Riverwood Air Squadron represent Australia at Pearl Harbour parade
Newly crowned state champions Riverwood Air Squadron will proudly represent Australia at the Pearl Harbour Memorial Parade in Hawaii.
The Express
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Riverwood Air Squadron are marching to the beat of success — they are the largest in the Australian Air League and are gaining a growing reputation overseas.
Their cadets will become the first squadron from Australia to take part in the annual Pearl Harbour Memorial Parade in Hawaii on December 7.
The Riverwood Air Squadron has links to World War II, with its hall once being a part of the US Army 118th field hospital during WWII and it is the last remaining structure of that vintage in the area.
The squadron’s commanding officer, Chris Bailey, joined them as a 10-year-old cadet and now his son, Jake, 16, is enjoying the unique spirit of this group which has more than 100 members.
“Our aim is the foster the spirit of aviation among the youth of Australia,” said Mr Bailey, a former police officer.
“We have a strong connection to the community with our cadets doing incredible work.”
The Riverwood cadets warmed up for their Hawaii debut by winning the recent AAL State Championship in the field/marching section.
“The cadets were rewarded for their training by picking up first place in the junior section drill, flight drill, squad drill, best band, best drum major,” Mr Bailey said.
They also took out other prizes, including solo snare drumming, solo tenor drumming and solo bugler, capping it off by winning the coveted Best Squadron in Field award.
“The training and preparations our cadets have undertaken will stand them well when they head overseas to Hawaii for the 78th Pearl Harbour Memorial Parade,” Mr Bailey said.
“It will be a great honour for our cadets to be involved in the parade and commemoration ceremonies.”
The founder of the Australian Air Wing was George Robey, who was awarded the DCM for bravery at the landings on Gallipoli on April 25, 1915.
“After the war, his son Keith wanted to learn about the new interest which was aviation but nothing was available here at that time,” Mr Bailey said.
“So George and his army mates got together and formed the Australian Air League in 1934, so they could teach the youth about aviation.
The Riverwood unit was opened in 1957 as Herne Bay Squadron — the name of the suburb at that time. The suburb was renamed Riverwood in 1958.
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Mr Bailey, who has a vast knowledge not only of aviation but also of the area, said about 490 buildings dating back to the US Army’s field hospital base have been demolished or relocated.
“Riverwood is now the biggest in the AAL thanks to our members spreading the word around and attending many community events, including Anzac and Remembrance Day services,” Mr Bailey said.
My Bailey is also proud that several cadets have received community honours with Robert Devitt, the squadron’s second in charge, taking the 2019 Canterbury Bankstown Council Citizen of the Year Award.
After taking part in the Pearl Harbour Memorial Parade, the Riverwood squad will undertake a three-day education program at the Pacific Aviation Museum.
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One of their treats will be sleeping two nights on the battleship USS Missouri, which Mr Bailey said “will be a memorable and life changing experience for the cadets”.
“We are seeking the support of the community to help raise funds to subsidise the cadets,” he said.
The Riverwood Air Squadron offers training to youth in aviation, navigation, aircraft construction, leadership development, discipline, teamwork, public speaking, Duke of Edinburgh’s award, music, marching bands, aircraft model making, simulators and glider flying.
They meet every Friday from 7pm at their hall at Bland Oval, Bonds Rd, Riverwood (near M5 overpass).
Details: 0414467987 or riverwoodhornets@hotmail.com