Air Cadets in Scotland will be part of a restructuring of the Air Training Corps (ATC) as early as next month (February).
Changes in the number of ATC Cadet and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers across the country led to a review of the current format which also includes Northern Ireland.
The new structure will be implemented to result in a more equitable delivery of the Cadet Experience with best use being made of available CFAVs and permanent support staff.
The following ATC Wing structure will come into effect in Scotland from 1 February 2021.
South East Scotland Wing (SESW) will remain but with a modified geographic footprint and it will contain units in Edinburgh, the Lothians, the Borders and parts of Stirling and Falkirk District including; 470 (Falkirk) Squadron (Sqn), 867 (Denny) Sqn, 1271 (Bathgate) Sqn, and 1333 (Grangemouth) Sqn which will transfer from West Scotland Wing (WSW).
The new Wing headquarters is being established and provisioned at the Army Reserve Centre facilities at 301 Colinton Road, Edinburgh.
West Scotland Wing will remain but with a modified geographic footprint and it will contain the units in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Dunbartonshire, Argyll, Renfrew, Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway. The Wing headquarters will remain in the existing offices co-located with 396 (Paisley) Sqn in the Army Reserve Centre compound at Hawkhead Road, Paisley.
Highland Wing (HW) and the majority of North East Scotland Wing (NESW) will integrate to become a new Wing called North Scotland Wing (NSW). This Wing will contain all the existing Highland Wing units except 2521 (Oban) Sqn that will transfer to West Scotland Wing.
All the existing North East Scotland Wing units, except those in the county of Angus, will form part of the new Central Scotland Wing (CSW).
The new North Scotland Wing headquarters will be in the existing integrated Highland Wing headquarters/DACRE Regional Activity Centre/Cadet accommodation at RAF Lossiemouth. This facility already manages and supports the Highland Wing units.
A new Central Scotland Wing will be formed and will contain the units in the county of Angus and currently part of North East Scotland Wing.
The Central Scotland Wing headquarters will be in the existing South East Scotland Wing headquarters offices at Leuchars Station which are co-located with the Air Cadet Region headquarters and a Region Activity Centre.
Group Captain James Leggat, Regional Commandant Scotland and Northern Ireland Region, welcomed the new structure.
He said: “It is an exciting time for the Air Training Corps Cadets and staff in several parts of Scotland.
“With changes in both Cadet and Adult Volunteer numbers, the Wing organisation has been reviewed and with effect from 1 February 2021, a new structure is being implemented.
“This structure will result in a more equitable delivery of the Cadet Experience to our Cadets with best use being made of our available Adult Volunteers and permanent support staff.
“A big thank you to all the staff, volunteer and permanent, who have worked behind the scenes over the last 12 months to make this change feasible – especially during the current Covid-19 situation.”
