Biography

Commander Owen Smith, CD

Commanding Officer, Regional Cadet Support Unit (Atlantic)

Cdr Owen Smith is the proud father of Dylan Smith (aspiring motocross champion/comedian) and the devoted husband of Sophie (Chartrand) Smith, who is a Department of National Defence civilian employee and certified Pastry Chef. He grew up in Nova Scotia and will always consider Atlantic Canada his home.

Cdr Smith graduated from Dalhousie University with a Bachelor of Science in Computing Science in 1998 and he also holds a Masters of Defence Studies from the Royal Military College of Canada.

Cdr Smith Joined the Canadian Armed Forces as a Cadet Instructor Cadre officer in 1995 and then in 2001 he enrolled in the Royal Canadian Navy as a Maritime Surface and Sub-Surface Officer. He proudly considers that he “grew up in Destroyers,” having served on HMCS IROQUOIS from 2003 until 2010, with a few short stints on HMCS ATHABASKAN and HMCS ALGONQUIN. During this time, he held the positions of Bridge Watch Keeper, Deck Officer, Naval Boarding Party Officer, and Shipborne Aircraft Controller. He deployed twice with HMCS IROQUOIS, first to the Mediterranean and Europe as the ship assumed duties as Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 Flag Ship in 2006, and then in 2008 when she assumed command of Combined Task Force 150 in the Gulf of Oman and Gulf of Aden.

Cdr Smith served as Operations Officer and Combat Officer on HMCS VILLE DE QUEBEC from 2011 to 2013, followed by the same positions in the Canadian Fleet Atlantic Staff from 2013 to 2015. Following this, he was the Combat Division Commander in Fleet School Atlantic and then took on the challenge of Deputy/J3 North America at the Canadian Joint Operations Command in 2017. Cdr Smith completed the Joint Command and Staff Program at the Canadian Forces College in Toronto in 2019.

Cdr Smith took Command of HMCS GLACE BAY in 2019 where he had the opportunities to command the Op PROJECTION WEST AFRICA 2020 deployment to build capacity with African partner nations. HMCS GLACE BAY deployed to the Arctic on Op NANOOK during the same year to show the Navy’s resolve in the pandemic environment. In 2021, he was appointed Executive Officer of HMCS VILLE DE QUEBEC.

Twenty scholarships to be awarded to students for study in areas related to aviation or aerospace

TORONTO, March 31, 2021 /CNW/ – The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Foundation today unveiled its purpose, mission, new identity, and website along with a major commitment to furthering the education of Canadian students in the areas of S.T.E.M. (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).  READ MORE

The scholarships will be awarded by mid August of 2021. The criteria for application will be posted to the RCAF Foundation web site by May 15, 2021.

The RCAF Foundation, an arms-length not-for-profit foundation, areas of focus will include support for like-minded organizations; partnerships with aviation and aerospace industry; engagement with Air Cadets, students, and young professionals; community initiatives to create important legacy projects; and honouring the history of the RCAF in partnership with museums and historic sites.

A replay of the announcement webcast will be available on the website.

Follow us: Instagram: rcaf_foundation, Twitter: rcaf_foundation, Facebook: RCAF Foundation / Fondation de l’ARC

SOURCE RCAF Foundation

For further information: Victoria Ollers at 416 822-2288 or vollers@rogers.com.

Bravery in the face of uncertainty 

Read the article HERE

See his exchange HERE

October 24, 2020

PEI Provincial Air Cadet League award winners receive provincial and national recognition

Charlottetown – The PEI Provincial Air Cadet League recently celebrated achievements during the 2019-2020 training year at the 77th annual general meeting. This year marked the first time that the meeting was held virtually, and included representatives from all four island air cadet squadrons in attendance. Top PEI Squadron was awarded to Summerside’s 53 C.E. Monty DFC Squadron and Top PEI Air Cadet was received by Cadet Warrant Officer Second Class Connor Costain, also of 53 C.E. Monty DFC Squadron.

