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396 Squadron History

The 'City of Prince George' Squadron has been fortunate to have/had sponsors, officers, and instructors whose prime interest has been to provide facilities and gentle leadership guidance that encouraged the cadets to run their own show. Senior cadets make decisions (within policy guidelines), and form the majority of the instructor's cadre. Learned leadership theory is put into practice. The cadets have been encouraged to provide for themselves rather than simply become the recipients of handouts. Over the years, they (with help) have raised funds to provide a 13-acre lakeshore survival training area, a flight simulator-training unit, a glider, jointly owned with other northern squadrons, a glider trailer, and many other items of need. The acquisition of material goods is no indicator of the quality of training or the resulting graduates. However, tools are; needed if a proper job is to be done.

Since the closing of the armouries in 1971, 396 Squadron had been without a place it could call home until 1982 when the Legion leased a partially burned-out school from the city. The squadron was offered a gutted third-floor area that had been condemned by the Fire Marshall. The hours of work and the money needed to make this hulk even usable was tremendous, but 396 thought they could do it – and they did! The result is one of the nicest cadet office/training areas in the province.
The job of the sponsors and training staff is to provide the best possible environment for learning so the squadron can excel both as individuals and as a group. That is the common aim and goal of the adults connected with the squadron.

How does a unit achieve these goals? Like any good recipe, there is a combination of several ingredients in differing amounts carefully mixed together. On their own, the ingredients do not spell success but properly combined they can produce splendid results. The ingredients are common enough and available to everyone. They can be very expensive, but in fact, cannot be purchased for money. Dedication towards a common set of goals which are challenging but attainable; a full measure of co-operation among everyone involved; enough sustained enthusiasm and effort to maintain interest; and sufficient, personal satisfaction and pride in the accomplishments of elicit continued participation. In short, 'Esprit de Corps!'

The success of the recipe is in the results. In its history the squadron has produced numerous Flying Scholarships; Gliding Scholarships; Senior Leader graduates; and Exchange Visit candidates. A record any group of this size can be proud of.
We have, as a squadron, fulfilled to our best, the stated aims of the Air Cadet League. Since its sparse beginnings decades ago, many hundreds of young Prince George men and women have been introduced to the obligations of citizenship, the basics of leadership. They have gained some knowledge and experience in flying and related subjects, while at the same time being kept physically active and fit. Many have gone on to serve their country with distinction in the Canadian Forces. Others have contributed significantly to the community in many ways. Most look back upon their days in Air Cadets with fondness and respect for the movement. The highest compliment we can receive is to have the son or daughter of a former cadet introduced into the squadron by their parents.

396 City of Prince George Royal Canadian Air Cadet Crest

The 396 RCACS Squadron Crest was created by a past cadet of the squadron named Paul Thobo-Carlsen.  Paul joined the squadron in 1979 at the age of 15, when the squadron was still parading out of the basement of Legion Br 43.  This was a few years before the squadron moved into the Connaught Youth Center. Below is his story on how he created the Official Squadron Crest.

When I joined the Sqn there was no official badge (crest), and because I had an interest in heraldry and dabbled in drawing I decided to take crack at creating one. I recall obtaining a generic template used for Royal Canadian Air Cadet badges (the circular frame with Maple Leaf cornet on top and motto scroll on bottom). I don’t recall where I got this template from, but probably one of the squadron officer staff at the time. In those days, well before the internet, all my research was book-based. I recall going through lots of library books and encyclopedias for ideas and inspiration. I recall seeing an old RCAF badge that featured two crossed torches. I believe it was either Training Command (Trg Comd) or it successor 14 Training Group (14 Trg Gp) (below). The meaning of lamps and torches in heraldry is learning (i.e., “enlightenment”). I thought that was a good symbol to represent a key aspect of the Air Cadets.

RCAF Training Command (1949-1958)	CAF 14 Training Group (1958-1966)

I choose an airborne gull to place in front of the torches to represent flying, a main component of the air cadet program (I was lucky enough to get both my glider and private licences through air cadets, and later my glider instructor rating as a CI). Although the typical bird used in RCAF heraldry is the eagle, I chose a gull since they were very common in PG and therefore represented the local community better in my opinion.

The latin motto, Aura Vincit, means “air conquers” or “victory through air.” This is meant to show that through flying (fam fights, glider/flying scholarships, etc.) cadets can conquer adolescent inhibitions and build confidence in their abilities.

I was fascinated to learn that, in 2011, 2 Canadian Air Division (2 Cdn Div) adopted a badge that bears remarkable similarity to the 396 RCACS badge. In fact, the 2 Cdn Div Badge also used the old Trg Comd and 14 Trg Gp badges as inspiration.

2 Canadian Air Division

Source: https://www.gg.ca/en/heraldry/public-register/project/2147 

I don’t recall the exact year that I completed this design and submitted it to the CO for consideration, but was probably 1980 or 1981.  I’m pretty sure it was approved and in unofficial use before I turned 19 in the summer of 1983. However, I don’t remember if final heraldic artist-painted version had been received by the Sqn before I “aged out” as a cadet. As I recall, the Sqn had to send my colour design drawings up the air cadet chain of command for final approval to Ottawa. I never did get an official copy of the final artist’s painting before I left PG and joined the CAF Regular Force in 1985. However, I attended a 396 Sqn reunion back in 2008. Somehow that came up an a conversation with Don Doren (former CO, from 1982-86).  A few weeks after I got back home a package arrived in the mail with a framed print of the Sqn badge. Don had just moved into a smaller home and was happy to pass on his copy of the badge to me. So now, I finally have my own copy.

I am very happy to assist 396 Sqn by providing a blazon (heraldic description) for your badge:

Badge

Blazon

Argent two torches in saltire Copper enflamed Gules surmounted by a gull volant proper.

Symbolism

The gull is bird common to Prince George. The two torches represent learning. Their number recalls the learners (junior cadets) and the instructors (senior cadets and CIC officers).

Motto

Blazon

AURA VINCIT

Symbolism

This Latin phrase means “Air conquers.”  It shows that through flying cadets can conquer adolescent inhibitions and build confidence in their abilities.

Squadron Commanding Officers