22/09/2026
what a day! ✈️🏔️🏆
It was a huge privilege to be invited to the Air Cadets Honours & Awards Ceremony at RAF Cranwell last week— and an even greater honour to receive the Shackleton Trophy for Exercise Mountain Storm 2025 on behalf of the full team!
Three members of the team travelled to RAF Cranwell to accept the trophy, celebrating an incredible achievement that has been three years in the making.
🏆 Exercise Mountain Storm 2025 — Shackleton Award Winner! 🏆
After years of dedication, teamwork and determination, Exercise Mountain Storm 2025 has been awarded the Shackleton Award for the most successful, imaginative and adventurous expedition of the past year in the RAF Air Cadets, supported and selected by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG).
Thirty cadets and staff from 22 Squadrons, 6 Wings and 2 Regions took on the challenge of a six-day, fully self-sustained expedition through the breathtaking Rocky Mountains of Canada.
From navigating the incredible landscapes of Banff and Jasper National Parks to tackling white-water rafting, zip-lining and countless other challenges, every member of the team was pushed outside their comfort zone and developed their leadership, resilience and determination along the way. 🇨🇦🏔️
This award belongs not just to the cadets and staff who took part, but to everyone who supported the expedition behind the scenes and helped make Mountain Storm 2025 possible. 🌄💪
Remarkably, this is the third Shackleton Award in four expeditions, representing more than 12 years of hard work, dedication and incredible teamwork from countless cadets and staff.
A huge thank you to everyone who made this possible.
Never let anyone stop you from chasing your dreams. Step outside your comfort zone, embrace the challenge and go for it. 🚀🏔️
Air Cadet Charity Wales & West Air Cadets The Ulysses Trust Commandant Air Cadets 878 Banff/Canmore Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron - Public South West Region Royal Air Force Air Cadets Royal Air Force Air Cadets SW Region RAF Air Cadets Adventure Training Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) Royal Air Force Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Ministry of Defence Bow Valley WildSmart Bristol and Gloucestershire Wing Official Group
