Commandant Air Cadets Explained

Post:Commandant Air Cadets
Insigniacaption:Royal Air Force Air Cadets
Incumbent:Air Commodore Anthony Keeling OBE
Reports To:AOC No. 22 Gp RAF
First:John Adrian Chamier

Commandant Air Cadets is the title given to the Royal Air Force officer who is responsible for running the Royal Air Force Air Cadets, embracing the Air Training Corps (ATC) and the RAF Sections of the Combined Cadet Force (CCF RAF). The current Commandant Air Cadets is Air Commodore Tony Keeling, who assumed the post in September 2020. He will leave the post in September 2024.[1] On 15 August 2024, it was announced that Group Captain Al Lewis would replace Air Cdre Keeling as Commandant Air Cadets, effective 23 September 2024. Gp Capt Lewis is the incumbent Regional Commandant of London and South East Region (LaSER).[2]

Previously known as Commandant ATC, the appointment is now held by an RAF Air Commodore and is based at Headquarters Air Cadets (HQAC) at RAF Cranwell. Prior to the establishment of HQAC as an independent unit, the post of Commandant ATC was held by the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Reserve, Home and finally Flying Training Command. HQAC was formed 1 May 1960 within Flying Training Command.

The Commandant is responsible for over 1000 units of the ATC, 199 CCF (RAF) Sections and the nationwide network of Volunteer Gliding Squadrons (VGS).

Until 24 March 2003, the Commandant Air Cadets also held the role of Air Officer Commanding Air Cadets, the appointment then passing to the Air Officer Commanding Training Group (TG). The post has now been merged into the post of AOC TG and no longer exists as a separate entity.

Notes and References

  1. 1267893385018454017. ComdtAC. Well it’s official! Air Cdre Tony Keeling will be the next Comdt of the RAF Air Cadets. Congratulations on gettin… . 2 June 2020.
  2. Web site: 15 August 2024 . New Commandant Royal Air Force Air Cadets announced . 16 August 2024 . Royal Air Force Air Cadets.