The control of the Air Cadet Organization (ACO) is delegated down from MOD to a single formation known as:

Headquarters Air Cadets (HQAC)

This formation is located at Royal Air force Cranwell in Lincolnshire, and is commanded by a regular Royal Air Force Officer who holds the rank of Air Vice Marshal (AVM). The Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Commandant Air Cadets (CmdtAC) is a regular Royal Air Force officer who holds the rank of Air Commodore (Air Cdre). The Air Commodore commands a staff consisting of a mix of serving RAF officers, RAF airmen, RAF reserve officers (RAFR), plus full time civilian clerical staff. The AOC is followed by the Chief of Staff Air Cadets, who holds the rank of Group Captain.

The departmental structure of this formation controls all aspects of the ACO such as: Personnel, finance, Physical Education, training, Engineering and supply, chaplincy services and Public Relations.

Regions

The UK is divided into six areas known as regions, each region is controlled by a retired RAF officer who holds the rank of Group Captain. The Group Captain is usually referred to as the Regional Commandant. He is assisted by a team of regional staff officers and civilian staff.

Each region is then divided into a number of Wings, each wing is controlled by an officer who holds the rank of Wing Commander.  He is assisted by a team of Wing Staff officers and civilian staff. Each wing is responsible for the control of the squadrons and detached flight within that area.
 
 

Region Title	Location	Cadet Numbers	Squadrons & Des	Wings
Scotland & N.Ireland	Edinburgh	3,500	113 & 11	6
Northern	RAF Linton-on-Ouse	6,000	164 & 4	6
Central & East	RAF Henlow	6,600	156 & 6	6
London & South East	RAF Northolt	6,000	173 & 8	7
South West	RAF Locking	5,600	171 & 11	6
Wales & West	RAF Cosford	5,900	144 & 33	6
	Totals	33,600	921 & 73	37