Air Cadets celebrate affiliation with Military Police

Participants in the cadet mess dinner proudly display the Military Police Branch flag

submitted

The aims of the cadet program are to develop leadership and citizenship, promote physical fitness, and stimulate an interest in the activities of the Canadian Armed Forces. 859 Crowsnest Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets has become the first air cadet squadron in Canada to affiliate with the Military Police Branch of the Canadian Armed Forces. In this case, the cadet squadron’s affiliated unit is 1 Military Police Squadron of the RCAF Military Police Group, located at 4 Wing Cold Lake AB.

Capt Baskerville (left) presents FSgt Smith with the Military Police Branch flag

Through a closer relationship, the cadet squadron will better identify with and share pride in the affiliated unit’s activities and traditions. 859 Squadron, whose cadets hail from both Crowsnest Pass and Pincher Creek, enjoyed a mess dinner on Saturday, February 1 to formally recognize their affiliation with the Military Police. A mess dinner is a military tradition whereby personnel and guests enjoy good food in a formal, elegant setting. The dinner was hosted at Country Encounters in Coleman, and the guest of honour was Captain Baskerville from the affiliated unit in Cold Lake. Flight Sergeant Smith, 859 Squadron’s most senior cadet, acted as master of ceremonies.

Mr Wayne Shaw (Bellevue Legion, left) presents a donation to Ms Trisha Smith (Squadron Sponsor Committee Chair) and FSgt Nigal Smith (Squadron Warrant Officer)

The previous Saturday, January 25th, the cadets held a sports day that included heating and consuming ration pack meals outside in the winter cold. Although the ration packs can be quite tasty, the cadets were nonetheless happy to enjoy a formal dinner indoors this time around. Representatives from the Royal Canadian Legions, RCMP, Calgary Highlanders and Squadron Sponsoring Committee attended the mess dinner as well. Piper Bill Plant lent an additional air of formality to the evening by “piping in” the members of the head table for the dinner. Captain Baskerville had earlier in the day taken time to explain the workings of his patrol car. During the mess dinner he explained the role and capabilities of the Military Police and presented the cadets with a Military Police Branch flag. The Bellevue branch of the Royal Canadian Legion also took the opportunity to present a generous donation to the Squadron Sponsoring Committee.

Cadets from 859 Crowsnest Military Police Squadron display their new Military Police Branch flag

Finally, to close the evening’s festivities, Cadet E. Morrow and Flight Corporals C. Lincez and W. VanBuskirk received their bronze fitness level qualifications, Cadets J. Gray and E. Morrow received promotions in rank to Leading Air Cadet, and Corporal S. Bannick received a promotion in rank to Flight Corporal.