Royal Canadian Air Cadets or 300 Biggar Squadron Air Cadets is a youth organisation which offers a set of challenges and activities to youth via the Royal Air Force. While becoming active leaders in the community, members also learn more about the Canadian Forces. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is a presentation for youth who meet the challenge presented in the fields of community service, skill development, and various challenge projects. VE5BC is their Rescue Squad Amateur Radio Club call sign. Currently the Centennial photography contest has begun for the Air Cadets.

Funding is provided by the Department of National Defence DND and the Air Cadet League of Canada ACL since 1941. Youth meet once a week on "parade night" to train according to ACL plans for each squadron which provide instruction for five levels of training. Additionally, the cadets can choose training and courses which are regionally available. Cadets have the option to be involved in summer training, introductory courses and specialty courses and may travel across the country to take part in various events.

Donald James Saunders, a member of the Royal Canadian Legion, has served 300 Biggar Squadron Air Cadets as Area Director since1966. As a teenager Victor Besse was an avid Air Cadet. During WW II he was too young to join a regular Military Service. In 1957, Vic became a Cadet Instructor and received his RCAF Pilot Officer commission. With two promotions he held this commission until his discharge in 1965.

Historically several notable people from Biggar have also served as role models for the youth in the Air Cadet Squadron. Stewart "Bud" Manyfield, was an air cadet from Biggar, Saskatchewan who served in 1941. Pilot Officer Jack Ewin McIntyre grew up in Biggar and completed high school in 1939. McIntyre served with the Royal Canadian Air Force as a wireless air gunner and received the Croix e Guerre 1940 with Palm posthumously. George William Annesley was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for fortitude and courage in the course of duty. Sergeant David Scott Fisher also born in Biggar, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal for navigating his aircraft on long flights and remained cheerful and confident and full of tenacity.

Bibliography:

"Air Cadet League of Canada". Air Cadet League of Canada. 2009. http://www.aircadetleague.com/en/abouttheleague/ourpartners/details.asp?ID=5. Retrieved 2009-11-04.


"ANDERSON, F/L Albert Erik (J10784) - Distinguished Flying Cross - No". ANNESLEY, WO (now P/O) George William (R150830/J88535). Canadian Air Force. 2009. http://airforce.ca/uploads/airforce/2009/07/ALPHA-AN.html. Retrieved 2009-11-04.
"Category:Air Cadet Organisation". Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Air_Cadet_Organisation. Retrieved 2009-11-04.


"Biography Veterans Affairs Canada". Donald James Saunders. Government of Canada. 2006-27-03. http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/general/sub.cfm?source=department/mincom/bio&recipient_id=24. Retrieved 2009-11-04.


"Club and Service Organisations". Bear Hills RDC.. October 14, 2002.. http://tbigg.sasktelwebhosting.com/bearh04.htm. Retrieved 2009-11-04.

Exerpt regarding C. Victor Besse Contributed by Lluella A. Besse

"Duke of Edinburgh Award". 2009. http://www.dukeofed.org/About/Default.aspx. Retrieved 2009-11-04. Royal Canadian Air Cadets or Biggar Air Cadets
"Ficek, F/O Peter Paul (J28386) - Mention in Despatches". FISHER, Sergeant (now F/O) David Scott (R62101/J15154). Canadian Air force. http://airforce.ca/uploads/airforce/2009/07/ALPHA-FI.html. Retrieved 2009-11-04.


"The Glenbow Museum > Archives Photographs Search Results". Constable J.O. Brown, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and Stewart "Bud" Manyfield, air cadet, Biggar, Saskatchewan.. Glenbow Museum. http://ww2.glenbow.org/search/archivesPhotosResults.aspx?XC=/search/archivesPhotosResults.aspx&TN=IMAGEBAN&AC=QBE_QUERY&RF=WebResults&DL=0&RL=0&NP=255&MF=WPEngMsg.ini&MR=10&QB0=AND&QF0=File+number&QI0=NA-3394-7&DF=WebResultsDetails. Retrieved 2009-11-04.
"Pilot Officer Jack Edwin McIntyre". Veterans Affairs Canada. 1999-25-06. http://vac-acc.gc.ca/remembers/sub.cfm?source=feature/belgium/mcintyre. Retrieved 2009-11-04.


"QRZ.COM Callsign Database". Rescue Squad Amateur Radio Club. QRZ.COM. 2009. http://www.qrz.com/callsign/SQUAD. Retrieved 2009-11-04.


"Royal Canadian Air Cadets". History Version 321485670. Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia. October 23, 2009.. http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Royal_Canadian_Air_Cadets&oldid=321485670. Retrieved 2009-11-04.



"RCSU Prairie URSC Prairie". Regional Cadet Support Unit Prairie. Air Cadet League of Canada National Defense. 2009. http://www.cadets.ca/regions/pra/home-accueil.aspx?LangType=4105. Retrieved 2009-11-04.