South Surrey’s Wayne Heal has a busy summer ahead.
Heal has been named the commanding officer of the Albert Head Cadet Training Centre that will train more than 800 sea, army and air cadets this summer.
"I'm looking forward to giving the cadets a very rewarding experience…teaching them citizenship and leadership and getting them in a position where they have a fun safe environment to learn and to grow," he said.
The lieutenant-colonel has been a member of the Cadet Instructor Cadre branch of the Canadian Armed Forces for 33 years. For the past decade, Heal has operated the Lower Mainland cadet gliding program, giving thousands of young people their first flying experience.
Heal, who has worked in air traffic control as a civilian, previously served as the chief ground school instructor and power scholarship commander at Comox Cadet Flight Training Centre, helping young air cadets earn their pilot’s licence.
At Albert Head Cadet Training Centre, which is attached to Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt on Vancouver Island, Heal will oversee courses that include band, basic training, drill and ceremonial, physical fitness and survival.