257 Parallel RCACS

06/09/2026

Congratulations to all the cadets, staff, and volunteers of 257 Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron on another successful Annual Ceremonial Review!

On Sunday, June 7th, we celebrated a year of hard work, leadership, citizenship, aviation, and unforgettable experiences. From awards to recognizing the dedication of our cadets and staff, it was a fantastic opportunity to showcase everything our squadron has accomplished this training year.

A sincere thank you to our Reviewing Officer, Major Dustin Matheson, for joining us and helping celebrate the achievements of our cadets.

Well done, 257! We can’t wait to see what next year brings. ✈️

📸 WO2 Matthew Ruiter, Cadet Correspondent, 744 RCACS
✍️ A/SLt Elliott Kinsey, Unit Public Affairs Representative

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Félicitations à tous les cadets, membres du personnel et bénévoles du 257 Escadron de cadets de l’Aviation royale du Canada pour une autre R***e cérémoniale annuelle réussie!

Le dimanche 7 juin, nous avons célébré une année de travail acharné, de leadership, de citoyenneté, d’aviation et d’expériences inoubliables. De la remise des récompenses à la reconnaissance du dévouement de nos cadets et membres du personnel, cette cérémonie a été une excellente occasion de mettre en valeur tout ce que notre escadron a accompli au cours de cette année d’instruction.

Un sincère merci à notre officier réviseur, le Major Dustin Matheson, de s’être joint à nous pour célébrer les réalisations de nos cadets.

Bravo, 257! Nous avons hâte de voir ce que la prochaine année nous réserve. ✈️

📸 Adj 2 Matthew Ruiter, correspondant des cadets, 744 ECARC
✍️ Ens2 Elliott Kinsey, représentant des affaires publiques de l’unité

06/08/2026

🌟 Another Great Community Partnership! 🌟

Real Canadian Superstore Duncan #1563 is proud to support the communities we serve.

This year, the Duncan location was one of the main sponsors of the 257 Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron in Ladysmith, BC, helping support local youth through leadership, citizenship, and community involvement opportunities.

📸 From left to right:
• Joe Sjodin, Duncan Superstore Store Manager
• Kadeen, Former Superstore Employee and 257 Air Cadet Squadeon Leader
• Alorah, Current Superstore Employee and 257 Air Cadet Flight Sergeant
• Duck Paterson, Deputy Mayor of Ladysmith

We are especially proud that the two young leaders who currently lead the squadron have a connection to our Superstore family - one is a former Real Canadian Superstore employee, and the other is a current employee. Their dedication, leadership, and commitment to serving their community are truly inspiring.

A special thank you to Store Manager Joe Sjodin for his generous support and donation. His commitment to giving back helps make a positive difference in the lives of young people in our community.

We are honoured to partner with organizations that help shape the next generation of leaders and are proud to continue supporting initiatives that strengthen our local communities.

06/06/2026

A weekend in the bush, night on the ground, and plenty of memories made. Another successful FTX in the books! 🏕️🌲

📷✍️ Alorah Kerridge, Cadet Correspondent

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

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.