Honours and Awards Program
(Manitoba)

• The Air Cadet League of Canada (Manitoba) Inc. recognizes individual and groups of members who contribute to the ongoing goals of the Manitoba Air Cadet Program. Nominations for deserving participants are welcome. more...

National Awards

• The Air Cadet League of Canada Medal of Honour is the highest Award that can be granted to a League Member.

• The Department of National Defence award in appreciation of the meritorious manner in which the person as a member of the ACL stimulated interest in the Air Cadet Movement through service to the Royal Canadian Air Cadets.

• The President's Citation is awarded to recognize a Member's extraordinary contribution above that which earned him the Certificate of Honour or a nomination for the Medal of Honour.

• Awarded to Members of the Air Cadet League of Canada in recognition of outstanding service.

• Awarded to League Members at the National, Provincial and Local levels for meritorious service over a period of time.

• Awarded to non-Members of the Air Cadet League of Canada in recognition of their dedicated support of the Air Cadet Movement.

Honourary Awards

Honourary Air Marshall Award
(Manitoba)

• The Air Cadet League of Canada (Manitoba), Honourary Air Marshall Award is presented from time to time to individuals recommended to the Board of Directors for their exceptional personal achievements which have motivated and inspired the youth of Manitoba.

  The award is presented at the Honours and Awards Dinner in the presence of distinguished members of the community and other invited guests.

  The Award was introduced in 2008.

  RECIPIENTS: 2008 - current

   

Individual Member Awards

Douglas Inglis Service Award
(Manitoba)

• The Air Cadet League of Canada (Manitoba) Incorporated, Distinguished Service Award is limited to individuals who have been members of the Air Cadet League of Canada for at least ten years and who have had, in the opinion of the selection committee, a significant and continued impact on the advancement of the Air Cadet Program through development, instruction, service or a combination of the three over an extended period of time.
• The award was introduced in 2007 and consists of a certificate with the citation specified by the selection committee and approved by the ACL (MB) Executive Committee. The Award was renamed in 2013 in honour of the first recipient Douglas Inglis.
• The award is granted without regard to age, sex or nationality. The award need not be given each year.
• Members may be nominated to the Honours and Awards Committee no later than 1 August of each year. Nominations, in letter format, must be signed by at least two members of the Provincial Committee and should include a narrative outlining the nominee's contribution. A nomination for the distinguished service award that is not awarded will remain for 3 years.
• 
  RECIPIENTS: 2007 - current

Meritorious Service Award
(Manitoba)

• The Meritorious Service Award recognizes outstanding meritorious service to the Manitoba Air Cadet Program by a Cadet Instructor Cadre Officer.
• The award was introduced in 2008 and consists of a suitable certificate with the following citation:
• “IN RECOGNITION AND APPRECIATION OF MERITORIOUS SERVICE TO THE MANITOBA AIR CADET PROGRAM”
• Any member of the Cadet Instructor Cadre, who has contributed to the Manitoba Air Cadet Program, whose activities are exceptional because of the member's dedication performance and length of continuous service, is eligible for the award.
• Members with suitable qualifications may be nominated to the Honours and Awards Committee no later than 1 August of each year. Nominations, in letter format, must be signed by at least two members of the Provincial Committee and should include a narrative outlining the nominee's contribution. A nomination for the meritorious service award that is not awarded will remain for 3 years.
• The award is normally presented annually. Presentation may be withheld if the Honours and Awards Committee determines that no suitable candidate has been nominated. The award can be presented to a recipient only once in a lifetime.
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  RECIPIENTS: 2008 - current

 Squadron Sponsoring Committee
"E.M. (Brad) Bradshaw" Award
(Manitoba)

• The Meritorious Service Award recognizes outstanding meritorious service to the Manitoba Air Cadet Program by a Cadet Instructor Cadre Officer.
• The award was introduced in 2008 and consists of a suitable certificate with the following citation:
• “IN RECOGNITION AND APPRECIATION OF MERITORIOUS SERVICE TO THE MANITOBA AIR CADET PROGRAM”
• Any member of the Cadet Instructor Cadre, who has contributed to the Manitoba Air Cadet Program, whose activities are exceptional because of the member's dedication performance and length of continuous service, is eligible for the award.
• Members with suitable qualifications may be nominated to the Honours and Awards Committee no later than 1 August of each year. Nominations, in letter format, must be signed by at least two members of the Provincial Committee and should include a narrative outlining the nominee's contribution. A nomination for the meritorious service award that is not awarded will remain for 3 years.
• The award is normally presented annually. Presentation may be withheld if the Honours and Awards Committee determines that no suitable candidate has been nominated. The award can be presented to a recipient only once in a lifetime.
• 
  RECIPIENTS: 2008 - current

