Draft:58 Air Commodore A. Dwight Ross, GC, CBE, CD Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron

58 Air Commodore A. Dwight Ross, GC, CBE, CD Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron (commonly referred to as '58 Air Cadets', is an air cadet squadron located within Canadian Forces Base Kingston in Kingston, Ontario. The squadron is currently sponsored by 416 Earl Godfrey Wing of the Royal Canadian Air Force Association, which has been the official unit sponsor since 1949. Prior to this, the unit was funded by various local businesses, and from 1941-1944 was sponsored by Kingston Kiwanis.

A Busy and Proud Squadron
Over the years, the Squadron has been involved in numerous activities including dances, bush stomps, and swim nights, gliding and flying, games club, first aid, sports, and Ontario-wide competitions in drill, range, first aid and sports. Community events also include the Battle of Britain Parade; Remembrance Day Parade; Food drives and March of Dimes Parade.

Ever on the move, there have been trips to Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Niagara Falls, North Bay and even to Dwight Patterson Air Force Base in the United States and even an inter-provincial exchange to Nipawin, Saskatchewan. Training includes leadership, drill, sports, flying scholarship, citizenship, and, at one time, even a para-rescue course.

58 Squadron is still one of the most active cadet organizations in Ontario. Its roots are deep into the community and its staff and sponsor continues to strive to instill in youth a sense of pride and self-discipline. Such goals serve to support the Air Cadet movement's aims of developing in youth the attributes of good citizenship and leadership and promoting physical fitness. This is best embodied in the Air Cadet motto:"'TO LEARN, TO SERVE, TO ADVANCE'"

Early Years
58 Kingston Air Cadet Squadron was organized by local residents Alex Wakeling and Sheldon Cohen. Wakeling became the Squadron's first Commanding Officer when it received its charter in 1941. In its early years, the Squadron paraded twice a week at the Kingston Collegiate and Vocational Institute and held its first Annual Ceremonial Review (ACR) at City Park on May 19, 1942. At that time, the unit had approximately 50 cadets and was sponsored by the Kingston Kiwanis.

The early training program consisted of drill, aircraft recognition, navigation, range, signals, first aid and mathematics. One of the highlights of those early years was an appearance by Canada's hottest WWII ace, George "Buzz" Burling, who visited in February, 1943.

In 1944, the Squadron faced a temporary setback with the loss of both its sponsor and headquarters. Wakeling and Cohen intervened, and soon the Squadron was relocated to the V.R. Armouries on Montreal Street. As for sponsorship, the two canvassed local business people, presenting a vision for a post-war program based on citizenship and leadership training. These have remained the cornerstones of the Squadron's approach since.

Other members of the community who assumed the position of Commanding Officer included Flight Officer Pat Travers, Lieutenant Joe Desent and Flight Lieutenant Gordon Sage, but it was Flight Lieutenant (later promoted to Squadron Leader) Lorne Haunt's succession to Commanding Officer in 1949 and acquisition of a permanent sponsor, 416 Wing Royal Canadian Air Force Association which marked the beginning of twenty stable but active years for 58 Squadron.

The 1950's & 1960's
During this time, summer camps, previously held at the Kingston Airport, were moved to Canadian Forces Base Trenton, a more central location. Other camps also opened, offering the cadets a variety of training in places like Borden and Aylmer, Ontario; Bagotville, Quebec and Greenwood, Nova Scotia. 58 Squadron cadets also took part in two Royal Visits, Flying Scholarship training, and Exchange Visits with other cadets from abroad.

Locally, the Squadron participated in an extensive sports program, which included a team in the city's hockey league and a yearly grudge match against the local Sea Cadet Corps.

In 1969, Captain Jim Sheridan succeeded Major Haunts. Under his leadership, the training program was modified to allow the cadets themselves greater input into the Squadron's future.

The 1970's & 1980's
By 1974, there were two more changes in leadership: Captain Don Crawford and Captain Dave Logsdail. Captain Logsdail held two distinctions: not only was he the youngest Commanding Officer in Ontario, he was also the first ex-cadet to hold the position.