In 1953, the Department of National Defense instituted the National Director of the Year scroll. Since that time, it has been presented annually to a Member of the Air Cadet League of Canada in appreciation for the meritorious manner in which the person has stimulated interest in the Air Cadet Movement through service to the Royal Canadian Air Cadets. The President of the League annually recommends a nomination to the Chief of the Defense Staff for his approval. This year the PEI Provincial Air Cadet League was honored to announce such a reward to one of our own in Prince Edward Island, Mr. Russell Gallant of Tignish who serves on the National Board of Governors as well as the PEI Provincial Air Cadet League. In addition, PEI Provincial Madam Chair Kendra Mellish crafted and presented a “quilt of dedication” to Mr. Gallant as a token of appreciation for his ultimate dedication to the Air Cadet program since 1960.

641 West Prince Squadron was recognized with a National Presidential Certificate; one of four squadrons from across Canada to receive this award. This year, it recognizes the efforts of the Squadron Staffs and Sponsoring Committees in providing creative and innovative at-home programs to keep cadets engaged during the 2020 Covid-19 Pandemic.

National Certificates of Merit were presented to Mr. Dan Miller of 60 Confederation Squadron Charlottetown Sponsoring Committee and Mr. Bob Gaudet of 641 West Prince Squadron Sponsoring Committee. This award recognizes a recipient’s meritorious service for a specific project and contribution to their respective Squadron and Provincial League.

National Certificates of Recognition acknowledge an individual or organization who has made a unique and significant contribution that has benefited Air Cadets specifically, and the Air Cadet Movement overall. This year’s recipients were:

• Captain Sarah Handrahan, Commanding Officer, 641 West Prince Squadron
• Alec Blue, PEI Provincial Air Cadet League
• Stephanie Kinch, Sponsoring Committee Chair, 641 West Prince Squadron
• Roy Pedersen, Sponsoring Committee member, 641 West Prince Squadron
• Susan Harris, Sponsoring Committee member, 53 C.E. Monty DFC Squadron
• Stacey Newell, Sponsoring Committee Chair, 327 Southern Kings Squadron
• Nancy York, Sponsoring Committee member, 327 Southern Kings Squadron
• Harvey McDonald, Sponsoring Committee member, 327 Southern Kings Squadron
• Rhonda MacLeod, Montague Legion Ladies Auxiliary for supporting 327 Southern Kings Squadron
• Montague Legion for supporting of 327 Southern Kings Squadron
• Montague Lions Club for supporting of 327 Southern Kings Squadron

 

For more information:
Provincial Chair Kendra Mellish
E-Mail: volunteersaircadetleaguepei@gmail.com

The Annual general Meeting for the Air Cadet League – PEI was held via Bluejeans on Saturday October 17 2020.  Chaired by PC Chair Kendra Mellish, she welcomed eighteen voting delegates and guests.

Among the business transacted was the acceptance of a budget for 2020-2021,  revised By-laws, financial statements and elections.  We are pleased that Kendra Mellish will remain as Chair for the coming year.

The minutes will be posted as they become available.

Of note was an award presentation for Russell Gallant who currently serves as our National representative.  Russell received a hand made lap blanket made specifically for him by Chair Kendra.

As the Chairman of the Provincial PEI Air Cadet League, I would like to extend our appreciation for the amazing work you are all doing especially during this difficult time with Covid-19.

Your diligence, self-motivation as well as dedication to always go the extra mile in order to achieve the best possible results for our Air Cadets is really admirable.

The provincial league executives know the amount of effort that all CO’s, CIC, CI’s, CV’s, League/SSC members, and parents put into our organization and we as a league always want to assure you that your efforts are recognized. More to come on National awards after 13 June.

But today, I want to announce 2020 Top PEI Sqn and Top PEI Cadet. I am proud to share this news with all. Thanks to everyone who participated and helped make this a difficult decision for us! As you are all amazing in our eyes.

53 C.E. Monty DFC Sqn Summerside has been names Top PEI Squadron and WO2 Connor Cole-Costain of 53 C.E. DFC Sqn Summerside is Top Cadet.

Congratulations
Kendra Mellish
Provincial Chair
The Air Cadet League of Canada (PEI) Inc.