Annual Squadron Awards

Most Proficient Squadron
"Edward Vopni" Award
(Manitoba)

• Awarded to Manitoba's most proficient Squadron during a specific training year. Honouring Mr. Edward Vopni's service with the Manitoba Air Cadet League from 1948 until 1957.
• More about Ed Vopni may be found at the Chairmen's Biographies page.
• 
  RECIPIENTS: 1974 - current

Community Involvement
"Harold Steele" Award
(Manitoba)

• Awarded annually to a Manitoba Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron for Proficiency in Cadet Training and Good Citizenship.
• More about Harold Steele may be found at the Chairmen's Biographies page.
• 
  RECIPIENTS: 1995 - current

Most Proficient Rural Squadron
"Captain Kenneth Young" Memorial Award
(Manitoba)

• Awarded annually to the Most Proficient Air Cadet Squadron in Manitoba's Rural Area.
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  RECIPIENTS: 1969 - current

Most Improved Squadron
"Dorothy (Dot) Wowk" Memorial Award
(Manitoba)

• Awarded annually to the most improved squadron in Manitoba.
• This Annual Award is presented in memory of Dot Wowk's 34 year involvement with the Air Cadet League of Canada. Her legacy of community participation and citizenship continues through the thousands of cadet graduates whose lives were touched by Mrs. Wowk.
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  RECIPIENTS: 1994 - current

Most Proficient Recruiter
"Wing Commander Walter A. Mildren, CD" Award
(Manitoba)

• Awarded annually to the squadron in Manitoba that recruits and retains the largest number of cadets.
• Instituted in 2005, this Annual Award is presented to recognize the efforts and dedication of the most proficient squadron in attracting youths to their organization and retaining their interest and enthusiasm with a challenging and interesting program.
• More about Wing Commander Mildren can be found at the Chairmen's Biographies page.
• 
  RECIPIENTS: 2005 - current

Annual Air Cadet Proficiency Awards

"Frederick Ernest Pink" Memorial Trophy
(Manitoba)- Trophy Retired in 2017

• Awarded to the top Manitoba Air Cadet on the Power Pilot Course.
• A 'super' supporter of Air Cadets, Fred Pink passed away in 1967, while serving as Honourary Treasurer of the Manitoba Provincial Committee of the Air Cadet League of Canada. He served as Chairman of the Sponsoring Committee of #177 Air Canada Squadron, and Chairman of the House Committee of #3 Wing, which was comprised of the 7 City of Winnipeg Air Cadet Squadrons. He was educated in Winnipeg and joined the Canadian National Railway in 1921. In 1938 he transferred to Trans Canada Air Lines. At the time of his passing Fred Pink was Director of Air Canada's Winnipeg maintenance base. He contributed greatly to the Air Cadet Organization because of his contacts in the aviation industry.
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  RECIPIENTS: 1986 - 2017 (Retired)

"Alen T. Hansen"  Trophy
(Manitoba)

• Awarded to the Top Manitoba Air Cadet - Glider Pilot Course.
• A long time supporter of the Air Cadet Program, Alen Hansen was born in New Zealand and trained as a Wireless Air Gunner in Canada in 1943 before going overseas. After several ground jobs he completed OTU on Wellingtons just prior to Wars end. Returning to New Zealand he decided to emigrate to Canada and attended the University of Manitoba gaining a Business Management certificate. Determined to be a pilot he trained when able gaining his Airline Transport Pilot Licence four years later. After a period of Bush flying he began flying for Trans Canada Pipelines inspecting thousands of miles of pipelines and logging over 20,000 hours of flying time.
• Alen was part of the Manitoba Provincial Committee of the Air Cadet League for twenty-four years, active in the Gliding Program. He was President of the Wartime Pilots' and Observers' Association in 2006-07, also he was Chairman of the Flying Committee with the Winnipeg Flying Club for eight years, as well as, a founding member of the Manitoba Aviation Museum.
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  RECIPIENTS: 1973 - current

"Major William Shinnan" Bursary
(Manitoba)