It was during Captain Logsdail's tenure in 1976 that female recruits first joined the organization. In 1981, Captain Steve Heyman became Commanding Officer, the second ex-cadet to do so. It was during this time that the Squadron changed its name. 58 Kingston Squadron became 58 Air Commodore A. Dwight Ross GC CBE CD Squadron in honour of a WWII hero, a King George Cross recipient and staunch supporter of Air Cadets and 58 Squadron.

In 1985 the Squadron saw its first female Commanding Officer, who was Captain Marilyn Lilienthal, and in 1986 Captain Jerry Wiaz, assumed command.

During Capt. Wiaz's tenure, the band was reborn in 1988 and has won numerous finishes in Santa parades and has participated in cadet band competitions. Some of our band members have gone to participate in National Cadet Tattoos

The 1990's
In 1991 the Squadron celebrated its 50th anniversary and invited all the Squadrons in EOA to help celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Air Cadets in holding a massive Parade through downtown Kingston.

The Squadron has won two provincial awards, first the Lord Strathcona Trust Trophy in 1991 third highest in Ontario, and second the George Moir Award in 1992 and a regional award an Honourable Mention in 1993. Also, in 1991 the new cadet level training was introduced. In 1992 Dara Price, from 58 Squadron, became the first female in Canada to the top Senior Leaders Course in Cold Lake, Alberta.

In 1993, Capt. Al Stewart the 13th Commanding Officer assumed leadership of the squadron, and has since been promoted to Major. During his short tenure the squadron has relocated from Artillery Park to Thompson Drill Hall at CFB Kingston. The squadron has won its second regional award an Honourable Mention in 1994, 1995.

In 1996, Capt. Wiaz once again assumed command of the Squadron and has since been promoted to Major and the Squadron won another Honourable Mention for 1996. The Squadron placed first overall in (EOA) Eastern Ontario Area Exertion Competition for 1996 and 1997 and won the Exertion Drill Competition for 1996 and 1997, which entitled us to compete in the Provincial Band and Drill Competition held at CFB Borden in 1997. Beyond anyone’s expectations the Squadron won the Provincial Drill Competition, this is a first in the Squadrons= history.

In 1997 at the General Meeting of the Ontario Provincial Committee, the Squadron was awarded the Air Transport Command Trophy for the second highest proficiency in Ontario. In March of 1998, at the Regional Band Competition, held at CFB Kingston, the Squadron band won the competition. And a week later, at the first ever Tri-Service Air Rifle Zone Competition held in Kingston, the Squadron rifle team won the zone competition and then placed third in the provincial competition in Ottawa.

In April 1998 at the Annual Exertion Competition the Squadron won the overall trophy and the drill portion of the competition. Allowing the drill team to proceed onto the Provincial competition held at CFB Borden. And in October at the OPC Conference in Toronto the squadron was again awarded the Air Transport Command Trophy for the second highest proficiency in Ontario. (Back to back)

The 2000's - Present Day
In May 2003, after 30 years of service both as a cadet and then as a CIC officer, Capt. Jack Osborne took over as Commanding Officer from Maj. Wiaz. In 2004, the Squadron saw the birth of it’s fledgling Pipe & Drum band. The following year, in April 2005, the Pipe & Drum band along with the Squadron Brass & Reed band, competed in the Eastern Ontario Region band competition held at CFB Kingston. Both bands placed first in each of their respective categories, earning them the right to compete at the Provincial competition held in May at CFB Trenton. This same year, the Squadron Exertion team competed at the Provincial level taking first place. 2005 also marked the Squadron's organization and participation in the first annual "First Capital Cadet Tattoo". This event was the brainchild of Capt Osborne and two former 58 Air Cadets, Capt Kevin Offord and CI David Peterson. The tattoo was a great success and lead to the 2nd annual All Elements Cadet Tattoo, held at Fort Henry National HIstoric Site. This second event had cadets participate from as far away as Capreol, north of Sudbury Ontario.

In June 2006 Capt. Tom Watson assumed command from Capt. Jack Osborne. Capt Watson looks forward to keeping the history alive within 58 Squadron, and is happy to be heading what he refers to as " A family of staff and cadets".