HISTORY

THE EARLY DAYS – 1940’S
To understand why and how the Air Cadet League of Canada came into being, it is necessary to recall the early days of World War II. France had fallen, the Low Countries had been invaded, and Britain was under heavy attack from the air. The critical need was for planes and more planes – and for trained young men to fly them in defense of freedom. Against this background there grew in Canada the idea of a select corps of teen-aged youths who would devote some of their spare time to preparing for the day when they would take their places as aircrew in the ranks of the RCAF. READ MORE>>

Fast forward: Since the Air Cadet League of Canada came into being in April 1941, close to one million young Canadians have participated in the training program. It is estimated that in one way or another, 500,000 Canadians are involved in the Air Cadet Movement today.

Check out these “I am” videos 

I wanted to provide the web link to new monthly videos being produced by Cdr Antonew that I thought would be beneficial to provide you some details on some activities and matters that I may have already advised you on or would have provided additional situational awareness on.

League partners and any external stakeholders may access the CO’s videos by:

• Click “RCSU(A) Commanding Officer” Playlist

The Air Cadet League PEI wants to introduce you to some of Air Cadet alumni who have found success because of their involvement.

LCol Todd Sharp

Todd was born and raised in Summerside, Prince Edward Island.  He became an Air Cadet in 1979 with 53 RCACS, and it was there that he was introduced to military flying. The first aircraft he ever flew in was the CH-113 Labrador and CC-115 Buffalo, and he knew from that time on that he wanted to be a military aviator. He was awarded gliding and power scholarships and achieved the rank of WO2.  READ MORE >>

Jason Berndt

“Since I was three years old, I wanted to be a pilot,” said Berndt, 27, over the phone from Bagotville, Quebec where he’s posted to the 433 Tactical Fighter Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force. “Six years old or so, I wanted to be a fighter pilot.” READ MORE

Lieutenant-Colonel Trevor Campbell

Lt. Campbell grew up in Brackley, PEI.  He enrolled in 60 Confederation Royal Canadian Air Cadet Sqn in Charlottetown PEI in 1981 and made his way through the program to become the Sqn WO1, while attending leadership summer training, glider and power scholarship programs.  He enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces as ROTP in 1988 and obtained his BSc (Chemistry) in 1990 from the University of Prince Edward Island.  Earning his military pilot wings in 1992, LCol Campbell joined HS 423 Squadron in Shearwater, NS, where he served for five years as a pilot and Crew Commander, flying the CH-124 “Sea King” Helicopter off numerous HMC Ships on NATO, European and Caribbean operations. READ MORE >>

Cst Jason McInnis – Calgary Police Service

Born and raised in Summerside, PEI. Cst McInnis enrolled in 53 Sqn Royal Canadian Air Cadets in January 1989.   He completed the program in Sept 1994 having reached the rank of Warrant Officer 1st Class. Cst McInnis attended summer training and fondly remembers his time as summer staff for the Tri-Service Lifeguard Course at CFB Cornwallis.  Cst McInnis joined the Calgary Police Service in September 2003. He continues to serve with the Calgary Police Service and coincidentally has served under Sgt Mike Inglis also a 53 Sqn alumnus.   He graduated from the University of Prince Edward Island Bachelor of Arts & Diploma of Public Administration (2000)  READ MORE >>

Lisa L. Goulden – Q.C

Lisa L. Goulden, Q.C. was born in Moncton, N.B. and raised in Summerside, PEI.  She was a member of the 53 SQN Royal Canadian Air Cadets from 1981 to 1985 at which time she had achieved the rank of Flight Sergeant.

