173 ROYAL TIGER
SQUADRON
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
83rd Annual Review
1942 – 2025
07 June 2025
 
 
173 Royal Tiger Squadron History
The Squadron was granted its Charter from the Air Cadet League of Canada on October 16, 1942, and was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Trenton under the command of Flt/Lt V.P. Carswell. The squadron initially trained in the basement of the old College St. School and only young men between the ages of 14 years 8 months and 17 years 8 months were permitted to join. On October 16, 1944, Trenton High School took over as the squadron’s sponsor and remains the squadron’s sponsor to this day, 82 years later. The longest serving Commanding Officer was S/L W.G. Spencer, who was CO of 173 Squadron and principal of Trenton High School from 1945-1957. There is a strong relationship between Trenton High School and 173 Squadron, we share a home and the tiger as our mascot. From the mid 1940’s to the mid 1960’s the principal of Trenton High School also served as the Commanding Officer. In the early 1950’s until the late 1960’s it was mandatory for each student who attended Trenton High School to spend a minimum of 1 year in the squadron.
In 1955, when Trenton High School was being built, the sqn’s headquarters, offices, and range in the basement was built specifically to meet the squadron’s needs. 
Annually, the squadron presents a number of awards that honor the contributions of previous commanding officers and sponsoring committee members. 
S/Lt J.F. Rowe was the squadron’s Commanding officer from 1963-66, The award in his name is awarded annually to the junior cadet displaying the Greatest Personal Growth.
Capt J.M. Ratchford was the squadrons CO from 1991-1995. The award in his name is awarded to the best cadet of the year. 
Capt. Jeanette Lane, (Ret’d), CO from 1999-2001 and 2002-2005, and her husband, WO C. Lane sponsor the Spirit of the Tiger Award, which is presented to the cadet who demonstrates the most enthusiasm in the squadron.
Capt. Carol Harvey (Ret’d), CO from 2005-2009 sponsor the Esprit de Corps award, which is presented to the cadet with the highest squadron spirit.
The Gerry Tracz Memorial Award is awarded to the cadet who demonstrates the most dedication to the marksmanship program. CWO Tracz (Retired) served as a CIC officer with the squadron following his retirement from the RCAF.
 
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PAST COMMANDING OFFICERS
173 RC(AIR)CS
1942 – 1945    Flt/Lt V.P. Carswell
1945 – 1957    S/L W.G. Spencer, CD
1957 - 1963    S/LT .W. Spear, CD
1963 - 1966    S|LT/Lt J.F. Rowe
1966 - 1968    Capt W.M. Mack
1968 - 1969    Capt D.A. Pettigrew
1969 - 1971    Capt J.W. Kaine, CD
1971 - 1974    Capt G.L. Miluck, CD
1974 - 1976    Capt R.G. Brewer, CD
1976 - 1978    Capt T.R. Haigh, CD
1978 - 1979    Capt M. Robbie
1979 - 1982    Capt T.R. Haigh, CD
1982 - 1985    Maj M.N. Savino, CD
1985 - 1988    Capt J.D. Begg,CD
1988 - 1989    Capt D.M Cameron, CD
1989 - 1990    Capt R.D. Statia, CD
1990 - 1991    Capt K.G. Musson, CD
1991 - 1995    Capt J.M. Ratchford, CD
1995 - 1999    Maj S.E. MacLean, CD
1999 - 2001    Capt J. Lane, CD
2001 - 2002    Maj S.E. MacLean, CD
2002 – 2005    Capt J. Lane, CD
2005 - 2009    Capt C. Harvey
2009 - 2011    Capt J. Haigh
2011 - 2014    Capt T. Edwards
2014 - 2017    Capt S. Knautz, CD
2017 - 2018    Capt F. Lachapelle
2018 – 2020    Lt(N) E.M. Andersen, CD
2020 - 2022    Capt D. Woodbeck, CD
2022 - 2023    Capt D. Soo Lum
2023 -              Capt P. Paul, CD

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Reviewing Officer - Major Brittany Mayne, CD
 
Major Brittany Mayne began her journey with the Canadian Cadet Program as a member of 173 (Royal Tiger) Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron in 1999, eventually rising to the rank of Warrant Officer, First Class. Her time in the cadet program sparked a lifelong commitment to leadership and service that continues to guide her military and community involvement today.
Following her time as a cadet, she joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 2005 through the Regular Officer Training Program and earned an Honours degree in Military Psychology and Leadership from the Royal Military College of Canada. Over the course of her 20-year career, Major Mayne has held various support roles with the Royal Canadian Air Force, Canadian Special Operations Forces Command, and the Canadian Army. She has served as a Personnel Selection Officer for the past 13 years in Petawawa and was promoted to the rank of Major in 2020.
In addition to her operational duties, Major Mayne volunteers her time in support of military and civilian initiatives. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Bernadette McCann House, a shelter supporting women and children who have experienced violence, and served on the Garrison Petawawa Family Violence Advisory Team.
With the goal of further serving the CAF and her community, Major Mayne is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Industrial/Organizational Psychology at Saint Mary’s University through a CAF-sponsored graduate program, and is expected to graduate in 2026.

