Squadron History

41 Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron (RCACS) was established on October 18, 1941. In 1955, the squadron embarked on a flight to Sea Island using a C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, leading to the adoption of the name “Hercules” for the squadron.

Hercules Squadron acquired a Gypsy Moth bi-wing aircraft in 1972, which was the precursor to the World War I Tiger Moth trainer. After undergoing restoration, the Gypsy Moth was donated to the Saskatchewan Western Development Museum in Moose Jaw, SK. Later, the Squadron donated a Schweizer SGS 2-33A glider to the Air Cadet League.

In 1991, Hercules Squadron celebrated its fiftieth anniversary alongside the Air Cadet League, holding a wing parade with 34 Sabre (now Roland J Groome) and 703 Optimist squadrons to honor the occasion.

In 2007, the squadron traveled to Vimy, France, to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. They returned to Europe and Vimy in 2017 to mark the 100th anniversary of this historic event.

In 2016, Hercules Squadron celebrated its seventy-fifth anniversary in collaboration with the Air Cadet League and all charter squadrons across Canada. A special celebration took place in Regina alongside 34 and 703 squadrons.

In 2017, 41, along with 34, celebrated their 75th anniversary alongside 703 squadron. Various events were planned throughout the May 26-28 weekend, including an alumni dinner with guest speaker, Lieutenant-Colonel (Ret’d) Desmond Brophy, who is a member of 41 Squadron.

2017 also marked 41’s return to Vimy, France to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the famous Battle.

Throughout the decades, Hercules Squadron has garnered numerous awards and distinctions, including The President’s Award for the Most Proficient Squadron in the years 1963, 1967, 1971, 1974, 1975, 1985, and 1995.  Additionally, in 2010, 2011, and 2012, 41 Squadron was honoured as the Top Air Cadet Squadron within the Regina Cadet Training Group.  In 2011, 2012, and 2016, it held the distinction of being the Top Squadron in the province, receiving the Premier’s Commendation for those same years. In 2017, 41 Squadron was recognized as the Top Urban Squadron, and in 2018, it received the prestigious title of Top Squadron in the Northwest Region, encompassing Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, the Northwest Territories, and Northwest Ontario.