Featured Squadron of the Month
531 City of Trail Squadron
Chartered: March 2, 1951
Status: Active
Community: Trail, BC
Squadron History:
During the Second World War, Trail was home to the 233 Trail Air Cadet Squadron. Several Air Cadets from the 233 Squadron went on to enlist in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). After the war ended in 1945, like many other squadrons formed in high schools across Canada to support the war effort, this unit was disbanded.
Several years later, on February 3,1951, under the leadership of Mr. E.R. Scammell and the Trail Junior Chamber of Commerce, a newly formed Squadron Sponsoring Committee including J.W. Gouge, C.E.T. White, H.T. Berry and J.Y. Naylor submitted an application to the Air Cadet league of Canada and the Department of National Defense to form an Air Cadet Squadron named “531 City of Trail”. On March 2nd 1951, the Charter to form 531 City of Trail Air Cadet squadron was approved and signed.
With Squadron Leader Ian Summerville serving as the first Commanding Officer, 531 City of Trail Air Cadet Squadron began parading at the old Trail Armoury, the Trail Arena, and the Royal Canadian Legion. After the Armoury closed in the early 1960s, the squadron moved its headquarters to Central School in West Trail. In 2000, when Central School was sold by the School Board, the Squadron was again forced to relocate. This move brought them to their current home; the Kemball (Trail) Armoury in Shavers Bench.
Since its establishment in 1951, with the corporate support of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 11 and the support of the broader community, 531 City of Trail RCACS has been delivering Canada’s premier youth development program to the young people of Trail, Fruitvale, Montrose, Warfield, Rossland, Genelle, and surrounding areas.
Among its notable achievements, 531 City of Trail RCACS holds the distinction of receiving the Top BC Air Cadet Squadron award for two consecutive years in 1960 and 1961 and the top BC Rural Air Cadet Squadron in 1997.
In addition to the opportunities for advanced summer training programs– such as Power and Glider Pilot License courses, Survival Instructor, Music, Sports and Fitness, Range, Leadership and International Exchange– Cadets receive training throughout the year in Leadership, Outdoor Survival, Music and various aviation related skills.
Some select Cadet Training levels and advanced courses may be applied as academic credits toward high school graduation.
The Canadian Cadet program, which includes Sea, Army and Air Cadets, is the largest government funded youth development initiative in Canada with over 50,000 participants. While the program is military-based, there is no obligation for cadets to join the Canadian Armed Forces upon completing their cadet careers.
The Cadet Program is open to all Canadian youth regardless of income, race, religion, culture or other socio-economic factors. It embraces Canada’s multiculturalism and offers young Canadian’s opportunities to interact with peers from diverse backgrounds.
At any time, new Cadets can start their application at: https://registration.cadets.gc.ca/get-started.html
A pictorial record of 531 City of Trail can be viewed by clicking on the following link: https://www.facebook.com/trailaircadets
Commanding Officers:
Squadron Leader Ian Summerville – 1951
Flight Lieutenant H W Ross – 1959
Flight Lieutenant L W Halliday – 1966
Captain I Mackie – Nov 8 1968
Captain J Ratcliff – 1970
Captain L W Halliday – 1970 – March 1971
Captain S U Raun -March 1971
Captain Trevor Smith
Captain Mike Lesuik
Captain Don Nickoletti
Major Terry Halliwell
Captain Don Watt – 1985
Captain Marika Szabo – 1993
Lieutenant Llora Brown – 2006
Major Marika Szabo
Lieutenant Tricia Irving
Captain Derwin Costinak
Captain Peter Grace
Captain James Hossack
Captain Kelly Hoglund
Captain Colin Gurnet
Major Kevin DeBiasio – Nov 2024
Flying Scholarships:
John Northey – 1953
Dick Booth – 1954
Dan Ryan – 1954
Bill Jabonski
Bruce Gerrand – 1961
Michael Blench – 1963
Rick Ward – 1964
Ed Banes – 1964
R G Riley – 1965
Al Kassian – 1971
Tom Johnson – 1974
Craig Halliwell
Richard Horney
Peter Buckley – Glider 1978 – Power 1979
Judy Martin – Glider 1978 – Power 1979
David Buckley – Glider 1980 – Power 1981
Kevin DeBiasio – Glider 1980 – Power 1981
Andrew Merecek
Guy Madrigga
Derek Campbell – Glider 1987 – Power 1988
Duane Hendricks – Glider 1987 – Power 1988
Mike Delorie – Glider 1999 – Power 2000
Andrew Masuch
Hawk Regnault
Alex Farnsworth
Squadron Awards:
Top BC Squadron – 1960 and 1961
Top BC Rural Squadron – 1997