Our Roots In Germany

856 Rhine Valley RC(Air)CS was originally formed in Baden-Soelingen on the Rhine River in Germany in 1970. We are one of the few Air Cadet Squadrons to have been active overseas. The Squadron was formed as a second flight to 800 Black Forest RC(Air)CS, which was based in Lahr, Germany. Our Squadron Banner is the original banner from 856 Rhine Valley.

With the return of the eight Canadian Forces regular squadrons to Canada from deployment in Europe (four squadrons from Lahr and four squadrons from Baden) and with the decommissioning of the Canadian Forces Wings in Germany in 1993, 856 Rhine Valley Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron was stood down.

Reforming in Pickering

During the early to mid 1990's, interest and enrollment in the Air Cadet Movement in Durham Region was growing. With the only Air Cadet Squadron in the Region (151 Chadburn Squadron, Oshawa) at Wing strength (2 Squadrons, 200+ cadets), the formation of a new Squadron in Durham was imperative.

The Ontario Provincial Committee (OPC) of the Air Cadet League of Canada (ACLC) began the search for interested Air Cadet Officers who were willing to take on the job of forming a new Squadron. The search was successful, and the Forming Committee was created, consisting of: Major Colette Blight (Commanding Officer, 110 Squadron), Captain Michael Neujahr (Commanding Officer, 330 Squadron), Second Lieutenant Marc DeCock (Administration Officer, 110 Squadron), together with former Air Cadet Officer Mr. John Nolan (Major, retired). There were many things to do, and an action plan was drafted outlining the key factors required in order to form a new Squadron. They included:

a) Finding a local sponsor or sponsors willing to assume funding and support for a newly formed unit;

b) Determining in which city/town the unit would be formed (this also influenced the sponsorship as clubs are area or territory controlled);

c) Possible names for consideration as first Commanding Officer;

d) Formulating a list of potential cadets (as the OPC needed a list proving the need for a unit within the area selected); and

e) Locating a suitable training area for the new unit.

The Kinsmen/Kinette Club of Pickering immediately responded to the call for sponsorship. Pickering was an obvious choice for the Squadron's location, as the youth population was rapidly growing and interest for an air cadet unit was high. In July 1998 the squadron was again stood up under the sponsorship of the Pickering Kinsmen Club.

With our sponsors in place and a listing of potential cadets, an application was submitted to the OPC detailing the Forming Committee's progress. The deactivation of 800 and 856 squadrons resulted in both numbers becoming available once again. All squadrons in the regular forces take their numbering from a block of numbers assigned to various countries in the British Commonwealth (with Canada assigned numbers 400-450 and Australia 451-500 etc.). The numbers in the 800 series are usually reserved for naval air squadrons in Great Britain and the Commonwealth.

The Air Cadets do not follow the same protocol and began with #1 Squadron Montreal in 1941, through to the 900 series throughout the country. As squadrons stand down, their number is held in a pool and reassigned to newly formed squadrons. With the permission of the OPC, the new squadron was referred to as 856 Pickering Kinsmen Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron.

The action plan was progressing well. During the summer of 1998, the Forming Committee was advised of Major Don Duthie's willingness to assume the role of Commanding Officer of the new squadron. The Squadron received its charter from the Air Cadet League of Canada in September 1998.

The Squadron Sponsoring Committee (SSC) was established, consisting of members of the Kinsmen Club and parents of cadets transferring to the new squadron. The first SSC included Mr. John Nolan (Chair), Mr. Ken Poyner (Vice Chair and Kinsmen member), Mrs. Donna Davidson (Treasurer and parent of cadet), Mr. Ken Winfrow (Kinsmen member), Mr. Dan Hutt (Kinsmen member) and Mr. Peter Johannes (parent of cadet.) The SSC set out on the challenging task of finding a location for the possible influx of new cadets. Many locations were considered and rejected. Finally, the City of Pickering allowed the squadron the use of the Don Beer Sports Rink's banquet room. In the fall of 1998, even though the facility was small, an introductory open house was held. Not surprisingly, a large number of new and transferring cadets (a total of 123) applied to become members of 856 Squadron that evening!

The First Year

Supplies were limited in the first year, but the Forming Committee worked diligently prior to the beginning of the training year to ensure that both training and administration were up to speed. Borrowing from neighbouring squadrons, creating their own manuals, assessment forms and lesson plans and establishing a challenging and interesting schedule in short order proved a daunting task. Moreover, working with a diverse and experienced staff (three former commanding officers were joined by a fourth when Captain Ray Howells came on board in the second training year) was equally challenging, as each came to the squadron with their own goals and priorities, based on their previous squadron's traditions and standards. This proved very beneficial, since it allowed the staff to experiment and combine previous practices, with the result that the squadron tested new approaches and began to develop its own identity early on.

