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Squadron History
Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron Eric Simms was formed in 1954 with the support of Canadair. The Squadron was originally formed to serve the English speaking employees and their families. This was the first time an industrial company had sponsored a squadron in the Montreal area. The officers were drawn from Canadair employees who had previous military service, and all of the recruits had to be sons of an employee (this is before girls were allowed to join Cadets). The Squadron was originally housed in the Flight Hangar, Plant 2. The Squadron quickly gained an inevitable reputation within the Air Cadets community, quickly growing to over 115 Cadets. The Squadron’s vision was based on Eric Simms dream of forming a squadron of young men who would be trained in the art of good citizenship through the medium of the Air Cadet League of Canada.
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In 1998 the Squadron’s name was changed to 588 Bombardier Aerospace, as Canadair was acquired and merged into Bombardier’s operations. In 2009, the Squadron’s name was changed once again to the current name, 588 Eric Simms, in recognition of its founder and first Commanding Officer, Squadron Leader Eric Edward Simms.
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The Squadron Crest was designed to reflect the vision of its founder Eric Simms, and the close ties that the Squadron has to the Saint-Laurent community.
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The Grill (red and gold strips) represents the long-standing ties the Squadron has had with Ville de Saint-Laurent. This grill was taken from the original Coat of Arms of the Saint-Laurent community that was in use when the Squadron was founded.
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The Cogged Wheel symbolizes the industrial nature of the Saint-Laurent Community and the roots of 588 Eric Simms. The squadron was originally formed as 588 Canadair Squadron. The squadron was the first air cadet group in the Montreal area to be sponsored by an industrial concern. Its officers were drawn from Canadair (an aircraft manufacturer) personnel with Air Force experience and all of its cadets were required to be sons of Canadair employees.
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The Albatross has been a long-standing symbol of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets and the Air Cadet League of Canada. The Albatross is represented on the crest in recognition the close ties held between both organizations and the Squadron’s first Commanding Officer, Eric Simms.
The Canadian Cornet (Crown featuring the Maple Leaf) is an adaption of the traditional British duke’s coronet. This symbolizes the long-standing ties the Royal Canadian Air Cadets has had with the British Monarchy, with Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh having served as the Air Commodore-in-Chief of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets since 1953.
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The Motto “Youth with a Purpose” written across the ribbon harkens back to the philosophy of the Squadron’s namesake, Eric Simms, who believed that organizations like the Royal Canadian Air Cadets should train the future citizens, men of tomorrow – for tomorrow, capable of helping Canada to continue as a world leading nation. Our goal is to develop within our cadets a sense of a common purpose to become the better citizens and leaders of tomorrow.