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The hangar doors are open again for 186 Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron of Lloydminster.
The squadron held its annual registration night this month at E.S. Laird Middle School, welcoming returning cadets and new recruits alike. Uniforms got resized, paperwork got sorted and families got a look at what’s ahead this year.
For Capt. Jaime Petty, the squadron’s commanding officer, the night is about more than forms.
“It’s just a good night to kind of get all the paperwork and stuff out of the way,” Petty said.
This year’s lineup includes field training exercises with other squadrons and units, a gliding day planned for spring and a tour of Wainwright base. Petty said the squadron also runs a full slate of aviation and cadet-focused activities throughout the year.
He’s quick to point out what the program is not.
“This is definitely not a recruitment program,” Petty said. “It has nothing to do with us trying to get them into the Canadian Armed Forces.”
Instead, she said the goals are physical fitness, citizenship and an appreciation for what the Canadian Armed Forces does for the country. Cadets aren’t required to join the military after they age out, though some do.
Petty’s own son is one of them. He’s now working on F-18s and F-35s with the Air Force in Cold Lake.
“That’s a big proud moment for myself,” Petty said.
Others have gone on to different paths entirely. Petty said one of Lloydminster’s own deputy mayors came up through the cadet program.
“I think it’s a barrier-free program that provides a lot of opportunities for cadets,” Petty said. “It gives them an opportunity to be good members of our community.”
For WO1 Leopold Ross, the squadron’s top-ranking cadet, the appeal started with a dream of flying.
Ross joined cadets in December 2019 with 644 Squadron in Camrose. He transferred to 186 in Lloydminster a year later.
“When I first joined the program, I wanted to become a pilot,” Ross said. “I loved the Air Force and that was just my dream to fly in the Canadian Armed Forces.”
His goals have since shifted, but Ross said the program still delivered.
“Cadets has been, I’ve learned like many different skills,” Ross said.
Public speaking tops that list. Ross said he used to get nervous speaking in front of groups, large or small. That’s no longer the case.
He has a simple pitch for any 12-year-old on the fence about joining.
“When you join the cadet program, you’re going to create many friendships,” Ross said. “I’ve had cadets that aged out years ago, and I’m still friends with them many years later.”
Beyond friendships, Ross said cadets come away with aviation knowledge and life skills most adults never pick up.
Anyone who meets the age requirements can register with 186 Squadron online at any time during the year. The squadron meets every Tuesday night at E.S. Laird Middle School.
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