The squadron's first external competition consisted of the Toronto Area Sports Competition held at CFB Borden in the fall of 1998 - this set the foundation of excellence in sports that our unit enjoys today. The team of cadets represented 856 Squadron well, walking away with four of five gold medals!

The squadron ended its first year on a high note, parading over 100 cadets at its annual review and receiving the top first year squadron award at the OPC Annual General Meeting in the fall of 1999.

The Squadron Crest & Motto

A design competition for a squadron crest was held in 2001,  with several cadets actively participating. After reviewing  several semi-finalists' submissions, Sgt. Kirsten Johannes'  artwork was judged as the winning entry.

 Sgt. Johannes incorporated the old Rhine Valley design, replacing the stylized German eagle with one indigenous to   the Pickering area and superimposing the Peregrine Falcon  over the Canadian Maple Leaf, which sits over a ribbon  depicting Germany's flag. A squadron competition was then  held to select the squadron's motto, with over fifty mottos  submitted for consideration. WO1 Benjamin Nasmith  submitted the winning entry.

Facts About The Crest

 Peregrine Falcon - The Peregrine Falcon is the world's   swiftest bird, currently on the endangered list in Canada and in many places in the United States. This bird of prey is a marvelous, swift-winged predator. Interesting to note, peregrine means coming from another region or country.

Maple Leaf - Canada's official emblem representing our Canadian background.

German Flag - Represents our history. The Squadron was first formed in Germany at a Canadian Forces Base in Baden. Once the base closed, the Squadron was disbanded.

Once the crest design and motto were selected, Pine Ridge Arts Council of Pickering was contacted to fine-tune the graphic. After a few adjustments, both the crest and motto were submitted to the Air Cadet League of Canada for approval.

The crest pictured above is located in the COs Office and was painted by: WO2 Loney, FSgt Burke, FSgt Harper, Sgt Passmore, Maj Blight, OCdt Lassalle during the 2006-2007 Training Year.

Training Locations

As the first couple of years passed, the Squadron continued to grow. Eventually, the Don Beer Sports Rink could no longer serve as an effective training location for the Squadron, and a search for a new location was started. Thanks again to the Pickering Kinsmen/Kinette Club, a more suitable, and larger location was found at the East Shore Community Centre. The Squadron began parading at this new location in 2000.

Changes of Command

The Squadron has conducted two Changes of Command over the years. The first was in the fall of 2000, when Major D. Duthie turned command of the Squadron to Major C.M. Blight. Around the same time, Mr. Ken Winfrow assumed the Chair of the SSC from Mr. John Nolan, who then became the Squadron's second OPC Director, assuming that role from Mr. Frank Charbonneau.

Our second Change of Command occurred in November of 2006, when Major C.M. Blight turned command of the Squadron over to Major. F.G. Charbonneau.

November 12, 2008 Major Charbonneau stepped down as CO of 856 Squadron and Major Blight assumed command. Major Charbonneau remains with the Squadron as DCO and Trg O.

Squadron Achievements

In the years since its inception, the squadron has won numerous awards for excellence in training and community service. Air Cadet League awards presented to our squadron include:

- Top New Squadron in Ontario (1998-1999)

- Excellence in Training and Community Service (1999-2000)

- Excellence in Community Service (2000-2001)

- Top Sponsoring Body for York, Scarborough and Durham Regions (2000-2001 and 2001-2002)

- Lord Strathcona Trust for Top Squadron in Central Ontario (2001-2002)

- Doug Whitley Award for Top Provincial Graduate Flying Scholarship Course (2002 and 2003)

- Excellence in Training (2002-2003)

- Lord Strathcona Trust Primary for Third Top Squadron in Ontario, Top in Central Ontario (2003-2004)

- The Jud Armstrong Award for Top National Graduate Air Traffic Control Course (2004-2005)

- Lord Strathcona Trust Primary for Fourth Top Squadron in Ontario, Top in Central Ontario (2004-2005)

- Dr. George Westman Trophy, Top Squadron in Ontario (2005-2006)

Professionalism, excellence in performance, and dedication define 856 Pickering Kinsmen Squadron. The cadets continually strive and achieve goals together, working as a solid team. To date, the squadron has graduated seven cadets who are currently enrolled in, or have graduated from, the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ontario. In addition, numerous cadets have gone on to achieve success in other post-secondary and professional endeavours, many of whom are in the aeronautical or aerospace sectors.

The squadron continues to parade over 100 cadets, with an active staff of over 20 officers and civilian instructors. Finally, the squadron continues to enjoy the support of the Pickering Kinsmen/Kinette Club, with several members actively participating in the Sponsoring Committee.