The Squadron is currently under the command of Flt Lt Chris Tocher RAF VR(T), and the 30 strong cadet unit now trains on a Monday and Wednesday evening.
We are currently part of the Thames Valley Wing, in the South West Region.
There has been an Air cadet presence Burghfield for almost 40 years. This is a short history of the valiant little unit and the cadets and staff who have served the Corps in this time.
From 1961-63 the unit was a detached flight. At this time the HQ is thought to have been at the Royal Ordinance factory (ROF) near Burghfield Village.
In 1963 No. 2402 (Burghfield & District) Squadron was formed under the command of Flt Lt B Vernon, the day before near by 2403 (Aldermaston) Squadron was formed in Tadley. During this period, it seems the majority of the Squadron staff worked at the near by Royal Ordinance Factory (ROF) and indeed, most of the cadets had parents who worked there also. The HQ was in a complex of huts located besides a bus terminus for the ROF workers from Reading and local villages nearby to a large hostel for ROF workers. The cadets used to travel to events by bus from the terminus.
Other Officers of this period included Fg Off J Smeath, Fg Off E Watson and Fg Off J M Drury. It is of note that Fg Off Jim Scott had also served at 2403 (Aldermaston) Sqn from 1963-1969 before moving to 2402 Sqn.
The Squadron boasted a Squadron Band (the Band sash is still in possession of the Squadron), and 'Honours Board' (listing Cadet achievements between 1964-1972), and a propeller donated by Mortimer (Spratleys) Garage renovated by the ROF workshops. The propeller still has pride of place in the current HQ. Other items of note include a large scale model aircraft collection consisting of wooden Whitley and Wellington Bombers, metal Hunter, and Victor aircaft, plus a large airfield training model (possibly RAF Wyton).
Due to a lack of numbers, the Squadron downgraded to a detached flight on 1st September 1972 as a D/F of 2403 (Aldermaston) Squadron. After some three years it became a D/F of 381 (Reading) Squadron for 6 years before disbanding, and the remaining 6 cadets transferred to the parent Reading Squadron in 1978.
Prior to disbandment the HQ changed around 1977 as the building was knocked down to make room for the new Civil Service Sports Association.
In 1983 it was decided to re-launch the Burghfield Detached Flight, this time as a D/F of 2403 (Aldermaston) Squadron, and was named 2403 (Burghfield) Detached Flight. The new Commanding Officer was FLt Lt Reg Day, who has served the Corps and Squadron for many years, currently a committee member with 1116 (Woodley) Sqn.
1984 saw a new Commanding Officer, and a new HQ at the joint-use Burghfield Scout Hut; and once again under the parent Squadron of 381 (Reading). The new CO was Flt Lt David Butler, who had recently stood down as CO of 381 (Reading) Sqn.
In the early 1990's under the command of Fg Off Richard Alpe , the D/F once again came under the care of 2403 (Aldermaston) Sqn.
In recent years the D/F commanded by Fg Off Danny Norcross has seen a gradual revival, now matching and exceed many Squadrons with is numbers and turn out at Wing events.
After much hard work by staff and Cadets, on the 5th February 2008, (the Corps birthday), the D/F was re-established as an Independent unit; now once again bearing the name
and number of 2402 (Burghfield) Squadron of the Air Training Corps. In May 2010, Flt Lt Danny Norcross moved to 966 (Wallingford) squadron, which was under the command
of Flt Lt Chris Tocher, who moved to take over 2402 (Burghfield) squadron.
Edited by: Cdt Perkins