The cadet-training year has just begun and we have already completed our first Field Training weekend of the year.

A total of 37 youths from 904 Kootenai Creston and 552 Key City Cranbrook Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadrons travelled to Alberta to take part in ‘Operation Fall Exploration,’ which involved visiting three museums in three days.

Our first stop was at the Bomber Museum of Canada in Nanton, where the Lancaster Merlin Engine and the Bristol Hercules 14 Cylinder Radial engine night run-ups were taking place. Cadets paraded in front of the Lancaster and gave a Salute to the firefighters, before moving to a safe area to watch the run-ups.

Cadets were surprised by the vibrations they felt from the ground as the engines ran, and how loud it was. The Lancaster engines were running just over half power, so I asked them to imagine what it would be like to have a squadron flying over them. The Hangar Flight Museum (formally known as Aerospace) was the second and the Military Museum was the third. All three museums offered interesting displays and information for the cadets to explore.

During the weekend senior cadets worked on Leadership Tasking assignments and executing Teambuilding Activities. It is really interesting to watch the group dynamics in action. Cadets had many ideas to complete the task and they had to reach an agreement on which way was the better way. We had a very successful training weekend and are busy preparing for our next activities and exciting challenges.

Air Cadets offers a dynamic youth training program, open to everyone 12 – 18 years old who would like to try something a little different. Tuesday’s 6 – 9 p.m. at #308-10th Ave. South.

For more information Captain Bott 250-417-5831 [email protected]

Lead image: Cadets in front of the Lancaster. Photos submitted

Submitted by Capt. Lori-Lee Bott

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