ABNCC receives drones, training equipment from Gowing Family

Antigua and Barbuda: Retd Lt Col Ronald F Gowing, past Director of Aerospace Education at the Cadet Youth Development Center, under the CTAP (Cadet Training Assistance Project), with assistance from his granddaughter, Retd Air Sgt Beth Ann Gowing, made a presentation to the Antigua and Barbuda National Cadet Corps.

The Administration of the ABNCC, represented by Commandant Maj Alando Michael and his Staff Officers, were on hand and Cadets and Parents were to witness and share in the handing over Ceremony. The Chief of Defence Staff accepted the gifts on behalf of ABNCC.

The ABNCC has experienced Christmas in June, where the gifts of drones and other training equipment were a timely and greatly appreciated donation. CTAP is a community outreach programme designed and manned by community-minded citizens promoting education and positive youth development based in Ontario, Canada. CTAP has generously donated the training manuals and equipment seen with the shipped heavier items. These items will be assembled by other members of CTAP and conclude the first part of the technical assistance offered.

This partnership began on one of Lt Col Gowing’s visits to Antigua when he inquired if there was a local Cadet Corps, and in 2019, he met the ABNCC and introduced himself and his granddaughter at the T. N. Kirnon School. In early 2020 the areas of common interest, including STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) training and CVQ (Caribbean Vocational Qualification), were discussed. With these ideas firmly embedded, in 2021, active communication was initiated through Maj. Michael, Commandant.

With the ABNCC Air Wing launch, these items will be highly utilized to offer diverse training opportunities for the youngesters of Antigua and Barbuda.

The ABNCC Administration expresses its profound gratitude to Retd Lt Col Gowing, his family and the CTAP donors and volunteers for fulfilling the ABNCC initial training requirements, especially that of the newly launched Air Wing.