Air cadets find new home at legion hall

It’s a newly formed alliance that makes sense for two Niagara-on-the-Lake groups committed to service.

The 809 Newark Squadron Air Cadets have moved from the Croatian Centre on Line 3 to their new headquarters at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 124 on King Street.

Katie Kells, cadet sponsorship committee chair, talked to The Local about why this partnership works.

“Cadets participate in the legion’s annual poppy campaign the first two Saturdays in November,” she said. “They also join the legion in various parades throughout the year to commemorate fallen soldiers.”

Cadets will be out as usual on Remembrance day, November 11, “standing vigil” at the cenotaph in the Old Town starting at 6 a.m., and in Queenston at 1 p.m.

Kells, who currently has a son and daughter in the program, and an older son who was in the program from 2012 until 2018, spoke about the valuable knowledge cadets receive and the service they provide to their community.

The cadet program is for youth ages 12 to 18. “Grade 7 is a great time to join,” said Kells.  However, she added, if kids are older and interested, it is never too late to join. “Due to COVID we had lots of kids join at an older age. If these kids work hard they can fast-track through the program.”

Training officer Cpt. Heather Emptage started as a cadet over 22 years ago. “It’s a fantastic program” with three distinct goals: to stimulate an interest in the Canadian Forces, to inform and promote Canadian citizenship and to promote physical fitness, she said.

While the 809 Squadron currently has only two female cadets, Emptage said, “anecdotally, female cadets tend to achieve very highly,” and many cadets go into public service.

The cadet program provides opportunities for youth to gain valuable knowledge and skills that build confidence and help as they develop into adulthood.

At regular meetings, cadets learn about aviation technologies, air crew survival, and how to fly.  They also participate in ceremonial drill, range, field exercise training, sports nights, and  effective speaking.

Cadets look forward to gliding, camping, and educational trips, said Kells. Last year they went to Ottawa to tour the Deifenbunker Museum, the War Museum and the Parliament buildings.

Some cadets attend  summer training programs at cadet training centres located on military bases throughout Canada. Kells’ 14 year-old daughter wants to become a pilot, so she spent two weeks this summer at the Blackdown Cadet Training Centre in Borden, Ontario, where she studied aviation technology and aerospace. “She had a fantastic experience and met many new friends,” said Kells.

Senior cadets have an opportunity to enrol in ground school and either power or glider pilot programs. The first steps to getting a full pilot licence and 809 Squadron have three cadets pursuing this.

Senior cadets are also enroled in a Canada-wide Advance Leadership Program where they will spend the next two years participating in extra activities working towards this certification.

Every Thursday evening at the Legion's fish fry some cadets volunteer their time, outside of the cadet program, to serve dinner to community members.

To learn more about 809 Squadron Air Cadets, visit their website at 809cadets.ca. “Or, simply come out to one of our meetings and speak to us in person. Every one is welcome any time,” said Kells.

Cadets meet every Monday night for regular mandatory training and every Wednesday night for optional training.