Lisa was an active participant with the 53 SQN marching band.  She played the glockenspiel, practicing at home on many occasions, much to her parent’s consternation.  She was also a proud member of the 53 SQN championship drill team.  She attended basic training and marching band summer camps in Greenwood N.S. and the Senior Leaders Course in Cold Lake, Alberta where she was named the top Prince Edward Island Cadet.  READ MORE >>

Major (Ret) Duane K. Boosamra, CD GK

Major (Ret) Duane K. Boosamra was born to a military family in Winnipeg, MB in November 1966. Being a military family, they moved about until his family arrived in CFB Summerside, PEI in June 1980 where Major Boosamra’s interest in aviation was first acted upon. Through his time with the 53 Squadron Royal Canadian Air Cadets in Summerside, Major Boosamra attained his Glider Pilot and Private Pilot’s licences and went on to become an instructor in both Gliders and Powered aircraft with the Air Cadets. When he aged out of Air Cadets, Major Boosamra’s love for flying had taken hold. READ MORE  >>

Major Sheila Templeton

Sheila Templeton

Known as “Rusty” she is a former Flight Sergeant for 53 Summerside RCACS. 53 RCACS was the second of three cadet squadrons that she was a member of but by far the most memorable. She was a former air cadet with 742 in Ottawa and 191 in Winnipeg as well. In 1987 just before aging out of cadets she joined the Canadian Armed Forces as a pilot and went off to basic training.

The world had other plans for her and in 1989 she left the regular force and returned to University of Winnipeg to become a teacher.  Rusty joined the Cadet Instructor Cadre right away to continue serving as a member of the Air Force and to teach air cadets in Winnipeg. READ MORE >>

MWO Steve Dornan

MWO Steve Dornan joined 44 Sqn. Air Cadets in 1978 at the age of 13 in Sarnia Ontario, a year later transferred to 151 Sqn. Oshawa. He then moved to 53 Sqn. Summerside where he rose to the rank of WO2 over the next five years. During this time he also obtained his Glider Pilot license, and was one of the first pilots establishing the PEI glider program, flying CF-ACH a 2-22 and winch tow.  As a cadet he went on to obtain his private pilot license and instructor ratings.  He then joined 420 Air Reserve Sqn Summerside. as an Airborne Electronic Sensor Operator (AESOp) flying on the CP-121 tracker aircraft. While at 420 Sqn he met his future wife Rosanne who was a clerk at the Sqn, they married, raised three children and remain devoted to each other to this day. READ MORE >>

Elvis Doucette

Elvis Doucette

Elvis Doucette

Elvis grew up in Tignish PEI and was introduced to the Air Cadet program by a classmate. Almost immediately, he enjoyed the training, and camaraderie afforded by the unit.  Elvis attended camp every summer during his time as a Cadet, including the introduction to Air Traffic control and Flying Scholarship.  After attaining the rank of Warrant officer, Elvis served as a training officer at his home Squadron for two years.

Elvis went on to complete his commercial flight training at The Career Academy School of Aviation in Halifax, as well as multi-engine and instrument ratings, and flight instructor training. Over the next few years, he instructed student pilots on various single and multi-engine aircraft, and then went on to fly the Beechcraft King Air, and DeHavilland Dash-8 aircraft. He is currently employed by WestJet Airlines, where he has been qualified on the Boeing 737 since 2007.

‘‘Air Cadets has made me who I am today.  I learned leadership skills, public speaking, and instructional techniques. It was in Air Cadets that I discovered my love for travel.  Even today, I still keep in contact with many of the friends I made through Air Cadets, decades ago. Most important of all, it was because of the Air Cadets that I realized I had a passion for flying and was able to take the initial steps on a lifelong journey into the sky.’’

Lieutenant-Colonel Cathy C. Blue, CD

Lieutenant-Colonel Cathy Blue was born and raised in Hopefield, Prince Edward Island. She was a founding Air Cadet of 327 Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron, Montague PEI, when the
Squadron stood up in 1983 and it was there that she developed an interest in leadership, aviation technology and the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).

She enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces in April 1989 under the Regular Officer Training Program as a Communication and Electronic Engineer (CELE) Officer. Under this program, she completed her Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Prince Edward Island.  Lieutenant-Colonel Blue has served in numerous operational and training position across the Canadian Armed Forces. Including positions within 8 Wing Telecommunication and Information Systems Squadron (WTISS), J6 Operations, and 76 Communications Group. She has also served as the Chief Instructor/Deputy Commandant of the Canadian Forces School of Communications and Electronics (CFSCE). She has deployed with NATO as the Communications Officer for the Stabilization Force Communication Zone Headquarters in Zagreb, Croatia.  << READ MORE >>