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Ponoka Air Cadets close out year

Months of dedication to Ponoka’s Air Cadet program concluded with the group’s annual ceremonial review.
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Capt. Michelle Comeau takes over command of the Ponoka Air Cadets May 27 with Major Randy Fisher

Months of dedication to Ponoka’s Air Cadet program concluded with the group’s annual ceremonial review.

The event was held at the Curling Rink May 27 with Air Cadets given a chance to showcase their training to family and friends.

This year’s review was a bittersweet one as the group also said farewell to its commanding officer, Capt. Tracy Fiedler, who is moving up in the ranks of the organization. Capt. Michelle Comeau now takes charge of the cadets.

It was a proverbial passing of the torch for Fiedler who is excited at what the future will hold for herself, as well for Comeau, who has been with the Ponoka squadron for the last 18 years. “She knows this squadron probably better than anybody,” said Fiedler. “She’s the right person to do it.”

“She’s extremely dedicated to the program and to this squadron.”

Fiedler has seen Ponoka’s cadets grown over the years as well. She’s been with the Ponoka squadron for the last four years and has found everyone to be tight knit, like a family.

For her future, Fiedler is being promoted to Major and and will take on the position of Area Elemental Advisor - Air for Edmonton North. It’s a change that she hopes brings long-term benefits to the Air Cadet program.

“We’ve been so successful here, so it’s good to now be able to go and share that with a lot of squadrons. Hopefully they can find the same successes too,” said Fiedler.

And for Comeau, it’s a new experience, one that she looks forward to.

“I always like a new challenge. I’ve been here for 18 years and I started at the bottom…I’m just going to continue to keep the family feel that we have,” said Comeau.

As for the review, it’s all about presenting cadets’ skills.

“It’s their year-end parade that allows them to display in front of their family and friends,” said Fiedler.

The cadets were inspected by reviewing officer Major Randy Fisher, J3-Officer in charge of the Calgary area.

Ponoka’s Air Cadets program has 46 youths from all around central Alberta including Ponoka, Lacombe, Sylvan Lake and Rimbey.