help our Cadets achieve great scores. Well done to everyone involved!

14/05/2026

Congratulations to our very own CI Hutton on completing the DCCT Operators course with No. 4 SATT 👏👏👏

CI Hutton brings the opportunity to support the Dismounted Close Combat Training (DCCT) ability for the cadets at 1019.

28/04/2026

Great to see the 1019 (City of Stirling) cadets out there learning new skills. Well done to everyone 👏👏👏

16/04/2026

We’ve just returned from Phoenix Camp, and what an outstanding experience it’s been.

Over the course of the camp, our cadets demonstrated resilience, determination, and strong teamwork in everything they took on. From demanding activities to working together in challenging conditions, they consistently pushed themselves and supported one another.

Phoenix Camp is designed to build confidence, leadership, and perseverance—and our cadets rose to that challenge. It’s been great to see individuals step outside their comfort zones, develop new skills, and grow in both confidence and capability.

A big thank you to all staff and volunteers who made the camp possible, and well done to every cadet who took part. You’ve represented yourselves and your unit exceptionally well.

We’re proud of everything that’s been achieved and look forward to seeing these skills carried forward in future training.

Scotland & Northern Ireland Region Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Central Scotland Wing RAF Air Cadets

15/04/2026

This evening, cadets from 1019 (City of Stirling) Squadron, 383 (Alloa) Squadron, and 2284 (Dunblane) Squadron attended a memorial service at Falleninch Farm in honour of 43F Squadron.

43F Squadron, known as the “Fighting Cocks,” was a distinguished Royal Air Force fighter squadron with a proud history dating back to the First World War. They served with distinction across multiple conflicts, earning a reputation for bravery, professionalism, and strong esprit de corps.

The service provided a meaningful opportunity for cadets to reflect on the squadron’s legacy and to pay their respects to those who served and sacrificed. Their memory lives on through occasions like this, ensuring their contribution is never forgotten.

22/03/2026

When gliding was an open cockpit! A few of the (older) staff would have had a flight in a Sedbergh. A great experience. Mine was at West Malling VGS back in the 70s. Who else has flown in one?

15/02/2026

The sun shone for the first time in ages. No clouds in the sky. Yes it was very cold, but what a perfect day to go gliding. Cadets Cameron Bray, Lewis Galloway and Sophie Galloway all had their first launches in a glider and enjoyed every moment.

The smiles said it all. What an experience. A great day was had by all.

13/02/2026

Worried about doing something? Carpe Diem

In Top Gun: Maverick there’s a scene I love.

Maverick is told the mission can’t be done. The timing is too tight. The risk is unacceptable. The margins are too small.

There’s plenty of experience in the room. Plenty of reasons to dial it down.

So he doesn’t argue.

He gets in the cockpit and flies the profile himself.

He shows them.

When I left the RAF, I had my own version of that moment. Although it involved less G force and a lot more sun cream.

I bought a very large caravan and decided to take my two boys, aged four and five, to France for six weeks. On my own. My husband would fly out intermittently, but day to day, it was down to me.

In my head, it was manageable.

Then I started telling people.

“Oh I couldn’t do that.”
“What if the caravan breaks down?”
“What if one of the boys gets sick?”
“What if something goes wrong?”

They weren’t saying I couldn’t do it. They were saying they wouldn’t.

But slowly, their doubt became mine.

I started lying awake at night running through worst case scenarios. Stranded on a French motorway. Two small boys. No backup.

It felt very much like that Top Gun briefing room. Lots of sensible voices. Not much belief.

Then I caught myself.

In the Air Force, when a task looked stretching, we didn’t amplify the fear. We assessed the risk, put mitigations in place and got on with it.

So that’s what I did.

We went.

It wasn’t perfect. We got lost. There were wobbles. There were moments I questioned my sanity.

But there were also long breakfasts outside the caravan, bike rides, laughter and a deep sense of freedom.

Most importantly, my boys saw their mum take on something that felt big. They saw that fear doesn’t mean stop.

That is leadership.

Not Hollywood heroics.

The everyday decision to go first.

As leaders, we are always modelling what is possible. If we echo every doubt in the room, people shrink. If we assess, decide and move, belief grows.

Sometimes you just have to fly the valley.

Or board the ferry, drive the caravan onto French soil and discover that you were more capable than the briefing room suggested.

21/12/2025

The end of an era.

In 1982, the Final Vulcan Squadron was disbanded, marking the end of an era. Below are images captured during their final journey as a squadron.

These rare photographs were shot by RAF Photographer Sergeant Brian Lawrence. Witness four Avro Vulcan B2 Bombers from No. 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron soaring over the English Countryside for the last time before their disbandment.

On December 21, 1982, No. 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron officially disbanded, signifying the closure of not only the last Vulcan bomber squadron but also the final strategic bomber squadron within the RAF.