Air cadets from across the province are back in Quinte West this summer at the Trenton Cadet Training Centre.
The cadet program offers a variety of dynamic training and experiential opportunities to local youth between the ages of 12 and 18.
It is the first in-person training at the centre since 2019.
The pandemic wiped out the program in 2020 while there were some virtual offerings in 2021.
Tuesday they had the opportunity to meet with Quinte West Mayor Jim Harrison who learned about why the cadet program is one of Canada’s best youth development programs.
Harrison started his visit at the CTC where he met with the Commanding Officer, Commander Walt Dermott, and his cadet command team counterpart, 17-year-old Warrant Officer First Class Aneal Mahadeo.
Mayor Harrison also visited Picton Airport and had lunch with cadets participating in the Glider Pilot Training Course.
Mayor Jim Harrison of Quinte West receives a Command Team Coin of appreciation from Trenton CTC Commanding Officer, Commander Walt Dermott at the conclusion of a lunch time visit with the Gliding Course Cadets at Picton Airport July 19. (Photo: Lt(N) Ronald Holla UPAR/RAPU)
The student pilots had the opportunity to ask the mayor several questions, as well as explain some principles of flight that they learned these past few weeks.
The GPTC is a six- or seven-week training program that results in successful candidates graduating with their Transport Canada Glider Pilot Licence.
Mayor Jim Harrison of Quinte West exchanges one last goodbye with a Gliding Course cadet as his visit to the Gliding Course Cadets at Picton Airport comes to an end July 19. (Photo: Cadet Correspondent FSgt Zuzana Parent)
