A RUNCORN air cadet group have been named one of the best in the country.

The 306 (Runcorn) Sqn won The Marshall Trophy for 2024, given to the most improved squadron in the corps over three years.

Post Covid the Squadron was struggling to recover with staffing and cadet levels dropping to a level where the Squadron was going to be forced to close.

But in stepped former 306 Squadron cadet and now Squadron Commander Flight Lieutenant Steve Shallcross RAFAC, who set to work rebuilding the staff team to be able to offer the cadets a wider range of activities and experiences.

The staff then started the first of many recruitment campaigns, going into high schools in the Runcorn and Helsby areas, and after a few months the numbers started to build.

The cadets began to see the rewards for their work collecting several medals at the sports competitions and then winning the Drill competition at Wing Training Day, going on to compete against the best Squadrons from the North Region RAFAC.

In 2023 the Squadron had three cadets selected for the prestigious International Air Cadet Exchange, allowing them to travel to France, Canada and for one cadet the chance to host incoming cadets from other nations.

Cadet Warrant Officer Baldwin also fought off challengers from all three cadet forces across Cheshire to become the Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadet for Cheshire.

The cadets racked up even more medals and trophies from the events around the wing.

 On Tuesday, the Squadron hosted several dignitaries for the awarding of the trophy, Air Commodore Tony Keeling OBE - Commandant Air Cadets, Mr Christopher Walkinshaw - Representing the Marshall Family, Lady Alexis Redmond MBE - Lord-Lieutenant of Cheshire, Sir Philip Redmond CBE, Cllr Kevan Wainwright - Mayor of Halton, and Mrs. Andrea Wainwright - Mayoress of Halton.

Before the presentation, the guests were treated to a display of what the Squadron offers to cadets, starting off with a First Aid lesson with Pilot Officer Steve Kelly RAFAC the Deputy Wing First Aid Officer, then down to a Media display with CI Chris Mould showing from the photographs and newspaper clippings of yesteryear to 360 camera footage.

(Image: Visitors shown the air simulator)

The dignitaries were treated to a drill display with the team currently preparing for Field Training Day, they then moved on to the first of the STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Maths) displays, the Squadron’s very own microlight, and the final display an electronics class with CI Kirsty Hales-Jones.

To finish the evening off the Squadron performed a march paying compliments to the visitors just before the culmination where Mr. Christopher Walkinshaw presented Cadet Warrant Officer Shannon Baldwin and Warrant Officer Kerian Feeney with the Marshall Trophy.

After the Trophy presentation, Lady Redmond MBE Promoted two of the NCOs (Non-Commissioned Officers), Corporal Lee was promoted to Sergeant, and Sergeant Daly was promoted to Flight Sergeant, this was after a grueling interview process in the weeks leading up to the event.

Flight Lieutenant Steve Shallcross RAFAC, Officer Commanding 306 Squadron: “In my tenure as Officer Commanding 306 Squadron, I have seen the Squadron go from strength to strength, grow and excel through the planning and the hard work of a dedicated staff team with a want and desire to succeed from both staff and cadets alike and for me to have the privilege to lead such a dedicated hard working team make me feel both honoured and proud of everything they have achieved as a collective and I could not ask for a better staff and NCO team as their sole goal is to deliver the best cadet experience possible to our young people!”.

Cadet Flight Sergeant Orlagh Daly said: "Being promoted by Lady Redmond was a very special experience that I will never forget. It was an honour to meet her an experience that not many cadets will get to have. I’d like to thank her for coming down and presenting me the award, and giving me this opportunity."