257 Parallel RCACS

05/29/2026

What an amazing Annual Ceremonial Review we had last year. You ready for this years? 👀

05/19/2026

257 RCACS is incredibly grateful for the continued support of our community members and volunteers who help make our program possible.

A special thank you to Shalan Kelly (pictured left), one of our dedicated Parents Committee members, for her ongoing fundraising efforts and support of our squadron. Your commitment makes a lasting impact on our cadets and program.

257 Parallel RCACS are another one of our grant recipients this year! We are proud to support this impactful youth development organization.

05/11/2026

During the Commanding Officers Parade on April 28th, we recognized the hard work put into the cadet program. Cadets received promotions, marksmanship qualifications, and fitness badges.

Bravo Zulu to the cadets that put hard work into the cadet program, your dedication to the program is noticed and highly valued!

📸 FSgt Marschall, FSgt Kerridge, WO2 Hammoud.

04/17/2026

Kicking off April with community spirit 🌸 The cadets had an amazing time volunteering with the Ladysmith LIONS CLUB at the annual Easter egg hunt, bringing smiles to local kids alongside the fire department—and even a special visit from the Easter Bunny! 🐰🚒

📷✍️ Sgt Alorah Kerridge, Cadet Correspondent

04/16/2026

On Tuesday, April 7th, 257 Parallel Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron held a change of appointment ceremony. Warrant Officer First Class (WO1) Yaseen Hammoud passed his role of Squadron Chief Warrant Officer to Warrant Officer Second Class (WO2) Kadeen Hammoud.

257 Parallel thanks WO1 Yaseen Hammoud on his contributions to our squadron throughout his time in cadets, and wishes WO2 Kadeen Hammound good luck on his new chapter in cadets!

Bravo Zulu! 🎉

📸✍️ Sgt Liam Marschall, Cadet Correspondent

04/01/2026

03/15/2026

The Cadet Honour Band is performing again!
If you have heard them before, you know how good they are!
Do not miss this amazing performance!

02/28/2026

Before he ever sat alone in a cockpit, Officer Cadet (OCdt) Lukas Rausch was just a young cadet listening to stories.

Reflecting on why OCdt Rausch wanted to get his wings, he said, “When I was 14 or 15, I saw that some cadets had done it. I heard about their experiences and I was like, ‘that sounds really cool’. So, I figured I would try it out.”

What OCdt Rausch quickly discovered is that training isn’t just about the time in the air, It’s about what you do long before the engine starts. “You learn to rely on yourself a lot. It’s very self-directed,” he explains. “You have ground school courses, but basically all of the learning you have to take your own responsibility for. You have to manage your own time.”

And then came the moments that every pilot remembers.

Going for a first solo can be overwhelming; no instructor in the seat behind you, no one to take the controls if something goes wrong. For OCdt Rausch, that moment was unforgettable. “It’s intense,” he reflects. “But it’s also exhilarating. I didn’t even have a driver’s license. I had never been in control of a vehicle by myself without anyone supervising — and then suddenly you’re hurtling through the air.”

Later, completing a solo cross-country flight brought a different kind of confidence. Not just flying the aircraft, but planning, navigating, and executing a flight entirely on his own. “It was very scary. But it was exhilarating,” he says. “It’s a feeling you’d relive for sure. It was really neat to kind of just go on your own trip.”

Along the way, OCdt Rausch learned something just as important as how to fly: preparation matters.

Looking back, his advice to cadets is direct: “If you get a chance to do ground school, do any sort of familiarization flying, gliding — whatever your Squadron offers — engage with that 100%. Ask lots of questions. Learn as much as you can. It is the enthusiastic, interested cadets that’ll make it far in that program.”

257 RCACS is proud to recognize OCdt Rausch; proof that initiative, commitment, and enthusiasm can take you from watching others achieve their wings… to earning your own.

02/26/2026

An unforgettable evening of tradition and camaraderie ✨🍽️

Yesterday evening, cadets from 257 Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron joined 744 Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron for a joint Mess Dinner, a night that highlighted the values of respect, professionalism, and esprit de corps.

From shared laughs to meaningful moments, it was a great opportunity to strengthen connections between our squadrons while celebrating the customs that make the Cadet Program and Royal Canadian Air Force so unique.

Thank you to everyone who made the evening such a success and thank you to the guests of honour, Mr. George Brewster and Mr. Greg Sumner, for giving your support to your local family of Air Cadets.

02/25/2026

Huge thank you to Ladysmith Search and Rescue for stopping by and delivering such an awesome presentation to 257 RCACS!

Our cadets (and even the officers 👀) loved meeting K9 “Hutch” and learning more about the incredible work your team does, along with getting a close-up look at the specialized equipment you use in the field. We are proud to see Hutch rocking our squadron’s patch in his every day work.

Thank you for everything you do to keep our community safe, we truly appreciate your time and dedication!

📸 Sgt Alorah Kerridge, Cadet Correspondent
✍️ Sgt Rhys Bouwmeester, Asst Cadet Correspondent

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Un immense merci à l’équipe de recherche et de sauvetage de Ladysmith pour sa visite et sa présentation exceptionnelle auprès du 257e Escadron!

Nos cadets (et même les officiers 👀) ont adoré rencontrer Hutch, le chien policier, et en apprendre davantage sur le travail remarquable de votre équipe, ainsi que sur l’équipement spécialisé que vous utilisez sur le terrain. Nous sommes fiers de voir Hutch arborer fièrement l’écusson de notre escadron au quotidien.

Merci pour tout ce que vous faites pour assurer la sécurité de notre communauté ; nous vous remercions sincèrement de votre temps et de votre dévouement!

📸 Sgt Alorah Kerridge, Correspondant cadet
✍️ Sgt Rhys Bouwmeester, Correspondant adjoint des cadets