Featured Squadron of the Month
521 Aurora Squadron
Chartered: March 27, 1950
Status: Active
Community: Mission, BC
Squadron History:
The initiative to establish 521 Aurora Air Cadet Squadron in Mission, BC, was led by Mr. Guy Symonds in 1950. On March 27 of that year, the Air Cadet League of Canada signed the charter permitting the Squadron to parade in Mission. The first Commanding Officer was Flight Lieutenant Peterson, who served from 1950 to 1954. The first female Commanding Officer was Captain Shannon J. Clarke, who served from 1992 to 1993.
Over the years, the Squadron paraded at various locations in Mission, including Heritage Park Middle School and Mission Senior Secondary School. Its current Local Headquarters (LHQ) is located at the St. Mary’s Centre, 34110 Lougheed Highway, Mission, BC.
In celebration of its 75th anniversary in 2025, 521 Aurora Air Cadet Squadron Sponsoring Committee Chair, Lee Rego, after acknowledging that the squadron parades on the traditional lands of the Stó:lō Nation, expressed the Squadron’s gratitude to their long-time corporate sponsors—Royal Canadian Legion Branch 57 (Mission), Symons Tire Centre, the Community of Mission—and to the many parents whose volunteer contributions over the years enabled the Squadron’s continued successes.
Inspired by their Cadet training, many Squadron alumni have gone on to serve as military officers in the Royal Canadian Air Force and other branches of the Canadian Armed Forces, as well as become commercial pilots, aviation professionals, community leaders, and devoted volunteers. They credit the Cadet Program and the training they received at 521 Aurora Air Cadet Squadron for shaping their leadership and life skills.
Former Commanding Officers:
- Flight Lt. E. J. Biggs
- Flight Lt. R. F. Smith
- Flying Officer Chester
- Flight Lt. Boynton
- Captain C. S. Pocock
- Captain Ernie E. Lathrop
- Lt. W. J. Regan
- Major L. C. M. deSalaberry
- Captain Steven D. Poignant
- Captain Rick A. Jamison
- Captain Shannon J. Clarke
- Captain Donald P. Lavoie
- Lt. Lloyd Arsenault
- Captain Monty R. Cross
- Captain Rob Tawes
- Captain Al Blakely
- Captain Ernie Turra
- Sheila E. Reinderhoff
- Captain Robert Persson
- Major Monty R. Cross
- Captain Alexandra G. C. Pike
- Captain William A. Murray
- Captain Melanie Taylor
- Captain Stephen Brown
- Captain Tom Benton
- Captain Alicia Kathrens
- Captain C. Mercer
For more information about the Air Cadet program in Mission, BC, please visit the Squadron’s website at:
https://521aurorarcacs.ca/