• Awarded to the Top Manitoba Air Cadet - Glider Pilot Course.
• A long time supporter of the Air Cadet Program, Alen Hansen was born in New Zealand and trained as a Wireless Air Gunner in Canada in 1943 before going overseas. After several ground jobs he completed OTU on Wellingtons just prior to Wars end. Returning to New Zealand he decided to emigrate to Canada and attended the University of Manitoba gaining a Business Management certificate. Determined to be a pilot he trained when able gaining his Airline Transport Pilot Licence four years later. After a period of Bush flying he began flying for Trans Canada Pipelines inspecting thousands of miles of pipelines and logging over 20,000 hours of flying time.
• Alen was part of the Manitoba Provincial Committee of the Air Cadet League for twenty-four years, active in the Gliding Program. He was President of the Wartime Pilots' and Observers' Association in 2006-07, also he was Chairman of the Flying Committee with the Winnipeg Flying Club for eight years, as well as, a founding member of the Manitoba Aviation Museum.
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  RECIPIENTS: 1973 - current

"J.W. Stickney" Trophy
(Manitoba)

• Awarded to the Top Northern Manitoba Air Cadet - Glider Pilot Course.
• Cadets from Manitoba squadrons located north of the 51st Parallel of Latitude are eligible for this award.
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  RECIPIENTS: 1974 - current

"Flight Lieutenant Paul Wilcox" Memorial Award
(Manitoba)

• Leadership and Ceremonial Instructor Course
  (formerly the Senior Leader's Course until 2011)
• In the mid-1960's F/L Paul Wilcox served as Manitoba/NW Ontario's Area Cadet Officer (Air), a job in which he excelled. Following his three years as ACO (Air) F/L Wilcox flew 'T-Birds' out of RCAF Station Rivers. He was killed in a crash in 1967 while on a low level photo mission over Riding Mountain National Park.
• 
  RECIPIENTS: 1985 - current

"Officer Cadet Robert Hansen, S.C." Memorial Trophy
(Manitoba)

• Awarded to the top Manitoba Air Cadet on the Introduction to Leadership Course (formerly the Junior NCO Course)
• 
  In recognition of an act of conspicuous courage in circumstances of great peril. The Star of Courage was awarded to Officer Cadet Robert Hansen and Captain Gary Fulton who gave their lives on 31 May 1976. Shortly after takeoff from Runway 12 at Regina Airport a wild duck was ingested resulting in immediate engine failure. Rather than abandon their crippled jet aircraft over a populated area the crew elected to divert it away from the city thus sacrificing vital seconds and altitude. Both Officers were fatally injured when insufficient altitude remained for a safe ejection.
• 
  Robert Hansen SC, 1956-1976. Robert served with 220 Red River (Winnipeg) Squadron AC. In 1972 he was the top graduate from the three prairie provinces on the Junior NCO Course, was selected the most proficient Squadron NCO in 1972-73, completed flying scholarship training in 1973 and received Manitoba's highest Gliding award for glider pilot graduates in 1974. He was the Squadron Warrant Officer prior to enrolling in the air arm of the Canadian Forces in October 1974.
• 
  Robert Hansen is buried at Brookside Military Cemetery in Winnipeg within sight and sound of one of the locations, which gave him stimulus in life - one of the busiest runways at Winnipeg International Airport.span>
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  The award includes a bursary of $200.00. The amount will be increased an additional $200.00 if the recipients continue as an Air Cadet until reaching their nineteenth birthday.span>
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  RECIPIENTS: 1977 - currenta>

George Evans Trophy
(Manitoba)

Awarded to the Top Manitoba Air Cadet - Advanced Aviation Technology Course - Aircraft Operations.

Mr. George Evans was a long time civil Air Traffic Controller and is a strong supporter of the Air Cadet Program. More on Mr. Evans at our biography page

RECIPIENTS: 2011 - current

 

Jack and Mabel McPhedran Memorial Bursary
(Manitoba)

Awarded to the Top Manitoba Air Cadet - Advanced Aviation Course.

The family of Mr. and Mrs. Jack McPhedran provided a donation to establish the Jack and Mabel McPhedran Bursary to be awarded to the top rural Manitoba cadet on the Advanced Aviation Course. The bursary is $150.

RECIPIENTS: 2012 - current

500 (City of Winnipeg) Wing Trophy
(Manitoba)

Awarded to the top Manitoba Air Cadet on the Advanced Aviation Course.

Presented by the 500 (City of Winnipeg) Wing of the Royal Canadian Air Force Association.

RECIPIENTS: 2013 - current

Annual Air Cadet Competition Awards

Past Chairmen's Award
Manitoba Effective Speaking Competition
(Manitoba)

The aim of the Effective Speaking Competition is to provide an opportunity for Air Cadets to increase their self-confidence; and increase their ability to reason, organize and express ideas. The program started as part of the celebrations for the 50th Anniversary of the Air Cadet League of Canada in 1991 although Manitoba did not have a candidate that year.

