Former 197 Squadron WO2, now Captain Christopher Gallinger (Pilot) of 439 Squadron SAR, “Dropped in” to visit 197 Squadron with his Search and Rescue (SAR) team: Captain Paula Findlater (Co-Pilot) and Corporal Sebastien Durand (Flight Engineer) along with their Griffon Helicopter on Sunday 9 September, while they are transiting from a special assignment supporting the London Air Show, to their base of operations at CFB Bagotville.

ACTON – Acton Air Cadets WO1 Matthew Davey and F/Sgt Krishi Kulenthiran both earned their pilot licenses this summer.

Davey gained his power pilot license at the Diamond Flight Center in London, Ont.

Kulenthiran earned her glider pilot license at Mountainview Cadet Training Center.

Flight scholarships are earned through a series of exams and interviews and represent the pinnacle of Air Cadet training.

“These cadets have been studying for many years to qualify for this opportunity,” said 197 Squadron Commanding Officer, Lt Richard Dobbs.

“Flight scholarships are earned through a highly competitive process and it is very gratifying to see them go on and successfully complete the training.”

197 squadron will be holding a recruiting night on Sept. 17 at the Acton legion from 7 to 9pm.

All interested local youth and their parents are encouraged to attend to find out more about this free program.

The 197 squadron parades at the Acton Legion on Tuesday evenings from 6:30 to 9:15pm throughout the school year.

For more information contact Lieutenant Richard Dobbs at 905-699-0469.

Submitted Photo – The Wellington Advertiser Vol 51 Issue 36

Congratulations to our WO1 Matthew Davey on his successful completion and graduation of the Power Pilot Flight Scholarship course at Diamond Flight Centre in London, ON. WO1 Davey has earned his wings and now holds a Private Pilots License from Transport Canada.

Each year from approximately 8000 eligible cadets across Canada, some 250 to 300 cadets names are put forth by their squadrons and are then put through intensive tests, interviews and review boards where each facet of the cadets career, school record, interviews etc are gone thru in detail to determine a merit score and from that who in fact will earn the coveted Flight Scholarships.

For 2018 only 60 Cadets were selected for the Power Pilot Flight Scholarship from across Canada. Approximately 36 cadets from across Ontario were selected and split into 3 groups of 12 to train at 3 different flight centres. Of those 36 cadets, 2 were selected from Actons’ 197 Air Cadets: WO1 Alessio Luna and WO2 Matthew Davey. WO1 Luna was unable to accept his flight scholarship as he was selected to attend the Royal Military College where his new career would start before both the start and end date of the flight scholarship course. WO2 Davey (WO1 in June) went on to attend and successfully complete the Power Pilot Flight Scholarship course.

These flight scholarships are intense, cadets are pushed hard and much is expected of them. The 7 week course they attend is the same course any civilian would take to earn their Transport Canada (PPL) Power Pilots License, however the civilian course takes approximately 8 months to complete, whereas the cadets will have to complete the course in less than 7 weeks. To paraphrase WO1 Davey, “it was intense, stressful and the most fun, exciting and amazing time of my life so far.”

ACTON – 197 Air Cadets Typhoon Squadron puts on a show for their Annual Ceremonial Review.

The 197 Typhoon Squadron showcased their talents again this year, WO1 Alessio Luna the “Chief” of the cadets gave a moving speech to all of his cadets as he prepares to move on from Air Cadets to the Royal Military College for the start of his University courses and the next chapter of his life. Honoured guests, Parents and Family along with the 197 Staff were treated to some precision Drill as part of the pomp and ceremony. Five air cadets retired from the squadron at the end of the review.

Many well deserved awards were handed out:

Best 1st Year Cadet Award: sponsored by Acton Home Hardware – LAC Ashley Kolozsvari

Best Dressed Cadet: sponsored by Legion Branch 197 Ladies Auxiliary – Cpl Jackson Vallance

Top Lottery Ticket Sales: sponsored by the Squadron Sponsoring Committee – WO2 James Cargill

Initiative: sponsored by The Township of Guelph-Eramosa – WO2 Alex Pumphrey

Enthusiasm: sponsored by the Town of Halton Hills – Cpl Cameron Toth

Top Instructor: sponsored by the Optimist Club of Halton Hills – WO2 Matthew Davey

Best Junior NCO: sponsored by the Rotary Club of Acton/Rockwood – Sgt Krishni Kulenthiran

Leadership: sponsored by Royal Canadian Legion Branch 197 – WO2 James Cargill

Air Cadet of the Year – WO2 Matthew Davey

Legion Medal of Excellence – WO1 Alessio Luna

Lord Strathcona Medal – WO2 Matthew Davey

Reviewing Officer – Mayor Rick Bonnette

ACL Representative – Mr.Keith Smith, Capt(Ret)

RCO Representative – Captain Lisa Burton

Commanding Officer – Capt Scott Legge

Sponsoring Chair – Mrs.Carol Bee

Squadron Commander – WO1 Alessio Luna

Photo 1 – Members of the 197 Drill Team showcased an impressive Rifle Drill. Submitted Photo.

Photo 2 – 5 Members of the 197 Squadron accept a gift from the squadron as they retire from Air Cadet service. Submitted Photo – Left to Right: F/Sgt Jack Mowat, WO1 Alessio Luna, WO2 James Cargill, F/Sgt Carson Cadell, Sgt Issac Daleman, Squadron Commanding Officer Cpt. Scott Legge.

34th Annual Ceremonial Review – 03 June 2018