Flying the Flag for Warwickshire & Birmingham
in the Lees Trophy

121 ( Nuneaton ) Squadron Air Training Corps has been selected to represent the Warwickshire and Birmingham Wing in the 'Lees Trophy' competition, which is held annually to find the best squadron in the country.

Their selection for the second year in succession, to take part in the next stage of this prestigious competition, was announced by the Officer Commanding the Warwickshire and Birmingham Wing, Wing Commander Pravin Ladwa RAFVR (T) when he presented the Squadron with a 'Lees Trophy' Certificate in recognition of their efforts in the previous years competition.

Wing Commander Ladwa said, “I have no hesitation in selecting 121 Squadron to represent the Warwickshire & Birmingham Wing. During the past year the cadets have all worked extremely hard, achieving many notable successes in competitive events and examinations. I am pleased to say that the Squadron continues to provide its young people with an exciting array of activities, from flying and gliding to adventure training, sports BTEC qualifications and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme. They have also established some very strong links with the local community and ex-service organisations and their band has established a fine reputation throughout the area. But none of this would be possible without the dedication of the adult volunteers who spend so much of their time, constantly helping our cadets to fulfil their potential.”

“Finally, It's a great pleasure to have a unit like 121 Squadron within the Warwickshire and Birmingham Wing. Well done and good luck in the next stage of the Lees Trophy competition.”

The unit commander Flight Lieutenant Ian Crewe RAFVR(T) said "It's a great honour for Nuneaton to be selected to represent the wing for a second year and a marvellous boost for the cadets and staff who have put in so much time and effort in making the squadron one of the best. We have got a lot of work to do before we face the formal inspections for the next stage of the Lees Trophy competition. Having said that when we look back at what we have achieved during the past year, we should be well placed to pursue our bid to become the best squadron in the Corps".

The Lees Trophy is a nation-wide competition, the first stage of which is held at local wing level. 121 ( Nuneaton ) Squadron which has its base on the Ribbonfields in Attleborough, Nuneaton has been selected from 26 other Squadrons within the Warwickshire and Birmingham area to represent their Wing, thus joining small group of only 36 other squadrons nation-wide to reach this stage of the competition. Having won through, 121 now go on to compete at a regional level, in this case Central and East Region which covers the area from South Yorkshire to Herefordshire and from Stratford to the north sea.

The next stage of the competition will take place in April 2010 when the squadron is inspected by their Regional Commandant, Group Captain Brett Morrell and his staff. All aspects of squadron activities, training and administration will be taken into account during the inspection. If they are successful they will then go on to compete against the winning squadrons from the 5 regions in the final stage of the competition to find the best Air Cadet squadron in the country.