International Air Cadet Exchange

Last updated
International Air Cadet Exchange
AbbreviationIACE
Formation11 April 1946 (1946-04-11)
Legal statusActive
PurposeTo foster international understanding, goodwill and friendship among young people who have an interest in aviation
Location
  • Worldwide
FieldsAviation
Membership (2023)
16 Official member Countries
President
Squadron Leader Rob Foley (New Zealand)
Vice President
Hille Vita (Canada)
Secretary General
Brent Wolfe (Canada)
Volunteers (2017)
500+
Website www.iacea.com
IACE Official Members 2023 IACE Official Members 2023.png
IACE Official Members 2023
International air cadets at the Britannia Royal Naval College (2003) BRNC.jpg
International air cadets at the Britannia Royal Naval College (2003)

The International Air Cadet Exchange is an annual student exchange program designed to promote character, good-will, and cooperation among the world's civilian auxiliary aviation programs. Participants come from organizations such as the Air Training Corps, Girls Venture Corps Air Cadets, Civil Air Patrol, German Society for Aeronautics and Astronautics, Royal Canadian Air Cadets, Turkish Aeronautical Association, Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps, Singapore National Cadet Corps, along with equivalent groups in other nations. Cadets spend approximately two weeks every July/August with their foreign counterparts. The first exchange occurred in 1947, between the United Kingdom and Canada. [1] [2]

Contents

During the exchange, cadets are provided housing by volunteer families and on military installations in their host nation. Scheduled activities vary depending on the host nation, but often include tours of famous landmarks and cultural institutions, tours of local aviation facilities or factories, lectures with local aviation figures and visits to military units. Financially, each nation is responsible for its own cadets, and often comes from governments, civilian aviation enthusiasts, or aerospace industry.

According to its mission statement, the Exchange exists to promote more than a love of aviation. Character development is equally important. Cadets develop a better perspective on the challenges other countries face. The friendships they make through the Exchange help the world combat hatred and intolerance. Through the Exchange, cadets grow to understand and appreciate the roles different nations play in aerospace, as well as build international understanding, goodwill, and friendship among young people who have a common interest in aviation.

Official Members List

As it is generally agreed that expansion of the Air Cadet Exchange Programme is desirable, invitations are regularly extended to additional countries. As a result, there has been a gradual expansion in the number of participating countries. Currently, membership fluctuates annually based on each country’s ability to participate.

Each member organisation is responsible for the exchange costs in its own country and for transporting their cadets and escorts to and from the host country or assembly point. Based on the value and importance governments attach to the IACE programme, military air transportation is frequently provided although some countries transport their cadets and escorts by civil aircraft, and others by ground transportation.

Past exchange locations

Australian Participants

The AAFC exchanges with the following countries – United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Singapore, New Zealand, France, South Korea, Turkey and the Netherlands.

Each year up to 35 cadets and instructors (escorts) are selected to represent the AAFC on various overseas visits. The people chosen act as ambassadors for Australia and the AAFC. Once exchange members are met at the designated entry city, they are the guests of the host organisation which will provide all accommodation, food and travel during the course of the program. The itinerary will give visitors the experience of places and cultural events not usually available to ordinary tourists.

Australia also hosts a reciprocal visit each year from the air cadet organisations AAFC visited. HQAAFC organises the event and, in addition to the visitors, a cadet from each of the other Wings is selected to attend. These tours are great fun with visits to such places as the city of Canberra, ADFA, Australian War Memorial, Australia Zoo, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Blue Mountains, Sydney Harbour, and local defence bases (which often include the opportunity to fly in Service Aircraft).

US Participants

CAP Cadets who attend IACE are awarded this ribbon Iace.gif
CAP Cadets who attend IACE are awarded this ribbon

Perhaps the premier National Cadet Special Activity of the Civil Air Patrol, IACE is an opportunity for two weeks of international travel to countries around the world and meet cadets of other cadet aerospace organizations. A CAP Cadet must have a minimum grade of Cadet Captain (Amelia Earhart award) to apply for IACE. CAP, the U.S. Air Force, and the host country cover the cost of meals, lodging, and airfare. Each participant is responsible for the cost of parts of his/her IACE uniform, an activity fee, and other incidentals.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coast guard</span> Maritime security organization

A coast guard or coastguard is a maritime security organization of a particular country. The term embraces wide range of responsibilities in different countries, from being a heavily armed military force with customs and security duties to being a volunteer organization tasked with search and rescue without law enforcement authority. In most countries, a typical coast guard's functions are distinct from those of the navy and the transit police, while in certain countries they have similarities to both.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Search and rescue</span> Search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger

