Three graduating air cadets formally recognized for community service

In June, 337 “Allan Troup” Squadron will hold its annual review at the Fort Erie Leisureplex, where senior air cadets are set to graduate from the program. Captain Harold K. Sully, the squadron commanding officer, told Fort Erie Radio the ceremony will recognize three cadets who have received several awards for their work and training in the community.

Caleb Browne, a Warrant Officer First Class, plans to attend Niagara College for Police Foundations after acceptance to the program. Browne is an honour student at Greater Fort Erie Secondary School and has worn a uniform since age nine, first as a Navy League cadet, then as an air cadet after he aged out.

Browne served last summer at Blackdown Training Centre at the Canadian Forces Base in Borden, Ontario as a senior staff cadet, a role Sully described as unusual for a first-year staff season.

Browne served as company sergeant major for the survival wing at Blackdown, a role that put him in charge of cadets on course in that area.

“Everything from an emergency response plan to weather contingencies, he handled things a lot of adults do not even think of,” said Sully.

A return to Blackdown is planned this summer, with Browne seeking the top cadet appointment, regimental sergeant major, which sits beside the commanding officer in staff meetings and manages staff cadets and course cadets across a training centre.

Jacqueline Mason, a Warrant Officer Second Class, plans to pursue training toward a career as a firefighter. Mason is an honour student at Greater Fort Erie Secondary School, competes on the school cheer and track teams and holds cadet instruction roles.

Blackdown last summer included service as an instructor for an advanced aviation course while she held the rank of sergeant.

“You can set your watch by her hair, she never looks like she just rolled out of bed and put her uniform on,” said Sully.

Mason joined the squadron at 14, and served as a cadet correspondent whose work has appeared in the Fort Erie Observer.

Tanner Robertson, a Warrant Officer Second Class, is still deciding on a post-graduation path and is an honour student at Welland Centennial Secondary and has two older brothers who were air cadets.

Robertson joined the Navy League at nine after following his brothers toward cadets, then later joined 337 Squadron.

“He is very good at making younger cadets feel at ease and explaining why we do things,” said Sully.

Robertson received the Murray Whetung Citation last year for community service through a provincial initiative that recognizes contribution and volunteer hours among army and sea cadets, with the recognition tied to his hours supporting Navy League cadets.

“I am certainly hoping he finds his niche,” said Sully.

Volunteer work continues with the Fort Erie Navy League cadets who range from nine to 11 and meet on Friday nights and some weekends. Robertson and Browne both volunteer to help rebuild local Navy League cadet numbers following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many air cadets arrive from the Navy League, with about half continuing to 337 Squadron and about half moving to army cadets.

Last year the squadron had two retiring cadets, with one leaving with about $9,000 in scholarships through the squadron, the Air Cadet League and private donors, while another left with about $6,000.

A common bursary for graduating cadets runs about $1,000 from the Lions Club of Fort Erie, the unit’s oldest sponsor, with additional support at times from the Legion, the Air Force Association and private sponsors.

The Lions Club has sponsored the squadron since 1943, but fundraising has been more difficult for the Lions as they face lower membership for fundraising and costly projects such as the new retirement facility planned behind the Lions building on High Street, Sully said.

Cadet units across Niagara have faced facility and membership pressures in recent years, including the air cadets in Port Colborne, which recently stood down due to lack of membership, according to Sully.

Welland sea cadets stood down about 10 years ago, while units in Niagara Falls lost their main facility and Thorold has shifted locations multiple times over the past decade, Sully said.

337 Squadron has remained stable with the Lions Club’s sponsorship and access to the Leisureplex facility.

Sully said he was overjoyed with the community feedback his air cadets have received following their volunteer work.

“They said the cadets were so organized, so polite, so willing to help, and it was refreshing compared with teenagers stuck on their phones,” said Sully.

The current youth-led structure of thecadets differs from when Sully was a cadet, when officer staff delivered much of the training.

“The cadet program is all about cadets leading cadets,” said Sully.

Cadet training also includes off-site experiences that are not available through a phone, with the squadron visiting the Winona Training Facility in Grimsby, also known as the Winona Ranges, in the fall.

Sully said some of his cadets were able to get their glider licences and power pilot licences before they reach driving age.

Former Fort Erie air cadet Matt Swan trained in both glider and power flying, took part in an international exchange in Belgium and later attended Royal Military College, then flew for the Air Force and moved into pilot instruction before a posting shift from Moose Jaw to Trenton, according to Sully.

“You are investing in your future self,” said Sully, mentioning that even Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, who will be going to the moon, was an air cadet.

The June annual review will start with a parade-format ceremony followed by a sit-down banquet in the adjacent hall, with families invited as the squadron presents promotions, awards and bursaries to their graduating cadets.

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