History Air Cadet League of Canada

1 history

1.1 1940s
1.2 1946 1968
1.3 1968 2000
1.4 belt of orion award
1.5 committees

1.5.1 national committees
1.5.2 provincial committees

history
1940s

in canada, there came being idea of select corps of teenaged youths, devote of spare time prepare day when take places in ranks of royal canadian air force (rcaf). in 1940, air minister power, aware of need type of air cadet training, called in group of influential civilians , asked them set national voluntary organization sponsor , develop movement. response immediate, , civilian organization created work on partnership basis rcaf. later developed, partnership main reason striking success of air cadet movement in canada.

on 11 november 1940, order-in-council pc 6647 passed. order authorized formation of air cadet league of canada , set forth responsibilities of civilian body , of rcaf. on 9 april 1941, air cadet league of canada granted dominion charter authorizing operate charitable, non-profit corporation. administrative headquarters established in ottawa, , stage set concentrated appeal sponsors , volunteers throughout provinces. in part of 1941, national board of key men chosen , met first time in ottawa on 2 june of year. 1 of first acts of national directors appoint outstanding chairman in each of 9 provinces. provincial chairmen in turn, set committees , these gentlemen travelled widely, talking public-minded citizens , recruiting local sponsorship squadrons. organization of squadrons proceeded through fall months of 1941 , end of year there 79 squadrons affiliated across country. may 1942, there 135 squadrons , 10,000 cadets. 1 year later, 315 squadrons 23,000 cadets.

the primary purpose of league during formative years military one, founders thinking in terms of long term benefits of air cadet training. realized through voluntary study, cadets improve knowledge of aviation , increase usefulness community. through participation in supervised squadron activities, find opportunities develop qualities associated citizenship. character-building aspect of air cadet training appealed youth leaders of country. service clubs, educators, boards of trade , veterans groups offered services league, not contribution war effort means of assisting youth of country along road citizenship.

in september 1944, movement reached peak war strength of 374 squadrons, on 29,000 cadets, 1,750 officers , instructors , 2,000 civilians supplied financial , other support. has been established during 1 brief period, between october 1943 , june 1944, on 3,000 air cadets graduated wartime rcaf , more score of them subsequently decorated gallantry. proud record , 1 provided tangible proof of value of wartime air cadet training.

1946 1968

immediately following close of war, there natural lessening of interest in cadet activities throughout canada. many squadrons had been set duration disbanded , movement settled down low point of approximately 11,000 cadets in 155 squadrons. commencing in late 1944, league planned , carried out peacetime conversion same vigour tackled wartime responsibilities. important job facing air cadet movement in 1945 provide incentive rival in appeal wartime goal of graduation rcaf. answer found in variety of awards outstanding proficiency , loyalty squadrons. standpoint of popularity, perhaps outstanding innovation summer camps held @ rcaf stations.

in 1946, rcaf introduced flying scholarship courses senior cadets, development gave added importance movement. since scheme began, 13,853 air cadets have completed flying courses , can proudly call pilots. training had completed @ little or no cost either boys , girls or families. selection of air cadets flying scholarships done in orderly way. candidates had physically fit, @ least 17 years old, , have completed level 4 of air cadet training. in addition, must have passed qualifying exam , passed through rigorous canadian forces/league selection procedure @ local, provincial , national levels. in 1946, government approved maximum establishment post-war period of 15,000 cadets across canada. simultaneously, new peacetime program air cadets, based on combination of aviation , citizenship training, put effect league , rcaf.

early in 1949, movement spread new province of newfoundland 6 active squadrons, supported strong civilian committees, in operation few weeks after confederation. year later, need increase in maximum establishment recognized government , ceiling raised 22,500 cadets. league paused observe tenth anniversary in 1951, point fine record of service canada. 65,000 boys had worn air cadet uniform , participated in training program. in 1961, league celebrated coming of age, more 150,000 air cadets had received training in squadrons numbering 332. if cadets had received air cadet training time have been paraded @ 1 time in column of route, parade have stretched distance of 35 miles. in view of strong demand new units @ time , provide gradual expansion, authority granted in 1972 increase stages present entitlement of 28,000 air cadets.

air cadet schweizer sgs 2-33/2-33a glider


1968 2000

on 1 february 1968, air cadet league lost original partner, royal canadian air force, , unification brought new partnership canadian armed forces. in 1969, directorate of cadets formed @ national defence headquarters set policy , coordinate activities of 3 cadet movements. office functions under director general reserves , cadets.

the day-to-day control of air cadets vested in 6 military regions affiliated functional commands of canadian forces functional commander serving regional commander: atlantic region - maritime command; eastern region - mobile command; central region - canadian forces training system; prairie region - air command; pacific region - maritime pacific; , northern region.

following several years of unofficial participation in squadron-operated girl cadet flights , official participation girls in air cadet movement approved parliament on 30 july 1975. @ present time, girls make 30% of enrolment in air cadet squadrons across country.

belt of orion award

the belt of orion award excellence founded canada s aviation hall of fame in 1988 honour organizations, groups, societies or associations have made outstanding contributions advancement of aviation in canada. belt of orion award excellence bestowed upon air cadet league of canada in 1989. orion, son of neptune, according greek mythology, handsome , energetic hunter possessed power walk through sea , on surface. artemis, goddess of hunt, fell in love orion, twin brother, apollo, jealous , sent scorpion kill him. in sorrow , remorse death, artemis placed him in sky constellation. orion, great hunter, brilliant constellation, second big dipper on roster of major constellations. straddles celestial equator, , outlined quadrilateral of 3 brilliant stars—betelgeuse, bellatrix , rigel, , 1 of lesser magnitude. inside quadrilateral 3 second-magnitude stars forming belt of orion. 3 stars of belt point south-eastward sirius, brightest star of heavens.

committees
national committees

the league governed board of governors comprising 15 canadian citizens, representing provinces , territories. board meets annually, chooses president, vice-presidents, executive committee, national honors , awards committee, national fund raising committee, national finance committee, national flying committee, policies , procedures committee, effective speaking contest committee , national selections committee. there advisory board made of past-presidents of league. board maintains full-time administrative headquarters in ottawa under supervision of executive director. office works closely ndhq , provides year-round supervision , administration of air cadet league , numerous activities in support of 444 squadrons.

aside administrative functions in support of movement, annual contributions solicited canadian public air cadet movement @ national level include, flying scholarships @ $42,500.00, rifle competitions @ $500.00, music program @ $2200.00, continuation flying training awards @ $15,300.00, summer training awards top cadets @ $3,700.00, national effective speaking contest @ $6,600.00, educational scholarships @ $700.00, awards top military college cadets @ $900.00.

provincial committees

there 12 provincial committees, 1 each province, 1 northern territories, , 1 n.w. ontario. membership comprises local sponsoring committee chairmen, plus such other persons may elected. provision made prominent , influential citizens associate provincial committees members of advisory councils. provincial committees meet annually, elect provincial chairman, vice-president , other officers and, in cases, employ full-time secretaries or managers. in number of provinces there regional committees come under jurisdiction of provincial committee. provincial committees supervise activities of air cadet units in respective areas , financed means of public subscription , support of member squadrons.

the balance sheets of provincial committees reveal year ended 31 august 1995, 12 committees raised in excess of $1,948,000.00 in support of canada s 25,000 air cadets. in addition, provincial committees of air cadet league across canada own gliders , aircraft provide canadian forces air cadet glider pilot training , familiarization flying.

air cadet wings (power flying scholarship graduation) parade, st. andrew s manitoba, 2008