History
- 828 Delta Kiwanis Squadron was formed January 16, 1973 and has proudly served the community of South Delta. Since the 828's founding, it is estimated that the squadron has touched the lives of over three thousand youth from the community.
The main goal of the founders of the Squadron, the Delta Kiwanis Club, was to provide a location for young men and women to follow the footsteps of the more than 80,000 Air Cadets that came before them nationwide. The theory was simple: the Air Cadet League of Canada, along with the Department of National Defence, would teach the young people the attributes of citizenship and leadership while promoting physical fitness and interest in the Air element of the Canadian Forces. The motto of the Air Cadet movement is "To Learn, To Serve, to Advance". In the early 1980's the name of the Squadron was changed to 828 Hurricane, keeping with Air Cadet League tradition of naming squadrons after aircraft. At this time a squadron of Hurricane fighter aircraft were based at Boundary Bay Airport and it seemed appropriate for 828 to adopt that name. The 828 Hurricane Squadron motto is "Knowledge Conquers Fear".
The Squadron has had a succession of excellent Commanding Officers, including many who served with the Royal Canadian Air Force as pilots. The following is a chronological list of former Commanding Officers.
Captain Fred Glasbergen
Captain Jim Lieir
Major Mak Kinsey
Captain Wayne Dick
Captain Jack Henwood
Captain Robin Mackie
Captain Al Blakely
Captain Cal Bergenstein
Major Norm Lovitt (substantive Lieutenant Colonel)
Captain Jason White
Captain Lisa Davies (30 Nov 2004 - 27 Nov 2007)
Captain William Houle (27 Nov 2007 - 05 Jun 2012)
Captain Melissa Peel (05 Jun 2012 - 09 Jun 2015)
Captain Anny Mei (09 Jun 2015 - 18 Sep 2018)
Captain Therese Hirst (18 Sep 2018 - 30 Jun 2022)
Captain William Houle (30 Jun 2022 -)
Some of the achievements of the Squadron's Cadets and Officers include an International Air Cadet Exchanges to France and Great Britain, several Top Air Cadets in BC, many medals for top cadets for National Summer Training Courses, numerous wins at drill, first aid, marksmanship and biathlon competitions. Additional achievements of all our individual cadets are too numerous to mention but include Gold, Silver, & Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Awards and top effective speakers in the province.
Besides our regular Tuesday night training, our Squadron also provides, aircrew survival training weekends (outdoor survival), marksmanship and biathlon training, first aid, ground school and of course glider and power familiarization flying opportunities. There are also opportunities to attend summer training for durations of two, three, or six weeks during the summer months as well as summer employment for senior cadets.
Perhaps the most valuable of all the experiences that 828 Squadron cadets have is the constant and ever increasing interaction with the community of Delta. The squadron has participated in the Ladner Pioneer May Days parade and Kiwanis/Lions Pancake Breakfasts, and Remembrance Day ceremonies. The cadets have assisted in garbage clean ups, visitations to retirement centres, and support the Legion with their annual Poppy Campaign.