121 Red Arrows, Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron meet every Tuesday 18:30 to 21:30 from September to June at the Guelph Armoury.
Based in Guelph, we are a youth organization that is committed to developing our youth for the future. Cadet training involves aviation studies, citizenship, leadership, effective speaking, outdoor survival, sports, band, drill, and air rifle marksmanship.
121 Squadron has many optional training opportunities including a Drill Team, Pipe Band, Marksmanship Team, and Sports Teams.
Air Cadets also have the opportunity to take part in further aviation studies, leading to Glider Scholarships, and Power Flight Scholarships and, ultimately, some cadets can go on to obtain their pilots license.
The 121 Red Arrows Squadron is currently under the command of Captain Scott Stuart.
Squadron History
The Air Cadet program started in Guelph in the spring of 1942, approximately 1 year after the Air Cadet League of Canada received a Dominion Charter to operate. At that time the Y’s Men’s Club completed an application to form an Air Cadet Unit, who were to use facilities provided by the YMCA. This application was approved on March 24, 1942 and the 121 Guelph Squadron was formed. In the following two days approximately 100 applications were submitted to join the new Guelph Air Cadet Unit.
Air Cadet training at that time included: administration, airframes, aero-engines, signals, first aid, aircraft recognition, armament, knots and splices, physical training, foot drill, rifle drill, anti gas, theory of flight, navigation, map reading, and mathematics.
In a 1949 a request was made to change the designation of the Squadron to 121 City of Guelph Squadron RCAC. This designation remained until 1986, when former Warrant Officer Sheri Dingman received a letter of congratulations on obtaining her wings for power flying from the Royal Airforce’s Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows. An idea was formed to call the Squadron after the Red Arrows Aerobatic team. Permission was received however a restriction was imposed that their crest could not be used by the Squadron. Bob Hamilton, an officer with the Squadron designed the crest which is still in use today.