Featured Squadron of the Month

135 Bell Irving Squadron

Squadron Name: 135 Bell Irving Squadron
Chartered: June 20, 1942
Status: Active
Community: Vancouver, BC

Squadron History

With Flying officer S. M. Gibson appointed as the Commanding Officer, 135 Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets was stood up on the 20th of June 1942. It was originally stationed in South Burnaby with the name 135 Royal Oak Squadron and was open to boys 14 ½ to 17 ½ years of age for the purpose of training them for service with the RCAF when of age. Following the war, the Air Cadet Program’s aims and training were changed to meet the evolving practical needs of Canadian youth.

In the 1950s, the squadron moved to Vancouver at the RCAF Station Kitsilano, and was given the name 135 Vancouver Squadron.

Following the closing of RCAF Station Kitsilano in 1965, the squadron moved to its permanent home in the Seaforth Armoury. In 1978, the squadron requested and was granted a name change to 135 Challenger RCACS.

In 1975, the Canadian Parliament authorized the enrolment of females in the cadet program. This permitted girls to take advantage of all the training programs and compete equally for promotions in cadets for the first time. Like most other squadrons that were formed prior to this change, recruiting numbers for the squadron increased to the point that additional resources and manpower was required to administer the program.

In 2010, to honor Air Commodore Alan Duncan Bell-Irving, one of the founders of the Air Cadet program, 135 Challenger Squadron requested yet another name change to 135 Bell-Irving Squadron. This was also done to show the connection between the Squadron and the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada as Air Commodore A.D. Bell-Irving’s Father was one of the founders of Canada’s Highland Regiment.

In 2012, the Squadron moved to its temporary home at the Bessborough Armoury. This was caused by fact that the Seaforth Armoury was undergoing extensive renovations which was expected to last 5 or more years.

During the appointment term of Captain Tim Challen as the Commanding Officer of 135 Bell Irving Squadron, (2012-2015) through collaborations with the SSC, a 135 Bell Irving Challenge Coin was minted and produced in a limited quantity.

At the CO’s discretion, this coin was to be awarded to individuals and or cadets deserving of recognition for going above and beyond expectations for service to the Squadron. Some coins were also presented to Guest Speakers, Reviewing Officers and distinguished guests as tokens of appreciation.

In January 2018, 135 Bell-Irving Squadron was honored to move back to their renovated home at Seaforth Armoury. Along with their move back to Seaforth, 135 RCACS and the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada formalized their partnership to ensure the highest quality of training and opportunity for the cadets of 135 RCACS by Seaforth Highlanders of Canada formally becoming their affiliated unit.

On June 12, 2022, 135 Bell-Irving Squadron celebrated its 80th anniversary.

Table of Past Commanding Officers of 135 Bell Irving Squadron

2023 – present	Capt. Roberta Dight
2019 -2023	Capt. Matthew Blackstock
2015 – 2019	Capt. Chris Smith
2012 – 2015	Capt. Tim Challen
2009 – 2012	Capt. Darcy Bodnaruk
2005 – 2009	Capt. Roberta Dight
2001 – 2005	Capt. Bruce Lumgair
1999 – 2001	Maj. Cindy Adams (Croston)
1997 – 1999	Capt. Don Wiseman
1994 – 1997	Capt. Coy Travers
1991 – 1994	Capt. Sandy Nightingale
1989 – 1991	Capt. Capt. Vic Bridgette
1986 – 1989	Capt. Rob Allison
1983 – 1986	Capt. Scott Edmiston
1983	Capt. Bruce Kilby
? – 1977	Capt John Edwards
1966 – 1970	Capt. Hal Philbrook

The Squadron Sponsoring Committee, Staff and Cadets at 135 Bell Irving Squadron is extremely grateful for the support it received from The Seaforth Highlanders Regiment and the Billy Bishop Kerrisdale Legion Branch #176 over the years.

More information about 135 Bell Irving RCACS can be found on their website: https://www.135air.ca
and on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/135bellirving