243 OGOPOGO RCACS
(Kelowna)
SPONSORING COMMITTEE:
The Air Cadet League of Canada 243 Kelowna Sponsoring Committee
COMMITTEE CHAIR:
Warren Mullins
COMMITTEE EMAIL ADDRESS:
chair@243air.com
COMMITTEE MAILING ADDRESS:
PO Box 21037, Orchard Park Postal Outlet, Kelowna, BC, V1Y 9N8
COMMANDING OFFICER:
Capt David Rojas
PARADE LOCATION:
2704 East Kelowna Road, Kelowna
PARADE NIGHT:
Wednesday
PARADE TIME:
SQUADRON TELEPHONE:
N/A
SQUADRON EMAIL:
243air@cadets.gc.ca
WEBSITE:
https://www.243air.com/
SQUADRON HISTORY:
243 Ogopogo RCACS in Kelowna was formed on December 18, 1942, and re-established on March 29, 1963.
243 Ogopogo Squadron has a long and varied history. The Squadron was originally formed on 18 December 1942. Little is known about the Squadron history just after World War II, however records show they were a very active Squadron but unfortunately quarters became no longer available and the Squadron had to be disbanded in the 1950’s. Re-established on 29 March 1963, Mr. Gordon Gray, Mr. Arthur Hughes-Games, and Mr. Bill (Butch) Cleaver were instrumental in getting the Squadron going again from offices in the local Legion. A total of 12 young men turned up at the initial parade. How times have changes, as we can now boast we have over 50 young men and women in this Squadron.
In 1983, eight individuals with past Royal Canadian Air Force Associations got together to form 883 (Kelowna) Wing of the RCAF Association, with one of its main objectives being to take on sponsorship of the local Air Cadet Squadron. In September 2011, the Parents Auxiliary of the Squadron took over the position of the Squadron Sponsoring Committee. The Squadron paraded at the Kelowna Armouries for many years, but left in 2004. Since that time, the Squadron has been to various locations, and is currently parading at the East Kelowna Community Hall.