The Squadron meets on Tuesday and Thursday between 1915hrs and 2145hrs. Cadet membership is open to all EU nationals both male and female between 13 and 17 years of age. The upper age limit is generally eighteen, though cadets can extend their time with us to their 20th birthday.

Wantage Air Cadets are part of a national organisation called the Air Training Corps – or ATC. The ATC is sponsored and supported by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and has been around since 1941. 1861 (Wantage) Squadron was formed in late December 1941, and is part of Thames Valley Wing, which covers the counties of Oxfordshire and Berkshire with the Wings headquarters located in Abingdon. Thames Valley Wing is in turn, part of the South West Region.

Wantage Squadron headquarters is located in the heart of Wantage, a convenient walk from the Town Centre. You can read about our proud history on this website too. There are around 1,000 Squadrons and Flights across the UK staffed by volunteers providing opportunities for training, development and enjoyment for nearly 35,000 young people.

Air Cadets are not just found in the UK though; there are similar organisations in countries around the world as diverse as USA, Canada, Austria, Belgium, Australia, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, India, Israel, Japan, Switzerland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, The Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, Turkey and Hong Kong. Members of our squadron in recent years have traveled on exchange visits to the USA, Singapore and the Netherlands.

Here in Wantage there are usually around over 30 cadets but this can vary from time to time as new people join and older cadets leave. If you’re a fan of aviation, action and adventure, love sports, amateur radio and getting to know people then you’re in the right place. If your interest is in Flying, Sports, Adventure Training, Camping, Shooting, Drill, Abseiling, Overseas Travel… you will find out about these and much more by looking around this site - they are all activities provided by Wantage Air Cadets