The Enniskillen Air Cadets is now officially open at the Army Reserve Centre on Rossorry Church Road.

The historic moment on Monday, October 7 marks the first return of the Air Force blue uniform to Fermanagh since the days of the RAF’s flying boat base in Castlearchdale during World War II.

The Royal Air Force Air Cadets is a youth organisation focused on helping local children thrive in the world of aviation, providing exclusive experiences and skills to help them get an enjoyable kick-start to their teen years.

This success is no better exemplified than by Northern Ireland Wing Cadet Warrant Officer Matthew Bermingham, who has been in the Portadown Air Cadets for seven years.

The historic moment on October 7 marks the first return of the Air Force blue uniform to Fermanagh since the days of the RAF’s flying boat base in Castlearchdale during World War II (Image: Callum McGuigan) He said: “Through my time I have had so many fantastic experiences including going to Canada for two weeks last years as part of an exchange programme.

"I have also completed several scholarships including a gliding scholarship, where I got to fly a glider up to solo standard.

"The air cadets is really about what you put into it, which is what you will get out of it."

Having seen massive successes in Omagh for over 30 years, the Northern Ireland Wing Commander for the Air Cadets, Chris Hodges, said he is "super pleased" to extend aviation for young people in Fermanagh.

He said: "We have had our ambitions to move west to Fermanagh for many years and on the eve of Covid we were about to launch this new unit.

"We are super pleased to have now fully opened Enniskillen as there is a historic relationship with the Royal Air Force dating back to when the flying boats were here during the Second World War."

The Enniskillen Air Cadets will be open on Mondays for both potential newcomers, aged 12 to 17, and adults interested in joining as staff.