222 Shuswap RCACS

SQUADRON HISTORY:

222 Shuswap RCACS in Salmon Arm was formed on November 1, 1993.

Royal Canadian Air Cadets (RCAC) 222 Shuswap Squadron was officially formed in November 1993, through the hard work of Don and Maye Cann, Barry and Rhonda Henry, and Jim Hall.

RCAC 222 Shuswap Squadron takes its name from the Royal Air Force (RAF) 222 Natal Squadron which was originally formed in April 1918, from a Royal Navy Squadron during WWI. At this time, RAF 222 saw action in the Aegean Theatre against Turkish forces. RAF 222 Squadron was then disbanded in February 1919, and reformed in October 1939, at the start of WWII and disbanded again in November 1957. Post WWII saw 222 reformed as a surface to air missile unit from May 1960 to June 1964. Aircraft models flown included the Camel, DH4, and DH9 biplanes during WWI and Blenheim bombers, Spitfires, and Tempests during WWII. Post WWII aircraft consisted of both Meteor and Hunter jets.

When first formed, the Squadron paraded out of J.L. Jackson School with the administration files stored at Lakeside Printing, and the uniforms and other supplies stored in the Henrys’ basement. After parading this way for the first two years, the Squadron moved to the old golf course clubhouse after the new one was constructed. Although it was nice to have the parade space and all supplies in one location, the building was extremely run down and parents would have to mop water off the floors during the wet season prior to the start of each parade. After the clubhouse was demolished, the Squadron was given permission to share the Armoury with the Army Cadets. This was home starting September 1996, until the building was sold by the Department of National Defense (DND). Spring, 2007 saw a move to temporary quarters at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, until larger space was found at South Canoe Centre. Parades began at the school in September, 2007, and ended June 2015.

The Squadron has had seven different Commanding Officers (COs) beginning with OCdt Jim Hall for the first year. He was followed by Lt John Pritchard, who would drive from Lumby to attend to the Squadron the following year. 2Lt Barry Henry became the next CO as he was the only Commissioned Officer on the Squadron slate at the time. 2Lt Henry served three years until June 1998. At this time, three years became the standard term of service for a CO and Lt Don Cann served the first three years, followed by Lt Geri Stewart and then Capt Stephen Rose. Capt Don Cann returned to command for a one-year interim term from which he retired in 2008. June 2011 marked the end of Capt Brad Miller’s three-year term. He was the first CO to have been a former 222 Shuswap cadet. Capt Geri Stewart has now completed her one-year extension of her second three-year term.

In 2007, the Squadron was granted its own Crest which incorporates the Spitfires originally flown by the RAF 222 Squadron, as well as, their motto “Pambili Bo”, which is a Zulu phrase meaning “straight ahead”.