ERIN — On June 6, the cadets at 242 Ross Ferguson Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron (RCACS) participated in their annual review at the Erin Agricultural Society grounds, and celebrated the successes of the cadets over the 2022-2023 training year.
32 cadets from Erin and surrounding areas took part in the 242 Ross Ferguson RCACS review. The event was the 20th year celebration for this unit, and much of the community’s “finest youth” pass through this program learning leadership, citizenship, physical fitness, and aviation skills.
“Cadets, you should be proud of what you have accomplished this year. Covid has left many of us reeling but you stayed, and you flourished. You exemplify the resilience of this program,” said Major Jeremy Bonnar to the cadets at the event.
Throughout the 2022-2023 training year, cadets travelled to the Hamilton Warplane Museum, the Dufferin County Museum, Canada’s Wonderland, and Niagara Falls. Cadets stood a 12-hour overnight vigil at the Erin Cenotaph for Remembrance Day and took part in many local events from the fair to parades, and community service initiatives.
242 Ross Ferguson RCACS said they are extremely appreciative of the community’s ongoing support throughout the training year. Officials say the community has supported fundraisers, community service opportunities, events, ceremonies, etc.
As the squadron goes on summer hiatus, cadets will continue their service as staff cadets working at cadet training centers across the province. Cadets will attend training at many of the training centers across the country.
This summer, 2 Erin Cadets will be at Canadian Forces Base Borden in Ontario to become survival instructors and another to Argonaut Cadet Training Center in New Brunswick for Marksmanship Instructor training.
Level 1 and 2 cadets will take part in the local Cadet Activity Training Program (CAP) at the Peel Agricultural Center. Warrant Officer Second Class (WO2) Ferguson Groves will be in Red Deer, Alberta completing his Power Pilots Training Course (PPTC) funded and provided by the cadet program. WO2 Groves will return at the end of the summer as a fully licensed pilot with Transport Canada.
The squadron is proud of all the cadets this year and wish best of luck to senior cadets, Warrant Officer First Class Emmy Stuckless, Warrant Officer Second Class William Knight, WO2 Karaninder Sidhu, and Flight Sergeant Owen McGregor who move on to college or future endeavors.