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173 Squadron Officers and Staff

Commanding Officer            Capt Pauline Paul, CD
Training Officer                      Capt Sarra Ostanski
Supply Officer                        CI Carolyn McColl
Admin Officer                        Capt Derrick Woodbeck, CD
Level Officer                           Capt Robin Ducharme 
Level Officer                           Capt Anthony Williams
Level Officer                           Lt Leigh-Anne Frederick
Level Officer                           OCdt Sean Fulford
CAF Support Staff                  Sgt Wayne Wilson
CAF Support Staff (Band)     Cpl Tristan Soo Lum
Supply Assistant                    CV Max Felwick
Band Instructor                     Capt Kelly Dixon

173 SPONSORING COMMITTEE
Chair                                      
Treasurer                                      
Fundraising Coordinator   Mrs. Christine Perrault
Directors                               Ms. Ashlee Clark
                                               Mr. Brandon James
                                               Mrs. Cherry Ann Soo Lum
                                               Mrs. Rachel Umbrico
                                               Mrs. Stephanie Groves
                                               Ms. Jennifer Donovan
 
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2025 PROGRAM
1230 HRS     FALL IN (ROLL CALL) 
1300 HRS     PARADE START
O CANADA
 
GENERAL SALUTE
Reviewing Officer                                     Major Brittany Mayne, CD
173 Sqn Commanding Officer               Capt   Pauline Paul, CD
Legion Br 110 Cadet liaison                   Mr. Ron Heffernan
Legion Br 110 President                         Mr. Ralph Lambert
Squadron Director                                   Mr. Craig Spencer    
Sponsoring Committee Chairperson    
Squadron Cadet Commander               WO1 Kai Halawa 
Squadron Deputy Commander             WO2 Jeri Anne Martin
Squadron Warrant Officer                      WO2 Levi Martin 
#1 Flight Commander                             WO2 Hazel Jung
#2 Flight Commander                             FSgt Vincent Potipco
Drum Major                                              FSgt Abigail Hayes
Flag Party Commander                           FSgt Avalyne James


PRESENTATION OF AWARDS 

COMMENDATIONS, AWARDS AND CERTIFICATES

LORD STRATHCONA MEDAL presentation
LEGION MEDAL OF EXCELLENCE presentation

REMARKS FROM THE REVIEWING OFFICER

REMARKS FROM 173 SQN COMMANDING OFFICER 

GENERAL SALUTE
 
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List of trophies and awards for Annual 2022

JF Rowe Memorial Trophy
This trophy is awarded to the Junior cadet displaying the Greatest Personal Growth.
Award of Excellence - Level One
This trophy is awarded to the Top Cadet in Level One.  

Award of Excellence—Level Two
This trophy is awarded to the Top Cadet in Level Two.
 
Award of Excellence—Level Three
This trophy is awarded to Top Cadet in Level Three. This award was determined by the level of performance displayed during all formal assessments conducted in Level 3.
 
Award of Excellence—Level Four
This trophy is awarded to Top Cadet in Level Four. This award was determined by the level of performance displayed during all formal assessments conducted in Level 4.
 
Spirit of the Tiger Award
This trophy is awarded to the cadet who puts the most effort and energy into the cadet program.

The 424 Squadron Survival Award
This trophy is awarded to the cadet that demonstrates a high level of proficiency in survival.

The 426 Squadron Thunderbird Air Studies Award
This trophy is awarded to the cadet that contributes the most to the flying program.

The Gerry Tracz Memorial Award
This trophy is awarded to the cadet that contributes the most dedication to the range program.

The Marksmanship Award
This trophy is awarded to the cadet that has earned the highest Aggregate shooting score.

The Music Excellence Award
This trophy is awarded to the cadet that showcases the most dedication and improvement in musical proficiency in the cadet music program. 

The Esprit de Corps Award
This trophy is voted on by the cadets and awarded to the cadet with the highest squadron spirit. 

Commanding Officers Leadership Award
This trophy is awarded to the cadet who demonstrates a high level of Leadership.

JM Ratcheford Award
This trophy is awarded to the Best Cadet of the Year.
 
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Awards and Certificates of Service    
Commanding Officers Commendation
For outstanding Leadership and Support, exemplifies the ideal qualities of a leader in the cadet program.

Royal Canadian Legion Cadet Medal of Excellence 
The Royal Canadian Legion (RCL) Medal of Excellence is awarded in recognition for individual endeavors in citizenship that meet or enhance the aims and objectives of the cadet movement. 

The Lord Strathcona Medal
The Lord Strathcona Medal is one of the highest awards which can be bestowed upon a cadet. It is awarded annually to cadets to recognize exemplary performance in physical training as well as their service, performance, example, and excellence as a cadet. The Lord Strathcona Medal, the certificate and the lapel pin are awarded through the Lord Strathcona Trust..
Certificates of Service / Service Medal Bars

Cadets that have reached their 19th birthday or have reached their senior year and are advancing to the next stage of their careers.


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High Flight

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air. . . .
Up, up the long, delirious burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or ever eagle flew —
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

John Gillespie Magee, Jr