Squadron celebrates 75th inspection

Local Air Cadet Squadron #17 Yorkton celebrated their 75th Annual Inspection parade today at the YRHS. The Reviewing Officer for the ceremony was His Worship Bob Maloney.

Sgt. Dane Durdin, masterfully commanded the parade square of 20 Cadets. The Cadets on parade were able to demonstrate how much they have learned over the past training year.

Sgt Dane Durdin was awarded the Gienow trophy for demonstrating the greatest aptitude for the Air Cadet program in the Squadron.

Other Award receivers were:

Outstanding First Year – LAC Jaron Weinmaster

General Proficiency Second Year – Cpl Mackenzie Kristjanson

General Proficiency Third Year – F/Cpl Ethan Allen

Most Improved – LAC Avery Wilkins

Outstanding Senior Cadet – Sgt Dane Durdin

Dunns Citizenship – F/Cpl Ethan Allen

Marksman of the Year – Jr. Cpl Jaycee Brownlee/ Sr. F/Cpl Taylor Poersch

On September 7, 1941, the Yorkton squadron was the 17th squadron to be formed of The Royal Canadian Air Cadet Program. Tonight we celebrate our 75th Anniversary of their first parade.

In the early days of World War II, France had fallen, Britain was under heavy attack from the air, and there was a critical need for planes and young men trained to fly them. Canadians came up with the idea to create a corps of teenaged youth who would devote some of their spare time to join the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). In 1940, the Minister of National Defence for Air, Charles G. Power, called a group of influential civilians and asked them to create a nation-wide voluntary organization to sponsor and develop this program.

Today, Air Cadets is one of the premier youth organizations in Canada.

#17 Squadron originally held their Parade’s at the Yorkton Collegiate Institute where they were provided funding and space. When the YCI was torn down, the squadron than moved into the YRHS where they had specific rooms built for them to hold their parade and range practice.

In 1975, legislation was changed to officially allow the enrolment of female cadets into the Royal Canadian Sea, Army, and Air Cadets.

Uniforms for the groups are provided by the RCAF, along with training plans and personnel. Each local league is directed by a group of local citizens.

For more information on the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, please visit www.cadets.ca