Hello 809!

I hope everyone had a great March Break.   Bowling last Wednesday night turned out to be a blast.   Thanks to everyone for coming out and making it a great night.

I’d like to take this opportunity to wish both WO1 Dau and WO2 Deane good luck on their respective review boards this week for Power Pilot Training Course and Glider Pilot Training Course

Please note that there’s been a change to schedule for 01APR2024.    This is the 100^th Anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force.   Air Cadet squadrons from throughout the Niagara Air Group will be celebrating this birthday by being at the Niagara Falls as they’re illuminated blue for the evening.  We usually don’t have training on Easter Monday, but this is a special occasion.   Names will be taken this Wednesday of all cadets/staff looking to attend.    See announcements for details.

Here are the announcements for this week:

1. Optional Training – Monday, 18MAR2024:

Regular Monday Optional training this week @ the Squadron LHQ.    The flight simulator will be open and other activities will take place.   Come on out and be social.

Time: 1900-2100hrs
Where: Squadron LHQ
Dress: Appropriate Civilian Attire
Duty Officer: Capt Couroux

2. 2024 NGTA Training and Professional Development Session – 23/24MAR2024:

The CO, TrgO, SWO and DSWO are all attending the 2024 NGTA Traininig and Professional Development Session in Toronto on the 23-24MAR2024.   Representitives from all units within the Niagara Greater Toronto Area (NGTA) are preparing the training calendar for the 2024/25 training year.

3. Summer Training Opportunities are Now Available:

If you’ve been paying attention to the Facebook and Squadron Website Posts, summer course opportunities have opened up.

Summer training opportunities are available to cadets who are Level 2 or higher.  Courses include:

• Air Rifle Marksmanship (2 wk introduction or 4 wk instructor)
• Drill and Ceremonial (2 wk introduction or 4 wk instructor)
• Sports and Fitness (2 wk introduction or 4 wk instructor)
• Military Band (2 wk introduction or 4 wk instructor)
• Pipe Band (2 wk introduction or 4 wk instructor
• Aviation Technology and Aerospace (2 wk)
• Advanced Aviation (4 week)
• Survival (2 wk Introduction or 4 wk Instructor)

2-week courses are for levels 2+, 4-week courses are for levels 3+.  Here’s the link for the website post, which contains links to the course descriptions and locations:

Great news on Summer Training | 809 Newark (809cadets.ca)

If you’re interested in attending a CTC this summer, please see squadron staff for more information.  Hurry, though.   Applications are due 31MAR24 for courses.

NOTE: APPLICATIONS FOR STAFF ARE NOW CLOSED

4. Niagara Air Group (NAG) Photo – Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Centennial – 01APR2024:

On Monday evening, 01APR2024, we will be celebrating the RCAF’s 100^th birthday with the Niagara Air Group (NAG) by having a group photo taken at Niagara Falls.  On this special evening, Niagara Falls will be illuminated in Air Force Blue.   We don’t have training at the unit this evening, so I’m hoping everyone can make it out for this once in a lifetime event.    Here are the particulars:

Date: Monday, April 1^st, 2024
Time: 2130hrs – 2230hrs
Location: Table Rock – 6650 Niagara River Parkway, Niagara Falls
Dress: Cadets- C1A, Officers 1A
 
Form up for photos will happen at approx 2200hrs (Illumination happens at this time).   The Squadron is encouraged to bring a banner as well.

5. Senior NCO Development Day – CANCELED for Saturday, 06 April 2024:

Due to conflicting activities within NAG, the senior NCO Development Day has been cancelled for 2023/24 and will be conducted in the fall.   More information to follow

6. Area Directed Activity – CFB Borden – 20APR2024:

All the Air units and both Sea units in Niagara will be attending an Area Directed Activity in CFB Borden on 20APR24.   Transportation and lunch will be provided.    Cadets will be participating in sports, touring the base museum, visiting the Military Police academy and having a tour of the base fire department.   All cadets in the unit are able to attend.   More information to follow as we get closer to the date.

7. Exercise “Allied Spirit” – Spring FTX w/ 62 Phantom Squadron – Chippewa Creek Conservation Area – 10-12MAY2024:

We’re happy to announce that 809 Newark Squadron will be partnering up with 62 Phantom Squadron to conduct Exercise Allied Spirit – a joint Field Training Exercise (FTX) 10-12MAY2024.    This will be a mandatory training session.   Cadets will be instructed in several different aspects of Aircrew Survival.   More information to follow

8. Gliding – Morning of 18MAY2024 – Welland Airport:

We’re excited to share with you that Gliding will be picking back up this spring.   809 Squadron is slated for this activity on Saturday, 18MAY2024 in the morning.    Cadets will get the opportunity to fly in a glider, and possilby also a tow plane.   They’ll be able to assist ground crew with the glider.    This is one of the most sought after activities for an Air Cadet.   Don’t pass on this opportunity.  More details as we get closer to the date.

9. Bottle Drop Off – Saturday 25MAY2024:

Our final bottle drop off of the year is on Saturday 25MAY2024.  This is a major fundraiser for the unit and all members are required to attend.    Cadets, bring your parents, siblings and friends to help out. It’s a lot of work as well, and the more people we have helping out, the easier the job will be.

We depend greatly on the funds that these bottle drop offs provide.  In order to keep the program free we need everyone, including cadets, parents, staff and SSC members, to provide some sweat equity.

More details to follow as we get closer to the date

10. End of Year Trip – Ottawa – Tentatively 31MAY2024 – 02JUN2024:

Another great opportunity that we’re working on.   This year we are planning a trip to Ottawa from Friday 31MAY2024 – Sunday 02JUN2024.   This activity is for the entire squadron.   Details are still being finalized and will be provided as we get closer to the date.

11. Annual Awards Banquet – Friday 07JUN2024:

When: Friday, June 7th. 1830hrs – 2130hrs
Where: TBD
Dress: Business Formal (jacket, shirt, tie – Males, Dress outfit – Females)
Who: all cadets, staff, SSC & guests
Cost:
Cadets and Staff are Free
Parents/Siblings and guests TBD (usually about $25.00 per person)

This is a chance where we get together and celebrate our training year as a unit, and also with our guests (parents, guardians, siblings, etc).

12. Annual Ceremonial Review (ACR) & Squadron Change of Command (COC) Ceremony– Saturday 08JUN2024:

When: Saturday, June 8
Time: Cadets & Staff: 0800hrs
Parents & guests: Seated for 1045hrs – Parade Starts 1100hrs
Where: Squadron HQ
Dress: Cadets C1A, Officers: 1A, Other Staff & Guests: Business Formal
 
This is a mandatory event for all cadets, staff and SSC.  

This day is a formal parade where you get the opportunity to show your guests what you’ve done this year.    This is a formal military parade where awards will be presented, promotions will be made, presentations will be made to the unit and displays, such as our new Flight Simulator, will be available for viewing by your guests, and guests of the unit.   It’s a celebration of our training year.

This year, we’ll be incorporating the Cadet Change of Command parade.    This will be the formal handover of the unit from our current SWO to the incoming SWO for the 2024-25 training year.

13. Fish Fry:

The legion is looking for volunteers to take part in service duties for Fish Fry on Thursday nights.    This is not a cadet activity, but you can earn time towards your community service hours for high school decoration.   All interested parties are to reach out to Ms Kathleen Kells by email.   Include your phone number, cell phone number she can text to, and any dates that you cannot help out.   Ms Kell’s email is ktkells@gmail.com