For the first time in 40 years, a new Royal Canadian Air Cadets (RCAC) Squadron has been launched in the Springbank area — the first ever in the county of Rocky View.
The community of Springbank is now home to the 952 ‘WestJet’ Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron, functioning since Sept. 6 and filling a long-existing gap for Air Cadets in the region.
With some eight cadets joining from other Calgary squadrons and an additional 10 new cadets from the Cochrane and Springbank areas, commanding officer Capt. Kris Van Appeldoorn is confident that the program will catch on in popularity and continue to grow and flourish as it continues throughout the school year and into the spring of 2013.
“To get the full benefit, kids need to join by Jan. 31, 2013,” said Van Appeldoorn, who added he is ‘thrilled’ to be the commanding officer of this group.
“I’ve been a member of the cadet structure since 1997 . . . as I was approaching the end of my tenure with the last cadet squadron, they approached me and asked me to take this on,” he explained.
Parent volunteer and former cadet, Pc Consul, has 12-year-old twins, son David and daughter Karishma, who have joined the squadron.
“This is an amazing program that gives reverence to citizenship, physical fitness, responsibility, respect, discipline and also encourages an interest in flying and aeronautical activities,” said Consul. “When I was a kid, it was one of the most remarkable experiences...it teaches you so many different things and I think with the team we have in place, we’ll have one of the best-run squadrons up and running in no time.”
Youth must be between the ages of 12-19 to be eligible to join and those interested in everything from art to sports to flying are encouraged to join and find their place in the program.
There are three major aims of the program, according to Lieut. Rick Enns with the program, a reservist with the Canadian Forces: to promote good citizenship, physical fitness and to develop an interest in the aviation industry.
“We’re trying to develop future leaders,” said Enns. “As you move through this program, you become a teacher.”
The 952 ‘WestJet’ RCAC Squadron meets Thursday nights from 6:15 p.m.-9:15 p.m. at the Springbank Middle School gymnasium.
Class activities will include marching, drill, air rifle, public speaking, healthy living, aircraft identification, aeronautics, air force history, leadership skills, teaching skills, sports and more.
For more, visit 952aircadets.ca.