Cadets from participating Manitoba Squadrons compete for the Past Chairmen's Award and the opportunity to represent Manitoba Air Cadets at the National Effective Speaking Competition usually held in conjunction with the Air Cadet League of Canada's National Annual General Meeting.

RECIPIENTS: 1991 - current

Wing Commander T.F. (Tommy) Cooper OBE CD,
Competition
(Manitoba) - award retired in 2008

AWARD RETIRED The competition is no longer held due to conflicts with the present Air Cadet Training Program.

Participating Squadrons competed for the Tommy Cooper Trophy signifying the top Manitoba Squadron, with a complement of 50 cadets or more, in drill and deportment at the Golden Falcon event. The previous years 30 April Average Registered Cadet Population will be used to determine a squadron's population.

Tommy Cooper was a Boy entrant to the Band of the Gloucester Regiment in the World War I era. He later joined the Canadian Air Force as a mechanic. During WW2, he led the Central Band of the RCAF, as well, as being the Commanding Officer of #8 Repair Depot in Winnipeg. He was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his war time service.

After the war he was Commanding Officer of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets #3 Wing, 1946-1957. #3 Wing was comprised of the 7 City of Winnipeg Air Cadet Squadrons, with headquarters at Ellice and Ferry Road. The Wing was disbanded in 1971.

A civilian pilot, he was a member of the Winnipeg Flying Club for many years. Wing Commander Cooper passed away at his retirement home in White Rock B.C in the 1980's.

RECIPIENTS: 1977 - 2008

Golden Falcon Provincial Sports Competition
(Manitoba) - award retired in 2008

AWARD RETIRED The competition is no longer held due to conflicts with the present Air Cadet Training Program.

Groups of cadets from Manitoba Squadrons competed for the Golden Falcon Trophy signifying the most proficient Flight in the scheduled sporting events. A limited number of cadets from each squadron attended dependent upon the facilities used for that annual event. The Saturday's activities included the sporting competitions with a cadet dance in the evening. The Sunday's activities included Drill Competitions and a formal parade with a senior dignitary as Reviewing Officer; the parade was followed by a presentation banquet. The event was usually held over the May long weekend.

RECIPIENTS: 1995 - 2008

Glen Elwood Drill Competition
(Manitoba) - award retired in 2008

AWARD RETIRED The competition is no longer held due to conflicts with the present Air Cadet Training Program.

Participating Squadrons competed for the Glen Ellwood Trophy signifying the top Manitoba Squadron, with a complement of 49 cadets or less, in drill and deportment at the Golden Falcon event. The previous years 30 April Average Registered Cadet Population was used to determine a squadron's population.

This Manitoba Air Cadet Squadrons' Drill Competition was named in honour of Squadron Leader Glenmore Benjamin Ellwood, DSO DFC and bar (1918 - 27 March, 1999) of Portage La Prairie. He was a navigator in Bomber Command with 405 and 617 squadrons. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in June 1941. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross on 4 October 1943; the Distinguished Service Order on 29 September 1944; and the bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross on 23 November 1945. He flew four bombing mission tours for a total of 120 missions and was one of only three Canadians to survive the war with that many tours of operations.

Squadron Leader Ellwood was an active and strong supporter of the Air Cadet Program in Portage La Prairie.

RECIPIENTS: 2000 - 2008

Gilbert Eaton Competition
(Manitoba) - award retired in 2013

AWARD RETIRED The competition is no longer held due to conflicts with the present Air Cadet Training Program.

Participating Manitoba Air Cadet Squadrons competed for the Gilbert Eaton Trophy signifying the top Manitoba Squadron in Marksmanship.

Mr. Gilbert Eaton was the second Chairman of the Manitoba Provincial Committee of the Air Cadet League of Canada. More on Mr. Eaton is available at the Chairmen page of this site.

The Gilbert Eaton Trophy was presented for Air Cadet Marksmenship using the .22 calibre rifle until 1986; it was reincarnated in 2008 to recognize marksmenship competitors in the Air Rifle competitions.

RECIPIENTS: 1961 - 2013

Telly Mercury, Q.C. Memorial Award
Manitoba Air Cadet Bugle Competition
(Manitoba) award retired in 2011

AWARD RETIRED The competition is no longer held due to conflicts with the present Air Cadet Training Program.

The aim of the Manitoba Air Cadet Bugle Competition was to increase the awarness of the music program in the Air Cadet Movement; and to provide an opportunity for individual Air Cadet Musicians to increase their self-confidence.

Cadets from participating Manitoba Squadrons competed for the Telly Mercury, Q.C. Memorial Award and the opportunity to perform at Manitoba Air Cadet events such as Golden Falcon.

RECIPIENTS: 2010 - 2011