Category: General Updates

All;

We are still on track for an October start to the training year.

First Night Back

Our first night back will be October 7th and will be virtually to start. That first night will be a CO Parade, complete with some exciting appointments, and info about the year. You do not want to miss this one. Parents/guardians invited to watch. Link and timing will be posted on the website.

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Sr Cadet Meeting

We will be hosting a Level 4+ cadet meeting next week, date TBD.

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New Cadet and Recruit Info Session

We will be hosting a New Cadet and Recruit Info Session on Wednesday September 30th at 7:00pm via web conference. Expect more information coming soon. If you are eager to join, this is the info session for you.

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Moving from Slack to Teams

We will be transitioning from using Slack to Microsoft Teams. Teams will allow us to have virtual training, communication, and more all under one roof, and give cadets access to Microsoft OneDrive, Word, Excel, and Outlook. This will be a big change, and expect an email coming soon with connection details.

Each cadet will be issued a firstinitial+lastname@87eagle.ca (i.e. cbowman@87eagle.ca) email address to use and login to Teams with.

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There are a lot of exciting things happening. We are looking forward to a fantastic training year!

Capt C. Bowman
Commanding Officer

Good afternoon all;

Battle of Britain 80th Anniversary – Sunday 1030-1100hrs

Each year the Cadets proudly take part in local Battle of Britain parades across the country to commemorate the sacrifices that were made to turn the tides of the Second World War. Allied nations from around the world partook, including Canada, in this decisive air battle to defend Britain.

Royal Canadian Air Force will be hosting a virtual commemoration ceremony of the Battle of Britain this Sunday. Tune in on the RCAF Facebook event page on Sunday at 10:30 AM.

Second photo: “Scramble” is the command which sends these Royal Canadian Air Force pilots from 87 Squadron in Britain racing to their Hurricanes to battle the enemy on February 18, 1941. Yes, you read that correctly: the RAFs 87 Squadron flew Hurricanes and later Spitfires during WWII.

26 August 2020

To our Cadets, Parents , Guardians and the Community of Welland/Pelham,

The safety and security of all who participate in the Cadet Program is always one of our top priorities. It is assumed that the COVID-19 pandemic could last 18 months or longer. This virus will likely return in multiple waves and continue to pose a threat to the Canadian Public. A return to normalcy is not forecasted any time soon, and we need to prepare for a new normal.

Therefore, that is why, the Commander of the National Cadet and Junior Canadian Rangers Support Group has made the decision to delay the start-up of limited in-person cadet activities until at least 1 October, 2020. This was not an easy decision, nor was it made in isolation. It ensures that we have proper measures in place for the safety and security of everyone who participates in our programs and will ensure that the Cadet and JCR programs do not become a vector to spread the COVID-19 virus.

In the month of September, you can expect that we will reach out to you with information about the fall. We are expecting virtual briefing sessions to prepare for the training year to resume in September, and virtual training to resume in October until such time that limited in-person training can be authorized. For your information, we have enclosed some key questions/answers for the upcoming 2020-2021 training year.

Although the fall of 2020 will not roll out the same way it has in years before, we remain committed to ensuring that the Cadet Program continues to provide unique experiences for youth within our community. Should you have any questions or concerns, you are encouraged to reach out to me.

Yours truly,

Captain C. Bowman
Commanding Officer

Frequently Asked Questions

For all new/interested cadets

Yes, we are accepting registration if your young adult (aged 12-18) wishes to join the Cadets. Please see the Join Cadets page for more information on what to expect and how to start the process. Also, make sure to subscribe to updates to this website to learn about an upcoming info session we will be hosting in September/October for new recruits. To subscribe, add your email address to the on the right or email recruiting@87eagle.ca directly.

For all existing 87 Eagle cadets and parents

We know you are looking forward to getting back to Cadets, and we are too! We will be hosting a virtual info session so stay tuned for more information. If you do not currently get emails from 87 Eagle make sure to subscribe and check your junk/spam folder just in case. To subscribe, add your email address to the on the right or email recruiting@87eagle.ca directly. Current cadets are also reminded to continue to check Slack for updates from their respective chain of command. Not connected yet? Learn How to Join Slack here.

For all retired or departing 87 Eagle cadets

We will be providing an update soon on how and when to bring your uniforms back to Supply.

Any other questions

As we continue to navigate through the pandemic, always remember that you have a family here at 87 Eagle. If you have any questions, please always feel free to reach out to me at 87squadron@gmail.com

All;

If you have yet to submit sizing for the Field Training Uniforms that are coming (in approx 6-months), do so BEFORE this Friday. All cadets are required to submit sizing. Cadets that do not submit by Friday risk not receiving the new uniforms with everyone else.

