Category Archives: DCO’s Corner

DCO’s Corner – We’re Back!

Welcome back, 809. After a long absence it looks like we’re on the verge of doing in person training once again. So, make sure your hair is cut, your uniform fits and your boots are polished cause here we go.  

So,  as always, here are some important dates in history for this week (and also from earlier this past summer): 

1/ September 11, 2001 – 911 20th Anniversary

(From the Canadian Armed Forces facebook page)
September 11, 2001 will always be remembered as a day of tragedy, which claimed nearly 3,000 lives, including 24 Canadians. But it was also a day when Canadians demonstrated the kindness, generosity and resilience of the human spirit.
In the aftermath of the deadly attacks, Canada activated Operation Yellow Ribbon to divert flights and clear the airspace throughout Canada.
The town of Gander, Newfoundland, was a key part of the efforts. Thirty-eight flights and nearly 6,600 passengers were diverted to 9 Wing Gander, which handled security, transportation, telecommunications, and the unloading of aircraft. Meanwhile, Residents of the town also jumped into action and helped in any way they could. They donated food, provided bedding, created shelters, and even welcomed passengers into their homes.
In 2016, New Yorkers thanked the residents of Gander for their help and gifted the town with a piece of steel from the World Trade Center’s south tower. Passengers also donated their mementos from Gander to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.
20 years after 9/11 – #WeRemember. We will #NeverForget

May be an image of airplane and sky

2/ Battle of Britain Sunday – Sunday, September 18

“Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few” – Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of Great Britain, 20 August, 1940

Every year, on the third Sunday of September,  the RCAF celebrates Battle of Britain Sunday to commemorate the victory over the Luftwaffe in the skies of England.    We also recognize the loss of Canadian lives during the conflict.     It was a great moment for our Air Force. 

More information regarding the origins of the Battle of Britain ceremony can be found at this link:

  The origins of the Battle of Britain ceremony – Skies Mag

3/ CJCR Has a new Commander – Welcome Brigadier-General Jamie Speiser-Blanchet

809 Sqn would like to welcome Air Force Brigadier-General Jamie Spieser-Blanchet as the new commander of the Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers.  General Spieser-Blanchet assumed command on June 30, 2021 from outgoing commander, Navy Commodore Josee Kurtz.  To Commodore Kurtz, good luck in your new assignment as  Commandant and Vice-Chancellor of Royal Military College of Canada (RMC). 

That’s all for this week.   For the instructors, see you all virtually on Wednesday.    For everyone else, I hope to see you during your uniform exchanges.     

2Lt Couroux.

DCO’s Corner

Welcome back everyone.
What a couple of weeks…..We had some ups: CAP, the 80th Anniversary of the Air Cadet League and the 97th birthday of the RCAF.

And we had some downs: The passing of Prince Philip, loosing one of our past CO’s – Capt Brian Howard, the 104th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge (the last one could be both an up or down, I guess)

I hope everyone that participated in the CAP had a great experience. There was definitely plenty to do and I’m looking forward to hearing all about it.

The passing Capt Howard was definitely a sad note. I’ve never met him, but I hear lots of great things from the CIC members who have. Sorry I never had the chance to meet you, sir.

There are a couple of items to bring up for this upcoming week:

1/ April 22 is the 6th birthday of the combining of the RCSU’s (Regional Cadet Support Units) and the CJCR (Cadets & Jr Canadian Rangers) under the umbrella of the Vice Chief of Defense Staff. Check it out:


2/ This week is National Volunteer Week. So let’s give a shout out to the members of the SCC and also to CV Couroux, all of whom are volunteers with the squadron. Thanks for your efforts. To the staff members, we get paid, however, we still volunteered to take these duties on, thanks for your efforts. Finally, to you, the cadets. Thanks for volunteering to join the squadron. You’re what this program is all about. We couldn’t do this without any of you. Here’s a note from Commodore Kurtz.


That’s everything for now. I’m looking forward to seeing you all during training this week.

OCdt Couroux
DCO – 809 Newark RCACS
“Immortal”

DCO’s Corner 04APR21 – Cadet Advisory Council & Virtual Summer Courses

Happy Easter 809,

I’ll be publishing a new column on a weekly basis to offset the WRO’s published by Capt. Lemoine.   I’ll try to find some cool items that include training, some history, and some opportunities that may be coming down the pipe that you may like to hear about.

To start, I’d like to take this opportunity to let you know that there’s still going to be some exciting summer opportunities this year even though in person training has been cancelled.   Check these options out and let us know if you’d like to take part:

Cadet Advisory Council

This summer, Cadets Canada will be creating a Cadet Advisory Council. This is a chance for you, a senior cadet, to influence the direction that the program will be heading in the future. 3 cadets will be chosen per RCSU to take part in the program. Check out the video below, along with the info link and let us know if you’d like to take part. The sooner the better please as I don’t believe that the spots will be available for long.

For more information:
Cadet Advisory Council – Information

 

Virtual Summer Training:

There is a wide variety of virtual training courses that are being offered for 2021.  With a combination of instructor led, and self paced courses, cadets will be able to earn qualifications, learn new skills, and connect with friends across Canada.   All of the courses will be operated on a new platform called CADET365.   More on this later.   

Here’s a list of what is going to be available:

Qualification Courses:

  • Virtual Basic Aviation
  • Virtual Advanced Aviation
  • Virtual Aerospace
  • Virtual Airport Operations
  • Virtual Survival
  • Virtual Military Band – Basic, Intermediate & Advanced
  • Virtual Pipes and Drums – Basic, Intermediate & Advanced
  • Virtual Cadet Correspondent
  • Introduction to Fitness & Sports
  • Virtual Coaching
  • Virtual Instructional Techniques
  • Effective Communication

Non-Qualification Courses:

  • Cadet Cyber Training

If you’re interested in these courses and would like more info, please check out this link and then let us know.  

Virtual Cadet summer training courses – Canada.ca

More new items will be posted on a weekly basis.   Now, go enjoy your Easter and we’ll see you on Wednesday night.

Regards,

OCDT Couroux.

“Immortal”