WO2 Ellen Dobbs of the Acton Air Cadets receives her First Solo Certificate from her Instructor.
For the past seven weeks, 14 cadets from 197 Typhoon squadron in Acton have been away at three different Cadet Summer Training Centers (CSTC). There they joined cadets from all over Ontario on various courses designed to complement and enhance their local headquarters training, as well as providing the opportunity to meet new friends and of course have fun!
197 Squadron Commanding Officer, Captain Scott Legge said, “Summer courses are a great opportunity for cadets to grow personally, learn new skills, expand their knowledge base and gain confidence and independence. Air cadet summer courses really give teens the opportunity to spread their wings and push the limits of their comfort zone in a positive, supportive and enabling environment that will benefit each of them in their future cadet, academic, social and employment endeavors.”
The eight youngest cadets attended Trenton CSTC for General Training, a two-week course designed to give them an introduction to the summer training center and the various specialized courses they can apply for in the future. Three older cadets attended three-week courses at Blackdown CSTC in Borden focusing on Sports and Fitness and Drill and Ceremonial.
Three of the Senior cadets were selected for advanced courses: Flight Corporal Sheldon Hannaford attended the six-week Drill and Ceremonial Instructor course at Trenton and Sergeant Bart Amroz, the six-week Survival Instructor course at Blackdown. The new squadron chief, Warrant Officer Second Class Ellen Dobbs won a Power Pilot scholarship and is now competing her seven-week course at Durham Flight Center in Oshawa where she is earning her private pilot’s licence. Being selected for Power Pilot is the pinnacle of Air Cadet summer training, earned through a highly competitive process of examinations and interviews.
197 squadron is looking forward on welcoming back all these cadets and looking forward to them teaching their newly learned skills to the rest of the squadron.
Participation in the summer training program is not limited to the cadets, as two of the squadron’s officers, Captain Kati Nuttall and Second Lieutenant Alex Gawlina, served at the Canadore CSTC in North Bay for the past seven weeks, leading and supervising cadets from across Canada who were selected to attend the national Advanced Aviation Technology courses.
197 squadron’s 2014/5 Local training season will be commencing soon, offering a dynamic and exciting program to all interested youth between the ages of 12 and 18. As well as a comprehensive local training program, 197 squadron offers a Drill Team, Marksmanship Team, Military Band and a Flight Scholarship program. We also plan an annual trip at March break and weekend activities including sports days, orienteering, survival field exercises, glider and power flying. 197 squadron cadets can regularly be seen at local community events, assisting Royal Canadian Legion Branch 197 and Acton BIA with their events.
197 squadron will be holding a recruiting night on Monday, August 25 at the Acton Legion, 7-9 p.m. All interested local youth and their parents are encouraged to attend to find out more about this free program. 197 squadron parades at the Acton Legion on Tuesday evenings from 6:30-9:15 p.m. throughout the school year. For more information please contact Captain Scott Legge, 519-831-9925.
The aim of the Canadian Cadet Program is to develop in youth the attributes of good citizenship and leadership; promote physical fitness; and stimulate an interest in the activities of the Canadian Armed Forces. The local unit is sponsored by the Air Cadet League of Canada in partnership with the Canadian Armed Forces and our Squadron Sponsoring Committee as well as its primary sponsor – Royal Canadian Legion Branch 197.