85 Tornado Squadron

‘Riding the edge of the Storm’

Call 519-217-3348 to join today

The 85 Tornado Squadron of Grand Valley was first formed in May 1991 by Captain Clifford Johnson (Ret’d), and has been supported since that time by the Grand Valley Lion’s Club. Since Captain Johnson’s term as the first Commanding Officer, Captain Anne Johnson, Captain Terry Filce and Captain Mary Vervoort, Capt. David Noseworthy have been commanding officers as well.

Presently the squadron is under the command of Captain Chris Luxemburger and parades on Tuesday evenings from 7:00-9:30pm during the regular school year.

The Air Cadets do a wide range of training and have incredible opportunities made available to them throughout the year. Our air cadets have also the opportunity to attend 2, 3 or 6 week summer camps as well. These camps include Music, Fitness Instructor, AirCrew Survival, and Basic and Pilot training to name a few.

Cadets throughout the year are given the opportunity to go gliding, receive their first aid and CPR certificates, work in the community, compete with other units in Sports, Band, and Drill, Participate in Remembrance Day parades, Santa Claus Parades, Christmas Dinners, Promotions, Sports, Weekend exercises, Monthly dances with other squadrons, Tagging, Inter-provincial Exchange, Day trips i.e. Niagara Falls, Toronto. And much, much more!!!!

Training nights include instruction for cadets in various topics such as aviation, drill, shelters, winter camping, uniform maintenance, boot polishing, use of fire extinguishers, daisy air rifle, and the chain of command just to name a few. Some of our cadets even got to participate in a Disney Film called "Cadet Kelly" in the summer of 2001. The film was released in March 2002 for TV.

Air Cadets are taught, discipline, and respect, they are given a routine and structure and of course have fun at the same time. Cadets start at age 12 and age out at 19. Many cadets go on to a career in the military or become pilots but it is not necessary, Cadets are a great foundation of learning and many aspects of their lives are affiliated with cadets once they leave. The friendships; last a lifetime and the skills learned benefit them in many ways. The staff are incredible and put in many hours behind the scenes.

The Staff consists of a Commanding Officer (Captain or above), Deputy Commanding Officer, Supply Officer, Training Officer, Administration Officers and many other support personnel in the background. In addition to the squadron staff, there are dozens of volunteer staff as well. The Parents Committee consists of parents of cadets and there is a Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and 2 Directors, all parents are invited to attend all meetings. The Parents Committee helps out at the different events by fundraising, baking, participating where needed and having fun.