One of the Best in the Country: 2286 Squadron Reaches Regional Lees Trophy Final Two

Following Wing victory, 2286 (Coventry Arden) Squadron edges closer to the Lees Trophy—one of the highest honours in the RAF Air Cadets.

We’ve been keeping something exciting under wraps...

Earlier this year, 2286 (Coventry Arden) Squadron was quietly crowned the best Squadron in Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing—an achievement that placed us in the running for the prestigious Lees Trophy, awarded each year to the top RAF Air Cadets Squadron in the country. After a highly competitive regional round, we’re thrilled to reveal that we’ve now made it through to the final two in Wales & West Region RAFAC.

It’s an extraordinary achievement, reflecting the hard work, pride, and spirit that runs through every part of 2286 Squadron. To mark this next step in our journey, we were honoured to host Group Captain Roger Simon RAFAC, Regional Commandant, for a Squadron visit as part of the final stage of the competition. His tour was a chance to showcase the very best of what our cadets and volunteers have built together—and to celebrate just how far we’ve come.

A Squadron with Purpose at Its Core

As with all Lees Trophy evaluations, the visit took place on a normal parade night—giving Group Captain Roger Simon RAFAC a genuine sense of what 2286 is all about on an ordinary evening. From the first welcome to the final salute, the Squadron's energy, pride, and professionalism were on full display.

The evening opened with a short presentation from senior staff, offering an overview of the Squadron’s history, catchment area, and the values that shape everything we do. While Coventry is a city of contrasts, 2286 Squadron draws its cadets from some of the most challenged parts of the community—areas that sit in the top 5% nationally for deprivation, with higher-than-average levels of food bank use, youth crime, and social disadvantage.

But within that, we’re proud to reflect the city’s incredible cultural diversity, and to offer something meaningful: a space built on encouragement, opportunity, and the belief that every young person can grow. Our mission? To be a place of growth and support for young people, showcasing the best of the RAFAC ethos and values.

Group Captain Simon had the opportunity to meet our full staff team—both uniformed and Civilian Instructors—as well as our Squadron Chairman, for an in-depth conversation about the Squadron’s journey, the challenges of our context, and the power of what we deliver together, week in and week out.

An Evening of Energy, Excellence and Engagement

Following the opening presentation, Group Captain Simon was given a full tour of the Squadron, offering a front-row view of the breadth and energy of our cadet training in action. From the moment he stepped onto the floor, it was clear this wasn’t a display—it was a typical evening at 2286: fast-paced, cadet-led, and packed with opportunity.

The Regional Commandant took time to chat with cadets and NCOs alike, learning more about their training journeys, interests, and ambitions. He even joined in with our newest recruits for a few moves of basic drill instruction—earning a round of applause for his sharp footwork and clear enthusiasm.

Across the Squadron, cadets were engaged in a wide variety of activities that showcased the range and depth of the RAFAC programme. Highlights included:

• Cadets completing their Blue Radio assessments, developing practical communication skills and radio fluency.

• A group finalising their work toward the RAFAC Silver Space Award—more to come on this in a future article!

• Teams tackling a STEM engineering challenge, using newspaper and tape to construct load-bearing towers through teamwork, planning and problem-solving.

• A group of intrepid cadets performing final kit checks and preparations for their Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expedition, which set off the very next morning (watch this space for more on that too).

• Our senior cadets undertaking a practical aircraft navigation competition, applying what they’ve learned through their Air Navigation and Pilot Navigation classification training using our state-of-the-art flight simulator and navigation software.

  
  

It was a proud moment for the Squadron—seeing our cadets learning, leading and laughing in equal measure, and being able to share that experience with the Region’s senior officer.

Questions, Recognition, and a Moment to Remember

After the tour, Group Captain Simon sat down with the cadets for a lively Q&A session. True to form, our cadets didn’t hold back—eager to hear about his journey through the RAFAC, his experiences in the Royal Air Force, his thoughts on leadership, and the future of the organisation they’re proud to be part of. His answers were thoughtful, encouraging, and full of insight—leaving many cadets inspired and even more curious.

As the evening drew to a close, there was one final highlight in store. During final parade, the Regional Commandant presented a number of well-earned badges to cadets—marking some key milestones in their individual journeys. Members of our newest intake proudly received their SJA Essential First Aid and Blue Radio badges, while our Silver Space group were awarded what we believe are the first Silver Space badges issued in the region—a fantastic moment for them, and one that reflects the pioneering spirit of our Squadron.

Before departing, Group Captain Simon took the time to thank the Squadron for hosting him, praising the energy, professionalism, and heart shown by cadets and staff alike throughout the visit. It was a proud evening for 2286—and one we won’t forget in a hurry.

In His Words

Reflecting on the evening, Group Captain Roger Simon RAFAC shared his praise for the Squadron:

“It was a real pleasure to return to 2286 and see the Squadron in action. The sense of closeness, support, and inclusion was clear throughout the evening, and it was fantastic to see how those values are paired with such strong successes—particularly in areas like DofE, Space, and Radio. The cadets and staff were confident, engaging, and a credit to the Squadron. It’s clear that 2286 benefits from a strong team and a committed Civilian Committee, and you should be very proud of everything you’ve achieved.”

He closed by thanking everyone involved and emphasising that the decision ahead would be far from easy—adding that 2286 had made a compelling case for the top spot.

Looking Ahead

Whatever the outcome of the final Lees Trophy decision, being selected as one of the top two Squadrons in Wales & West Region is a tremendous honour—and a reflection of the passion, effort and pride that our cadets, staff, and supporters bring to 2286 every single week.

We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together, and we’re grateful to Group Captain Roger Simon RAFAC for taking the time to see it for himself.

If you’re interested in joining 2286 (Coventry Arden) Squadron—whether as a cadet, volunteer, or supporter—we’d love to hear from you. Get in touch with us via our website or social media channels to learn more.