Changing in guard for 535 Archer Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron

Always looking to bring in a new member for the team, the local air cadets — 535 Archer Squadron — have started at the top as Captain Garnet Eskritt took over the Commanding Officer post at a cadet meeting on February 14 at the Leamington Fairgrounds’ Janette Mulholland Activity Centre. 

Captain Eskritt – a social worker by day– has 40 years of military experience, seven as a cadet and 33 with the Canadian Reserves.

The new Commanding Officer oversees the training programs, promotes the development of leadership skills and works with the sponsoring committee to raise funds for the organization. 

“I will try to breed new life into this program, attempt to bring about a greater diversity in our membership and establish a new home for our squadron,” Eskritt said.

The squadron has been very active as they have participated in a number of sporting events and have completed the first phase of their marksmanship training. Upcoming events for the cadets include a second marksmanship phase and a camp that focuses on survival training.

“We want to elevate our level of training to entice more young people to join and I have a goal of increasing our squadron size from its current 18 members to 50 members by year’s end,” Eskritt said.

Captain Eskritt is also hoping that adults in the local community will step up as volunteers to assist in the many endeavours that encompass the cadet program.

The air cadet squadron was excited to receive charitable status last month and is reaching out for help as they continue to seek funding to establish a permanent home on the fairgrounds, including their historically significant H-hut building. Letters will be going out to businesses asking for financial assistance as part of a campaign to overcome the $250,000 shortfall that exists for renovations and new infrastructure.