About Us

One of Canada’s original Air Cadet Squadrons

Welland’s Air Cadet Squadron, 87 Eagle, is one of the original squadrons formed in Canada during 1942, and has recently celebrated its 80th anniversary.

Uniquely located at the Niagara Central Airport in Welland Ontario, the 87 Eagle squadron has been training in the airports former Fire Company #1 meeting place for over 65 years. Literally thousands of young men and women have reaped the many benefits of the Royal Canadian Air Cadet program in the old WWII-era building.

Today the building is maintained by the hard work of the cadets, the generous donations of the community, and the time invested by the Squadron Sponsoring Committee and volunteers.

Current Squadron Staff

Captain Leandro Silva Commanding Officer (87air@cadets.gc.ca)
Captain Ann-Marie Norio, CD Deputy Commanding Officer
Captain Ann-Marie Norio, CD Administration Officer
Captain Bowman Training Officer
Second-Lieutenant Adam Carter Supply Officer
Civilian Instructor Brad Vermolen Standards Officer
Major Luigi Norio, CD Level Officer
Lieutenant Angela Norio Level Officer
Second-Lieutenant Stefane Filion Level Officer

Squadron Commanders

  • WOI C. Hoogendoorn 2024 – Present
  • WOI E. Breitenbach 2022 – 2024
  • WOI E. Foster 2021 – 2022
  • WOI N. Norio 2019 – 2021
  • WOI K. Kalenuik 2018 – 2019
  • WOI A. Norio 2017 – 2018
  • WOI B. Vermolen 2017 – 2017
  • WOI B. Maurice 2016 – 2017
  • WOII J. Miller 2015 – 2016

Commanding Officers
  1. Flt-Lt G.E. Johnson 1941 – 1945
  2. Flt-Lt Donaldson 1945 – 1947
  3. Flt-Lt F. McKenna 1947 – 1961
  4. W. Crofts 1961 – 1966
  5. A. McPherson 1966 – 1968
  6. Capt A Whitley 1969 – 1976
  7. Capt J.M. Daniels 1977 – 1983
  8. Capt Richardson 1983 – 1985
  9. Capt J.M. Daniels 1986 – 1988
  10. Capt H. Hughes 1988 – 1991
  11. Capt B. Picard 1991 – 1994
  12. Capt J. Belansky 1994 – 1997
  13. Capt G. Norio 1997 – 1998
  14. Capt A.M. Norio 1999 – 2012
  15. Capt D. Knight 2012 – 2014
  16. Capt A.M. Norio 2014 – 2017
  17. Capt C. Bowman 2017 – 2023
  18. Capt H.L. Silva 2023 – Present