The Fisher Royal Canadian Air Cadets Squadron (RCACS) #158 will be seeing a number of its cadets graduate from the program next month and it’s welcoming to its ranks new recruits who want to learn how to fly.
The squadron will be celebrating the achievements of its cadets next month with a parade and banquet.
Dwight Nahuliak, chair of 158 RCACS’ parents committee, said air cadet numbers took a bit of a tumble during the COVID pandemic when the squadron went from being “on site to online,” but has taken off again.
“Because of COVID, squadrons right across Canda suffered dramatically. With the online format, it didn’t work very well. It was like having your kids trying to learn to play hockey online,” said Nahuliak, who sits on a number of community boards in Fisher Branch. “In the last two years since the end of COVID, though, we’ve actually made a nice rebound and our numbers are climbing again. It’s looking good now.”
During COVID, the squadron had about half a dozen kids, but have seen a jump in numbers to 19 kids at present.
The Fisher squadron was formed in 1989 after about 10 years of being part of the RCACS #182 Stefnufastur Squadron in Gimli.
“When the Fisher squadron first started up around 1980, we would take the kids from Fisher Branch and bus them to Gimli once a week,” said Nahuliak. “We did that for the first decade or so until 1990 when we branched off from 182 Gimli and formed 158 Fisher.”
The air cadets program is open to kids aged 12 to 18. The program runs from September to June. Kids from Fisher Branch and surrounding communities train at the Gimli Airport or at summer camps offered in other provinces.
The Fisher RCACS’ commanding officer Crystal Wiebe said they don’t train in Gimli over the summer, but Fisher cadets can travel to other provinces to enhance their glider training or do other cadet courses, depending on what their interests are.
“There is a sports and fitness program offered, a drill program, which focuses on parade-type activities, a marksmanship training program with an air rifle and a program where they can learn to become instructors,” said Wiebe, who is in her third year as commanding officer. “The camps are run by the cadet program and kids are able to go to these camps free of charge.”
Students interested in flying can earn their glider pilot licence in Manitoba, she said. And that can open up opportunities for a future career.
“If they’re interested in a career in aviation, the cadet program definitely gives them a step in the right direction,” she said. “The Fisher program had a cadet who recently became a commercial pilot.”
Cadets is a youth development program that not only teaches kids practical skills such as flying and shooting, but also soft skills that are transferable to any workplace.
“Over the whole program, kids are learning leadership skills, discipline and learning to deal with peer conflicts,” said Wiebe. “Having cadets training will help with other careers because they learn how to work as a team and how to lead a group in different tasks.”
The Fisher cadets squadron is currently looking for adult staff to volunteer with the program, she said. And there are a number of paid positions as well.
Nahuliak said upcoming banquet will recognize and celebrate the achievements of cadets in the squadron.
“And at the end of each season, cadets who’ve finished specific courses and completed certain levels are promoted. Along with that we have some guest speakers and an annual parade. We’re having Department of National Defence commanding officers from Winnipeg come out to do a walk-around the parade square where the kids will be in uniform and placed in their ranks,” said Nahuliak. “Afterwards, we’ll be having supper.”
The 158 Fisher Air Cadets Squadron is holding its annual parade, banquet and awards on Saturday, June 8 at the Ukrainian National Home (hall) in Fisher Branch.
The parade outdoors (weather permitting) is open to the public. But people have to purchase tickets two weeks in advance for the banquet, which will feature a meal of turkey, meatballs, ham, cabbage rolls, vegetables and more.
To purchase a banquet ticket, call Dwight Nahuliak at (204) 739-8065.
For more information on how to become a cadet and join the Fisher squadron, how to volunteer with the program or inquire about paid positions, call Crystal Wiebe at (204) 698-1386.
