Air Cadets get new leader

The 908 Rainy Lake Air Cadets held a change-of-command ceremony last Wednesday in the Memorial Sports Centre auditorium.
Second Lt. Blaine Frenette, who has led the squadron since its inception last year, stepped down as commanding officer. Following in his footsteps was Second Lt. Kevin Elliott, who most recently was the squadron training officer.
The ceremony, which included an inspection of cadets and the promotion of Second Lt. Elliott to a commanding officer, was conducted by Capt. Jeff MacLellan, area cadet officer, Cadet Support Unit, Winnipeg.
In civilian life, Second Lt. Elliott is a licensed commercial pilot with the Ministry of Natural Resources here.
Frenette, meanwhile, is completing his studies to become a school teacher. He’s been placed on the cadet officer reserve list pending his return to active duty at a later date.
Special guests at last Wednesday night’s ceremony included members of the Royal Canadian Legion Br. #29, Northwestern Air Cadet liaison Arend Visser, and Capt. Carol Stanley of the 600 Starfighter Squadron of Atikokan.
For Visser, the occasion marked another milestone in the development of the local squadron, which was formed a year ago and currently boasts 33 cadets.
Some of them already have earned promotion as non-commissioned officers while others have participated in flying familiarization and in visits to other cadet units in Northwestern Ontario.
A well-prepared contingent of local air cadets will compete in the Air Cadet League of Canada (NWO) public speaking contest this spring in Thunder Bay, and are expected to compete strongly for several coveted awards.
The local Air Cadets meet every Wednesday from 6:30-9:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Memorial Sports Centre, except during the months of July and August.
Anyone aged 12-18 interested in joining the 908 Rainy Lake Squadron is asked to contact Second Lt. Elliott (274-2360) or present yourself for registration during any of the Wednesday meetings at the Memorial Sports Centre.