Featured Squadron of the Month

Squadron History:

In the decades following the Second World War, the Air Cadet movement expanded rapidly across northern British Columbia, eventually reaching the community of Terrace in the early 1960s. Local interest in aviation combined with the development of a growing regional airport, created ideal conditions for the establishment of a new Squadron.

Through the hard work, assistance, and dedication of Mr. K. F. Van Hurd, 747 Terrace Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Cadets, applied for and received its Charter on 28 January 1964.

Under the command of Captain Van Hurd, the Squadron initially paraded at the Terrace Civic Centre. At the time, 75 boys were enrolled.

The choice of the name “Unicorn” followed the Air Cadet League’s tradition of assigning distinctive heraldic or symbolic identifiers to new Squadrons, particularly in regions without direct affiliations to Royal Canadian Air Force stations.

Primary community support for the Squadron came from The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 13. Local businesses, aviation minded volunteers, and parents, many of whom had wartime or post war aviation experience, also contributed significantly. This support eventually formalized into what is now the Terrace 747 Squadron’s Sponsoring Committee.

In 1976, following federal legislation in 1975 that officially recognized girls as members of Canada’s Cadet Corps and Squadrons, the first young women were welcomed into the unit. This milestone opened long awaited aviation and leadership opportunities for girls in Terrace and the surrounding region.

As the Squadron grew, the need for a permanent training location became increasingly clear. In 1984, thanks to the continued dedication of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 13 Air Cadets Sponsoring Committee and the efforts of numerous volunteers from Terrace and the wider region, a new Squadron building was constructed at the Terrace/Kitimat Airport.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, 747 Unicorn RCACS became a cornerstone of youth development in the Terrace area. Its airport location enabled regular familiarization flying, exposure to commercial and general aviation, partnerships with airport staff and local pilots, and participation in regional gliding operations. Cadets trained in leadership, citizenship, drill, marksmanship, survival, and aviation studies, mirroring national program standards while benefiting from the unique northern environment.

During this period, the Squadron’s motto, “Clarior ex Tenebris” (“Brighter from Darkness”), became a defining expression of its culture of resilience, discipline, and personal growth.

One of the most significant figures in the Squadron’s modern history is Captain Chris Bishop, who joined 747 as a Cadet in 1986. After aging out, he returned as an officer in 1998 and became Commanding Officer in 2005. Under his leadership, the Squadron modernized its training, strengthened community partnerships, maintained stable enrollment, and preserved its airport based identity. In September 2023, after nearly two decades as CO, Captain Bishop passed command to Captain Barry Duffield, marking a new chapter in the Squadron’s leadership.