On March 7, 1955, the Air Cadet League of Canada chartered "604 Moose Squadron" and that same month the provincial chairman of the Alberta Air Cadet League officiated at the inauguration ceremonies. Chairman Art Smith said the new squadron, the third in a proposed air cadet wing of 225 boys and girls, was but another link in the strong chain of similar formations in Alberta.
At the time, Alberta had 2,600 volunteer air cadets, the largest group per capita in Canada. 604 Moose Squadron has come a long way since then, and on March 7, 2005, will celebrate its Golden Anniversary. Those 50 years have been exciting for the squadron, its cadets and officers, and the driving force behind their many successes over the decades has been personal and team achievement. 604 Moose Squadron has developed a close tie to the Regular Forces Squadron in Cold Lake responsible for international training of fighter pilots.
419 Moose Squadron was formed in December 1941, at Mildenhall, Suffolk, under the leadership of Wing Commander John "Moose" Fulton. Until its demobilization on September 5, 1945, it was one of the most decorated units of the Royal Canadian Air Force. Since its inception, the program has offered a wide range of high calibre, specialized training, including first aid, Alberta hunter training, bush and river survival, self-defence, rifle skills, photography and amateur radio.
In 1979, the squadron formed its own marching band and its rifle and sports teams have won several provincial awards. For a number of years the squadron ranked within the top five units in Alberta, topping the province in 1982-83. Many cadets, in fierce competition with other Alberta air cadets, have earned scholarships, and some have distinguished themselves even more. For example, Cadet M. Bonham received the highest mark on the flying scholarship in Canada while D. Armstrong received the highest mark in Alberta. Not only that, but 604 Moose Squadron had the first female cadet, C. Morrow, to achieve the highest mark on the flying scholarship in Alberta. She was also the first female cadet in Calgary to be awarded the Para Rescue Wings.
604 Moose Squadron continues to have an extremely busy training schedule in all the mandatory subjects: drill, general cadet knowledge, principles of flight, airframe structures, propulsion, navigation, meteorology, citizenship, leadership, range, effective speaking, survival, instructional technique, and physical fitness. Extra activities of 604 Moose Squadron include assisting the north Calgary Royal Canadian Legion 264 branch with its annual poppy sales, weekend campouts (including winter survival exercises), sports day, and drill competitions.
They also hold regular summer camps. Each year, qualifying cadets can compete for scholarships in senior leadership courses, technical training, athletic leadership, gliding and flying, survival instruction, air traffic control and international exchange. One of the greatest achievements for any air cadet squadron-one that many never enjoy-came to Calgary's 604 Moose Squadron in 1982, when it became only the second air cadet squadron in Canada to have its own airplane. "The Flying Moose" is a rebuilt four-seat Cessna 172 Skyhawk, the famous high-winged classic that over the years has become the backbone of civilian aviation as well as a popular trainer.
How did a group of cadets get its own plane? Hard work mostly, though it also came with more than a little financial help from their friends at 264 Legion and 783 Wing Air Forces Association of Canada. Back then, the 604 Moose Squadron had approximately 130 members and boasted seven flying instructors-five of whom took full flying scholarships as air cadets themselves!
Today The Flying Moose continues to provide flight-training opportunities, which are unavailable to other squadrons. The 604 Moose Squadron is sponsored by the 604 Moose Parent Sponsoring Committee with support from #264 Royal Canadian Legion and 783 Wing Air Forces Association of Canada.
