The 521 Aurora Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron Mission celebrates its 65th anniversary this year. The squadron was formed March 27, 1950.
It’s been a busy and successful few weeks for the group. The Mission Squadron has announced the selection of five local cadets for the highly coveted National Summer Scholarship Camps after a competitive exam and interview process.
Matthew Wiebe has been awarded the Power Pilot Scholarship, Ryan Greenwood claimed the Glider Pilot Scholarship and Aaron Mckinley chosen for the Advanced Aviation Technology Aircraft Maintenance Course.
Noel Horton and Ryan Harrison have been selected as spares for glider pilot and aircraft maintenance respectively.
The squadron has grown in recent years. Enrolment currently averages 75 youth from age 12 to 18. Part of what attracts Mission youth to cadets are the optional activities available. There is enough to keep cadets busy four nights per week and many weekends as well.
The squadron runs weekly optional classes in drill, first aid, effective speaking, advance survival, special ops, rifle range, ground school and a very successful effective speaking course which has produced two regional gold medals for the squadron, most recently for Timothy Munter, who represented 521 at provincials last weekend.
Cadets have had multiple opportunities this year to experience gliding at Abbotsford Airport, familiarization flying at Pitt Meadows Airport, four weekend field training camping trips, and a multi-day tour of CFB Comox.
Mission cadets also participated in ceremonies for the Battle of Britain, Remembrance Day and Vimy Ridge.
521 Aurora has been parading on Thursday nights at Mission secondary school for a number of years but will be moving to Heritage Park School in September due to the district’s school reconfiguration. The Mission cadet program runs September to June, following the school calendar.