To submit, use this form: http://87eagle.ca/field-training-uniform

What are the new FTUs?

The new Field Training Uniforms (FTUs) are a new uniform that all Air Cadets will be issued alongside their dress uniforms they have now. FTUs will become the regular training uniform and worn weekly during normal training nights. The dress uniforms (that you have now) will be worn for monthly CO Parades, Mess Dinners, ACRs, ceremonies and parades, etc.

These new FTUs will also be used in the field, so all cadets will be in uniform on our Field Training Exercises.

This new uniform was a culmination of both bringing the Air Cadet uniforms in-line with Army and Sea (they both get 2 uniforms as well), and after consultation with cadets as to what they would like from a new uniform. We are very excited for this new change!

I am not sure if I am sending my cadet back in 2020-21 Trg Yr, should I submit sizes?

Absolutely: to avoid delays in receiving FTUs, it is recommended you still submit sizing. Furthemore, although training will (hopefully) take place both online and in-person once we get the green light, any cadet that does not want to attend any in-person training during 2020-21 training year will not be penalized.

All;

I know a lot of you have had questions as to what a return to the Cadet program may look like.

Today, the Commander released Tasking Order #002. I have included the text below, with an update forthcoming from 87.

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiF62AJJ-OU)

With the coming of the fall season normally comes the close of our summer activities, and a return to our regular routines. Summer vacations wind down, we return to school, to work, and, of course, back to Cadets.

This year, however, continues to be very different. It is assumed that the COVID-19 pandemic could last 18 months or longer, and the virus will likely return in multiple waves continuing to pose a threat to the Canadian Public. Therefore, a return to normalcy is not forecasted any time soon and we should expect to prepare for a new normal.

As such, we have been hard at work to prepare a plan for what the return of the Cadet Program will look like.

The safety and security of all who participate in our programs remain our top priority, and has been at the heart of every decision made. Steps to ensure that the proper precautions have been taken to ensure we do everything we can to protect our cadets and staff and prevent the Cadet Program from becoming a vector for the further transmission of COVID-19 are being put in place.

To provide corps / squadron staff time to ensure they are able to support the possible resumption of limited in-person cadet activities, there will be a delay in the start-up of in-person Cadet Activities until at least 1 October 2020.

Corps and squadrons are encouraged to use the time in September to connect virtually with their cadets and parents.

Some of the major highlights of Task Order 2 include:

Update – for in-person activities

1. No in-person training/events/activities are to commence prior to 1 Oct 20.
2. Virtual CTC completed Friday 14 Aug, 2020, will be gathering lessons learned to apply to the upcoming cadet year.

When training resumes

1. Cadets and adult staff (CAF, CIs, and volunteers) must inform their CO if they have been tested for COVID-19 and also the results.
2. When the time comes for in person activities, non-medical masks (NMMs) will be provided by the CAF to all cadets and staff; however, in the interim, cadets and staff may use personally procured NMMs if they have them.
3. Wearing of non-medical masks during in-person activities will be dependent on the local situation (e.g., school board direction, Provincial / Municipal regulations), ensuring 2m physical distancing. Additional direction may following prior to 1 Oct 2020.
4. Previous direction regarding international cadet training/events remains extant. Given the state of COVID and global projections; No international cadet training/events will occur prior to 1 Sep 21, this includes all Exchanges (i.e. ISCA, IACE, Maple Leaf, etc.).
5. Inter-provincial/territorial travel is limited to program participants who reside within one hour of a provincial/territorial border and must cross it in order to attend regular parade nights or other approved day only training activities.
6. No overnight travel is authorized until further notice. This means, for example, day only field exercises and no recreational trips outside the 1-hour driving limitations.
7. We are planning for day camps during the spring break 2021 period across Canada. Looking at up to approximately 6,000 cadets getting the opportunity and parents dropping off and picking up. We are exploring the use of local armouries, facilities with the focus being on safe, fun and exciting activities for the cadets.

Subsequent updates

1. Subsequent direction will follow Not Before 1 Nov 20 in regards to CTCs for Summer 2021.

Power Pilot Training Course (PPTC) and Glider Pilot Training Course (GPTC)

1. The decision to conduct the PPTC and GPTC will be made by Comd Natl CJCR Sp Gp in the Nov/Dec 2020 timeframe.
2. Note: Force generation of glider instructors will need to be the first priority to ensure viability of the glider program in the future.
3. There is planned to be a selection process for both GPTC and PPTC this training year.
4. PPTC and GPTC could resume, conditions permitting, during summer 2021, but there are no guarantees that approval will be given to conduct these courses given COVID-19.
5. Additionally, cadet familiarization flying (power and glider), could also resume, conditions permitting, but no earlier than summer 2021.

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More information will be released soon.

Capt C. Bowman
Commanding Officer