386 Komox Squadron

Squadron History

Originally started as Courtenay High School Squadron on June 14, 1944, the Squadron received its Charter from the Air Cadet League of Canada on December 6, 1944. The Courtenay Rotary Club was the Squadron's first corporate sponsor. Between 1944 and 1946, two WWI Vets, Edward (Ted) Dawson and Albert Grant were recorded as serving as Commanding Officers of the Squadron.

After WWII, like many other High School based Squadrons in Canada, the Squadron was disbanded. Receiving requests from several parents and support from the community it was very soon reformed in September 1946 outside the school curriculum as 386 Comox District Rotary Squadron.

In 1952, still under the sponsorship of the Courtenay Rotary Club, the Squadron had 53 boys enrolled. With D.L. Morris as Chairman of the Rotary Air Cadet Committee, Flight Lieutenant (F/L) W. Nelson McInnis, D.F.C. — an airman who saw action with Bomber Command of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) over Europe during the war years — commanded the Squadron. His Adjutant was Flying Officer (F/O) H.W. Fullard, who was also with the RCAF. The Equipment Officer was F/O D.S. Garman, who served with the RCAF but received his commission with Air Cadets.

At that time there was no requirement for more officers, but there was a need for instructors. Several ex-RCAF members stepped up to help with providing instruction: Alex Bell with navigation; Graham McMonnies with airmanship; Jack Parkin as chief instructor; Gordon Highway with radio; and John Vaton with first aid.

The Squadron trained at the Comox airport. Some of the boys had to travel 30 miles from surrounding communities to attend parade nights. This sometimes proved to be a problem for them. The Comox Logging Company generally came to the aid of these boys by supplying trucks on parade nights.

Training included lectures; building model airplanes; study of Morse code by flash and sound; study of aero engines; practice flying in a Linc Trainer; airmanship; navigation; meteorology; radio; radar; service familiarization; and drill.

While the exact dates are not certain, for a short period of time starting in 1966, the Courtenay Lions Club took over the corporate sponsorship responsibilities for the Squadron. In the early 1980s, after the Squadron moved off the Base (Bldg 22) to their present location, the 888 Wing Komox Royal Canadian Air Force Association took over the sponsorship of the Squadron.

Cadettes & Community

On 30 November 1972, the Squadron's first flight of Cadettes (female Cadets) was formed. OC Marie Salter was assigned to supervise the Cadette Flight. Female Cadettes paraded on Monday nights at the Cadet HQ. The first flight was made up of the following Cadettes: Marie Bakker, Marion Bakker, Anne Blain, Joy Choquette, Christine Christmas, Cindy Creamer, Lynn DeCoste, Sue Edwards, Janet Field, Nora Haan, A. Hillis, and Anita Kipp.

Over the next 24 years the 386 Komox Air Cadet Squadron became recognized as the premier youth development organization in the Comox Valley through Cadets volunteering at community events and participating in community parades. The Squadron has had many changes to both staff and the number of Cadets enrolling, including officially allowing girls to join the program in 1975. One thing remains constant though, and that is the support of DND, the Air Cadet League of Canada, sponsors and parents. Courses are still being offered during the summer months; the training is basically the same. The Squadron is still turning out fine young men and women.