Featured Squadron of the Month

Squadron History:

On January 25, 1959, the British Columbia Provincial Committee of the Air Cadet League of Canada (BCPC) forwarded an application to the Air Cadet League of Canada (ACLC) to form a second Squadron in Richmond. A follow up letter was sent on March 5, 1959, outlining the rationale for establishing the new Squadron. The key points that were submitted in support of the formation of a second Squadron in Richmond were:

1. Parade Location: The proposed Squadron would meet at RCAF Station Sea Island.
2. Shared Facilities: They would share the same quarters that was being used by 655 Richmond Squadron, but on a different parade night.
3. Officer Establishment: No increase in officer establishment was required, as the intent was simply to divide the existing group into two. (With 141 Cadets, it was no longer feasible to parade everyone on a single night). Administratively, it was considered more effective to form two Squadrons rather than run two separate nights for one.
4. Financial Requirements: No additional contingency funding was needed.
5. Sponsorship: The Kiwanis Club agreed to sponsor the entire group, and financial support was not an issue.

A Charter was issued for the new Squadron on May 7, 1959 and the new Richmond Squadron was officially stood up on May 31, 1960. Officially, it became known as 692 Golden Hawk Squadron.

Subsequent Squadron Name Changes:

After its formation in 1959, 692 Golden Hawk Squadron encountered various challenges that necessitated changes to the Squadron’s name. The timeline and names adopted were as follows:

• From 31 May 1960 to 10 February 1964 – 692 Golden Hawk Squadron
• From 10, February 1964 to 1 January, 1965 – 692 TCA Vancouver Squadron
• From 1 January, 1965 to 3 January, 2006 – 692 Air Canada Squadron
• From 3 January, 2006 to Present – 692 BCIT Aerospace Squadron

In February, 1963, The RCAF Station Sea Island was being closed due to the unification of the Canadian Armed Forces. A Transfer of Sponsorship Form was submitted to the ACLC on behalf of 692 Golden Hawk Squadron. With the closure of the station, the Kiwanis Club could no longer support both 655 and 692 Squadrons, as they would now be parading in different locations. In early 1964, Trans Canada Airlines (TCA) stepped forward to take over the sponsorship, and a request was submitted to rename the unit 692 TCA Squadron.

Although the Squadron officially retained the name Golden Hawk Squadron, it was commonly referred to as TCA Squadron. On February 10, 1964, the ACLC advised the BCPC that a TCA Squadron already existed in Winnipeg, and therefore the Vancouver unit would need to be designated 692 TCA Vancouver Squadron. This change was approved by DND.

On January 1, 1965, Trans Canada Airlines was officially renamed Air Canada by an Act of Parliament. The Squadron’s name was updated to reflect this change.

Fast forward to November 5, 2005, following Air Canada’s acquisition of Canadian Pacific Airlines, the company needed the hangar space it previously provided to 692 for its LHQ. Additionally, Transport Canada had begun tightening airside access regulations at major airports after 9/11. Air Canada announced the end of its 43 year sponsorship of the Squadron. This marked a difficult period for 692 Air Canada Squadron, as finding a new home in Richmond to accommodate a Squadron of approximately 90 Cadets proved extremely challenging. Squadron enrollment began to decline.

Thanks to the determined efforts of two air Cadet parents, (SSC Secretary Doris Alston and SSC Chair Camile Edwards), contact was made with the administration of the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) Aerospace Campus that was located very close to the YVR South Terminal. BCIT welcomed 692 Squadron to its original site. This was a major turning point in the history of 692 Air Canada Squadron.

On January 3, 2006, to solidify the Squadron’s alliance with the BCIT, the Squadron’s name was officially changed from 692 Air Canada Squadron to 692 BCIT Aerospace Squadron.

In 2007, BCIT relocated its Aerospace Technology Campus to its current location at 3800 Cessna Drive, Richmond, and included 692 Squadron in the move.