Celebrating 50 years of serving the local community

June 19, 2025 · 0 Comments

164 Shelburne Squadron Royal Canadian Air Cadets hold 50th annual ceremonial review

Written By BRIAN LOCKHART

It’s a big year for the 164 Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, as the not-for-profit program celebrates 50 years as a squadron.

The Squadron was originally formed in 1975.

To celebrate, the cadets held their 50th annual ceremonial review to demonstrate their military skills and run drills, while looking sharp and disciplined. They marched in formation into the Centre Dufferin Recreation Complex on Saturday, June 14.

The squadron took a loss in numbers when the COVID pandemic hit, but they are rebuilding and now have more members than ever.

The cadets teach the military way of life and give cadets life skills and opportunities for adventure.

“Today we are doing our annual inspection of the cadets,” explained Air Cadets sponsoring committee chair Georgina Walters, during the ceremonial review on June 14. “This is our year-end annual inspection. We get cadets ready to march and they are inspected in their uniforms. This year is special because it has been 50 years since Squadron 164 has been in Shelburne. We have alumni here who have come back. We have old officers and captains. We had one man come all the way from Alberta. The keynote speaker has come from Colorado. He actually was a 164 Squadron cadet, and he’s now a Brigadier General (regular Forces). We have alumni too, who come from far away to celebrate this event.”

The guest speaker was Brigadier General James Hawthorne, who is currently the deputy director of strategy, policy and plans for NORAD and US Northern Command Headquarters in Colorado.

A former 164 Squadron member in his youth, Brigadier General Hawthorne has had a storied career in the Canadian Armed Forces since 1994.

Cadets today can look up to Brigadier General Hawthorne as a role model and see what can be accomplished through hard work and dedication.

After the ceremony, the cadets, their families, and visitors gathered at the Shelburne Legion for a social time to celebrate the squadron’s 50 years as a unit.