Featured Squadron of the Month

581 Castlegar Squadron
Chartered: February 18, 1954
Status: Active
Community: Castlegar, BC

Squadron History:
While there is limited supporting documentation, it is believed that the plans to start the 581 Castlegar Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron began in 1952. The Squadron received its Charter in 1954 and was stood up on February18th, 1954.
Over the next 70+ years, 581 Castlegar Air Cadet Squadron has been providing Canada’s premier youth development program to the youth of the Castlegar/West Kootney region.
The Squadron has had many homes throughout this period. The first was the Castlegar Elementary School which stood where the Courthouse now stands. This headquarters was followed by Stanley Humphries High School, The Kinnaird Hall and the old Airport Terminal Building. Since 1994, the Kiwanis Hall has been the HQ for 581 Castlegar Squadron.
Just prior to the Covid 19 Pandemic shut-down the Kiwanis Hall was flooded and largely destroyed. A great deal of the Squadron’s records was lost or totally destroyed. To add to this, during the shut-down, the Squadron strength was reduced to a near critical level. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Squadron Staff and SSC Members, today the Squadron numbers have rebounded with 1st and 2nd year Cadets.

Literally thousands of young women and men from the West Kootenays have worn the 581 Castlegar Air Cadet uniform and paraded with the Squadron. Throughout all these years, the Cadets have received youth development guidance, training and direction from numerous CIC Officers and Civilian Instructors while working in partnership with the 581 Squadron Sponsoring Committee’s Volunteer personnel. ACLC SSC Volunteers have been serving the Squadron since before the Squadron’s first official parade night, spending countless hours fundraising to finance the Squadron’s facilities, activities and program delivery expenses not covered by the DND.
Current 2024/2025 Squadron Staff:
Lt.(n) Llora McTeer (Commanding Officer) OCdt. K. Smith (Training Officer) Lt B. Makortoff, CD (Administration Officer) CI V. Brown (Assistant Administration Officer) CI J. Lundquist (Supply Officer) VI T. Visona (Assistant Training Officer) VI H Anderson (Assistant Training Officer)

Commanding officers who have served 581 Castlegar Air Cadet Squadron include:
- Lt.(n) Llora McTeer
- Capt. Jean Lundquist
- Capt. Bill Reid
- Major Bob MacBain CD
- Capt. John Lang
- Capt. Vivian Murphey
- Capt. Trevor Smith CD
- Capt. Mike Power CD
- Capt. Gerry Rempel
- Capt. Terry Klapper
For more information and a pictural journey of 581 Castlegar Royal Air Cadet Squadron’s activities and Community Support, please visit: https://581castlegaraircadets.ca/
Our sincere thanks to Brier Albano for his contributions to this month’s feature presentation.