The Minister for Veterans and People, Calvin Bailey MBE MP, a former Air Cadet, visited Beckingham Training Camp and RAF Waddington, the Ministry of Defence said in a press release published on 25 August 2026. Cadets demonstrated drone flying, fieldcraft, marksmanship, first aid and immersive technology. At Beckingham he joined cadets on the range and took part in fieldcraft, first aid and navigation exercises; at RAF Waddington he flew a drone circuit and tried a flight simulation before speaking with cadets and adult volunteers.

The release said around 13,000 Army Cadets are supported by adult volunteers across the East Midlands, including 714 cadets and 167 volunteers in Lincolnshire Army Cadet Force. It said around 28,000 adult volunteers support cadet forces across the UK, which include more than 137,000 young people. The government has committed £70 million to grow the cadet forces, with an ambition to increase cadet numbers by 30% by 2035. The release cited University of Northampton research linking cadet participation to improved wellbeing, educational outcomes and social mobility, estimating £120 million in wellbeing value each year.

The visits were reported ahead of the UK's first National Cadets Week, planned for 5 to 11 October 2026.