Duke of Edinburgh's Award
Bronze, Silver and Gold levels — RAFAC is one of the UK’s largest DofE providers.
About Us
Who we are
One squadron, eighty-five years of service to the young people of Barnsley.
148 (Barnsley) Squadron
Serving Barnsley since 1939.
148 Squadron is one of over 900 Air Cadet squadrons across the United Kingdom, operating under the Royal Air Force Air Cadets (RAFAC). We are based in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, and have been serving the local community for over 85 years.
Our mission is to inspire young people to achieve their potential through a challenging and exciting programme of aviation, fieldcraft, leadership, and adventure training.
The Air Training Corps (ATC) is one of the three cadet forces in the United Kingdom, alongside the Army Cadet Force and Sea Cadet Corps. Membership is open to all young people aged 12–20, regardless of background, for a small monthly subscription of around £15.
Cadets on parade
Our Motto
Spectemur Agendo
Let us be judged by our acts
Parade Nights
Tue & Fri
19:00 – 21:30 each week
Age Range
12–20
Years old to join as a cadet
Our History
Eighty-five years in the making.
From a handful of Royal Flying Corps veterans to one of the strongest squadrons in the Wing — a short history of 148.
1938
Former Royal Flying Corps officers explore forming a cadet unit in Barnsley under the Air League of the British Empire.
1939
Granted as Air Defence Cadet Corps Squadron No. 148 on 16 July, with an old hut on Racecommon Road as its first home.
1941
Absorbed into the newly formed Air Training Corps. First OC Flt Lt E H Umbers goes on to command South Yorkshire Wing.
WWII
Strength grows to over 250 cadets, with detached flights at Royston, Hoyland, Holgate and Wombwell.
1960s
The unit moves to the TA centre while a new headquarters is built — the building still in use today.
Today
One of the top squadrons in the Wing: first to adopt the DofE Award Scheme and first to reach Gold. Many ex-cadets now fly with the RAF and civil airlines.
Our People
Meet the team.
Our cadets are supported by a dedicated team of uniformed officers, senior NCOs and civilian instructors — many of them former cadets themselves.
Officers
- Flight Lieutenant
Andy Williams
Officer Commanding - Flying Officer
Hannah Banks
Training Officer
Senior NCOs
- Flight Sergeant
Matt Smedley
Staff - Sergeant (RAFAC)
Lewis Melia
Senior NCO - Sergeant (RAFAC)
Louis Swaby
Senior NCO - Sergeant (RAFAC)
Megan Annets
Senior NCO
Civilian Instructors
- Civilian Instructor
Mandy Colton
- Civilian Instructor
Brian Rogers
What We Do
A range of activities for every cadet.
Flying & Gliding
Air experience flights in Grob Tutor fixed-wing aircraft and Grob Viking gliders, plus pilot navigation and flying-scholarship training.
Outdoor Pursuits
Rock climbing, abseiling, high-level hill walking, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking and high ropes.
Fieldcraft
Tactical training, survival skills, camouflage and deployed navigation exercises.
Drill & Ceremonial
Parade-ground skills, banner drill and marching for public events and Remembrance.
ILM Leadership Awards
Institute of Leadership & Management awards for senior cadets and staff.
Ready to take off?
Enrolment is open for young people aged 12–20 in and around Barnsley. Parade nights run every Tuesday and Friday, 19:00–21:30.