OC 126 (City of Derby) Sqn

Squadron Leader Rob Moore is the Commanding Officer at 126 (City of Derby) Squadron, Air Training Corps (ATC), which forms part of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets (RAFAC) organisation.

Rob is 48 years old and has been involved in the organisation for 35 years. Rob spent 8 years as a Cadet here at 126 Sqn, attaining the rank of Cadet Warrant Officer, before transferring to 1211 (Swadlincote) Squadron as a Commissioned Officer. Rob spent 24 years at 1211 Squadron fulfilling the key roles of Training Officer, Adjutant, Operations Officer, Health & Safety Officer and Executive Officer, before transferring back to 126 Squadron in December 2021, to take up the Commanding Officer post.

Rob is a Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award holder, a Basic Expedition Leader, a Navigation/Expedition instructor, supervisor and assessor, a First Aid Instructor, an Archery Instructor and a Risk Assessor. He has represented the United Kingdom on the International Air Cadet Exchange to New Zealand and has received commendations from the Royal Air Force and the Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire. In 2017, Rob was a key member of the 1211 Sqn team that won the annual RAFAC competition to find the best large Air Cadet Squadron in the UK.

Rob achieved a First Class (Honours) degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Loughborough University and is currently employed by Rolls-Royce (Civil Aerospace) in Derby, where he has worked for 26 years. Rob is married and has two grown up children.

Dep OC 126 (City of Derby) Sqn

Fg Off Evans first joined the RAF Air Cadets as CCF (RAF) cadet at school back in 2006. He reached the rank of Cadet Sgt before leaving to go to University to study Aeronautical Engineering in 2009. Having had a few years off studying and starting in the world of work, he joined again as a Civilian Instructor at 2152 (North Bristol) Squadron from 2015 to 2016 before moving to 126 (City of Derby) squadron. He became a commissioned officer in 2018 and having been both the Adjutant and Training Officer, is now the Deputy OC, assisting in the management of the squadron.

He is also an Adventure Training Instructor, DofE Leader & Assessor and a First Aid Instructor at the squadron. At wing level, Fg Off Evans is also the course director for the Wing Senior NCO Development course.

Outside the organisation, Fg Off Evans is an Engineer and has worked for Rolls-Royce (Civil Aerospace) for 9 years before recently moving to work for British Airways as a Powerplant Engineer. He is also a volunteer for Derby Mountain Rescue Team.

Sqn Adjutant

Sqn Training Officer

Sqn Chaplain

Mrs Sandland joined 126 in 1989 as a cadet, achieving the rank of Cadet Sgt and subsequently went into uniform when she reached the age of 20. She then went on to reach the rank of Flying Officer. Over her tenure at the unit she has held many roles including Drum Major, Sports Officer and Adjutant.

After some time away to start a family, Mrs Sandland returned to 126 in 2012 as Sqn Chaplain. She is the point of contact for welfare, pastoral matters and the Cadet Vocational Qualification.

Sqn Standards

CFAV SNCO

Paul Brown Flight Sergeant RAFAC joined the organisation in 2000 working his way through the ranks to CWO. He has gained valuable knowledge & experience whist supporting many squadrons including 2442, 138 & 2195. He moved to 126 in 2021 to fulfil the role of sector shooting officer.

FS Brown specialises in marksmanship and target sports, he holds the relevant qualifications to enable the safe training and use of rifles and shotguns. This is useful for developing maturity, discipline and self confidence.

CFAV SNCO

Sgt Lamplough joined the British army in 2004 as a vehicle mechanic. His 12 years of service took him on multiple operational tours of Afghanistan, whilst also serving in various countries such as Canada, Cyprus & Kenya to name a few.

He joined 126 Sqn in 2021 so that he could impart some of his knowledge and skills onto the next generation. Some of his current roles on the unit are: Fieldcraft, leadership, health and safety, standards and discipline.

He is currently employed as an engineering manager at Hellofresh in derby.

CFAV SNCO

Sgt Millard joined the RAF Air cadets in 2019 in Greater Manchester where he was able to fly solo on a scholarship provided by the organisation.

He more recently moved to Derby and joined 126 Sqn in 2022. He has recently turned 20 and aged out as a Cadet. He has since rejoined the unit as a CFAV SNCO.

As the leadership officer on the unit, he is engaged at all levels of leadership and management, helping cadets achieve qualifications and develop an essential life skill.

Media & Communications Officer

AS1(T) McCarthy first joined 126 in 2015 as a Cadet, following a successful Cadet career he left the squadron to join the RAF in 2020.

He then rejoined the Squadron as a Service Instructor in 2021 and has continued to support the unit ever since. Whilst being a regular in the RAF he supports the unit on weekly parade night activities as well as fulfilling the role of Media and Communications Officer.

Civilian Instructor

CI Hadfield joined us in 2018 after 25 years volunteering for the Scouts. She originally came to 126 as a member of our Civilian Committee. Over her time with us she started to become more involved with the day to day activities of the Squadron culminating in her becoming a Civilian Instructor in 2022.

Since becoming a CI in 2022 she has played an active role on the unit assisting in DofE, Road Marching and our Stores Officer to name just a few.

Civilian Instructor

Civilian Instructor

Civilian Instructor

Civilian Instructor

Every Air Cadet squadron has a Civilian Support Team (known officially as a Civilian Committee) which is a team of volunteers that supports the Squadron and its Cadets by providing much of the equipment, resources and opportunities that are available at the Squadron.

Many of you may not be aware that the RAF Air Cadets is a charity, and whilst some things such as blue uniform, flying and shooting are funded by the RAF, almost all other activities such as sports, flight simulation, space, first aid, radio, archery, drone flying and transport solutions for key events are all directly funded or subsidised by our Civilian Support Team. The same can be said for everything that needs funding to enable our training establishment to operate safely and efficiently, from computers to printer ink, broadband to refuse collection, and toilet rolls to telescopes.

The Civilian Support Team act as Trustees of the charity, and have the responsibility to look after how the Squadron funds are spent, to support the welfare of the Staff and Cadets and to help promote the squadron within the community. Like the Squadron Staff, Support Team members are all volunteers and consist primarily of parents or relatives of current serving or former cadets, however other persons of standing within the community may join, providing that they meet certain eligibility criteria.

Our members give up a few hours a month where we meet together with the Commanding Officer to discuss and agree how we can support the needs and objectives of the Squadron. We also run the Cadet tuck shop each parade night, help with cleaning and the upkeep of the facility and get involved in many of the cadet events, visits and other activity.

If you've ever wondered how you might help the Cadets, but don't have the time to commit to becoming a member of Staff, then why not join our Civilian Support Team. We’re a friendly, supportive and welcoming group and we would love to hear from you. If you would like to register your interest or would like some further information, please contact our Chair Graham Southall. Chair-126@outlook.com