Cadets, Community & Collaboration
- Admin
- Jul 12
- 2 min read
Local Squadron grateful for partnerships and community support
124th Peace River Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron | Peace River, AB
Positively impacting and supporting the community and surrounding areas for over 83 years, the 124th Peace River Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron is one of the longest-standing youth organizations in the community.
Free for youth ages 12 to 19, the program depends on community support, donations, fundraising and volunteer efforts.
Captain Kaitlyn Rieger, 34, has been the Commanding Officer for the Peace River unit for the past eight years. She says the Air Cadets program was created to train and recruit young men for WWII.
“The Peace River squadron was established in 1942 and is one of the longest running operations in Canada,” said Rieger. “Our program wouldn’t be possible without three very important partners—the Air Cadet League, the Department of National Defence and the Squadron Sponsoring Committee.”
The Squadron Sponsoring Committee is run by parents of active cadets. The committee is responsible for things like fundraising, dispensing funds, booking facilities and organizing trips and events.
“Having extra support ensures we provide our cadets with the same quality of opportunities and that we continue to evolve the program,” said Rieger. “The Squadron Sponsoring Committee is working to get charitable status this year, so they can provide donation receipts.”
The program accepts donations for things like canteen supplies, field training, parade facilities and usable physical items.
Today, the Peace River squadron’s mission is to help youth prepare for adulthood and navigate modern challenges through dynamic, community-based programs.
A cadet can participate in a biathlon, learn marksmanship skills and range safety, volunteer in the community, march in parades, take part in gliding opportunities, take weekend trips to military bases and more.
“We highly encourage leadership skills, while also teaching cadets to acknowledge personal weaknesses and strengths, so they can continue to grow as individuals. It’s so rewarding to witness cadets gain self-awareness while building confidence,” said Rieger.
Rieger and the squadron are grateful for the support from the wider community.
“Peace River, Grimshaw, McLennan, Valleyview and Fairview have been tremendous supporters to our program throughout the years,” said Rieger.
Training takes place downtown Peace River on Wednesday evenings from 6:30pm to 9:30pm.
For information on how to get involved, volunteer or enroll, visit fb.com/peaceriveraircadets
By Laura Hanna | Photography by Nathan Friedt
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