On September 14, 2024, 2286 Squadron hosted its Annual Awards Evening at Westfield House, Coventry, bringing together a vibrant community of cadets, staff, families, and distinguished guests. This event was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the dedication and accomplishments of our Squadron members over the past year. We were honoured to welcome Wing Commander (Retd.) Stephen Mills, the Wing Chairman for Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing; Sqn Ldr Sam Collins; Sqn Ldr Bryan Coats; and WO David Pritchett, Wing Warrant Officer for Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing, who graced us with their presence and support.

The evening commenced with a welcome from Fg Off Subhaan Sheikh, followed by a retrospective look at the year from the Squadron's Senior NCOs and a highlights video prepared by FS Seymour. The awards ceremony showcased various categories, recognizing cadets for their outstanding achievements and commendable efforts across numerous fields.

Awards and Winners

For Award Winner & evening photographs, please see the gallery below.

John Doran Award

Winner: Cpl Dawson Myles

The John Doran Award is awarded for outstanding achievement or commendable effort in academic training.

Public Speaking Award

Winner: Cdt Pearl Dogo

The Public Speaking Award is presented to the winner of the Squadron Public Speaking Competition.

Hooper Award

Winner: Cdt Ameera Bawazir

The Hooper Award recognizes outstanding achievement or commendable effort in musical performance.

Jubilee Award

Winner: Joint winners - Cpl George Foster & Cdt Patryk Turkowski

The Jubilee Award acknowledges outstanding achievement or commendable effort in community service.

RAF 100 Award

Winner: Joint winners - Cpl Cerys Ryan & Cdt Kisara Peramunugamage

The RAF 100 Award is given for outstanding achievement or commendable effort in the fields of ASTRA & STEM.

Training Officer’s Cup

Winner: CWO Thomas O'Connell

The Training Officer’s Cup is awarded for outstanding achievement or commendable effort in leadership.

Venture Adventure Award

Winner: Cpl Kynan French

The Venture Adventure Award celebrates outstanding achievement or commendable effort in adventurous training and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.

Male Sports Award

Winner: Cdt Kian Fowler

The Male Sports Award recognizes outstanding achievement or commendable effort in male sports.

Female Sports Award

Winner: Cdt Katie Corcoran

The Female Sports Award is given for outstanding achievement or commendable effort in female sports.

Smith Plate

Winner: Sgt Amelia Van Ristell Hall

The Smith Plate is awarded for outstanding achievement or commendable effort in the field of aviation.

Duke of Marlborough Award

Winner: CWO Thomas O'Connell

The Duke of Marlborough Award acknowledges outstanding achievement or commendable effort in the field of first aid.

Turing Award

Winner: Cdt Zachary Van Ristell Hall

The Turing Award is given for outstanding achievement or commendable effort in the field of radio communications.

Air Cadet 75 Award

Winner: The Squadron Leadership Team

The Air Cadet 75 Award recognizes outstanding team performance in 2024.

Elephant Award

Winner: Cpl Dawson Myles

The Elephant Award is presented for outstanding achievement or commendable effort in military disciplines including shooting & fieldcraft.

Best Shot Award

Winner: CWO Matthew Smith

The Best Shot Award recognizes outstanding achievement or commendable effort in marksmanship.

RAF Regiment Award

Winner: Cdt Matthew Baker

The RAF Regiment Award is presented for outstanding achievement or commendable effort in uniform and deportment.

Drill Award

Winner: Cdt Kimberlie Bhogal

The Drill Award acknowledges outstanding achievement or commendable effort in ceremonial drill.

Cadet’s Cadet

Winner: Three-way joint award for the first time ever - FS Thomas O'Connell, Sgt Amelia Van Ristell Hall & Cpl Kynan French

The Cadet’s Cadet award is given to the best cadet as voted for by the cadets of 2286 Squadron.

Most Improved Award

Winner: Cpl Cameron Brooks

The Most Improved Award celebrates the cadet or NCO who has made the most improvement since the previous awards.

Best New Recruit

Winner: Cdt Kimberlie Bhogal

The Best New Recruit award is presented to the most promising new recruit to join 2286 Squadron since the previous awards.

Cadet of the Year

Winner: Cdt Matthew Baker

The Cadet of the Year award recognizes the outstanding overall performance of a cadet throughout the year.

NCO of the Year

Winner: CWO Matthew Smith

The NCO of the Year award is given for outstanding overall performance by an NCO.

Arden Eagle

Winner: Sgt Jason Dhayaparan

The Arden Eagle award recognizes an outstanding single achievement since the previous awards.

Bader Award

Winner: Silver Duke of Edinburgh Expedition Team - Cpls George Foster, Kynan French, Cerys Ryan, Isaac Hands & Cameron Brooks & Cdt Kisara Peramunugamage

The Bader Award is presented for outstanding achievement under difficult circumstances.

Arden Rosebowl

Winner: CWO Matthew Smith

The Arden Rosebowl acknowledges outstanding overall contribution to 2286 Squadron.

Collins Trophy

Winner: CWO Thomas O'Connell

The Collins Trophy is a new award for 2024, celebrating an outstanding Squadron representative throughout the wider Wing and Corps.

Endeavour Cup

Winner: Cdt Breesha Corkish

The Endeavour Cup is awarded to the cadet who most embodies the spirit and values of the RAF Air Cadets.

The evening also featured the presentation of the RAF Air Cadets Long Service Award to Mrs. Sonja Mahers and Mr. Geoffrey Seymour, both for 12 years of dedicated service, and the Cadet Forces Medal to Officer Commanding Flt Lt Julie Seymour RAFAC. A special thanks to Mrs. Nicola O'Connell for her inspiring speech and to the Squadron Chairperson and Civilian Committee for their unwavering support throughout the year.

Flt Lt Julie Seymour, Commanding Officer of 2286 Squadron, expressed her gratitude: “Thank you to all our special guests, families, and friends for your ongoing support. To our cadets, your enthusiasm and dedication make all our efforts worthwhile. A special thank you to the staff for their exceptional organization of this event.”

For those interested in joining our Squadron, please reach out via email or book onto our January Open Evening through 2286aircadets.co.uk/event-list. We look forward to welcoming new faces to our community!