Search and rescue (SAR) is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger. The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, typically determined by the type of terrain the search is conducted over. These include mountain rescue; ground search and rescue, including the use of search and rescue dogs ; urban search and rescue in cities; combat search and rescue on the battlefield and air-sea rescue over water.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Police Cadet Corps</span> Uniformed group in Singapore

The National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) is one of the national uniformed group for youths between age 13 to 17 in Singapore. The organisation is supported by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Home Affairs. Established in 1959, it trains young boys and girls in the values of law enforcement and public safety.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Awards and decorations of the Civil Air Patrol</span> Recognitions for members of the United States Air Force Auxilary

The awards and decorations of Civil Air Patrol are "designed to recognize heroism, service, and program achievements" of members of Civil Air Patrol (CAP) of the United States of America. The CAP is the official auxiliary of the United States Air Force. These awards are made to improve the esprit de corps of members. These awards are all worn in the form of medals or ribbons and all are considered civilian decorations. Civil Air Patrol regulations allow them to only be worn and displayed on appropriate CAP uniforms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australian Air League</span>

The Australian Air League (AAL) is a not-for-profit, civilian operated aviation youth organisation in Australia. Its objective is to encourage the spirit of aviation and air-mindedness in the youth of Australia. The Australian Air League receives no money or assistance of any government department and is entirely self-funded. Its Latin motto is A Vinculo Terrae. The official patron of the Australian Air League is aviation journalist Jeff Watson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Border guard</span> Government service concerned with security of national borders

A border guard of a country is a national security agency that performs border security. Some of the national border guard agencies also perform coast guard and rescue service duties.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australian Air Force Cadets</span> Youth military organisation of the Royal Australian Air Force

The Australian Air Force Cadets (AAFC), known as the Air Training Corps (AIRTC) until 2001, is a Federal Government funded youth organisation. The parent force of the AAFC is the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Along with the Australian Army Cadets (AAC) and the Australian Navy Cadets (ANC), it is part of the Australian Defence Force Cadets.

Sea cadets are members of a cadets youth program sponsored by a national naval service, aimed for young people with an interest in waterborne activities and or the national navy. The organisation may be sponsored in whole or in part by the navy or a naval supporter's organisation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps</span>

The Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps is a voluntary uniformed group subsidised by the Home Affairs Bureau of the Hong Kong government and is registered under the Societies Ordinance as a non-profit making charitable organisation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australian Defence Force Cadets</span> Military unit

The Australian Defence Force Cadets (ADFC) consists of three Australian Defence Force affiliated, community-based, youth development organisations of approximately 27,834 cadets and 4,405 cadet staff in 579 units and squadrons across Australia. Coordination of the Australian Defence Force Cadets is via the ADF HQ unit called Reserve and Youth Division, with Commander ADF Cadets - directly accountable to VCDF. The ADFC is funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Defence, in partnership with the community.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Civil Air Patrol</span> Civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force

Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is a congressionally chartered, federally supported non-profit corporation that serves as the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force (USAF). CAP is a volunteer organization with an aviation-minded membership that includes members from all backgrounds. The program is established as an organization by Title 10 of the United States Code and its purposes defined by Title 36.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue beret</span> Blue-colored berets and organizations that use them

A blue beret is a blue-colored beret used by various military and other organizations, notably the United Nations peacekeepers who are sometimes referred to as the Blue Berets.

This article describes the use of the beret as part of the uniform of various organizations. The use of the beret as military headgear is covered in a dedicated article, Military beret.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oregon Wing Civil Air Patrol</span>

The Oregon Wing is one of six wings that comprise the Pacific Region and one of 52 wings in the Civil Air Patrol. It serves as the headquarters for Civil Air Patrol units in the state of Oregon. Oregon Wing headquarters is located in Eugene, Oregon. The wing itself oversees nearly 500 cadet and adult members serving with 13 squadrons or flights across the state of Oregon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rhode Island Wing Civil Air Patrol</span>

The Rhode Island Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the highest echelon of Civil Air Patrol in the state of Rhode Island. Rhode Island Wing headquarters are located in Cranston, Rhode Island. The Rhode Island Wing consists of over 170 cadet and adult members operating from 6 locations across the state of Rhode Island.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Utah Wing Civil Air Patrol</span>

The Utah Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) is the highest level of Civil Air Patrol in the state of Utah. Its headquarters is located in Salt Lake City, Utah. As of 2014, Utah Wing consists of over 750 cadet and adult members in 14 locations across the state of Utah.

Members of Civil Air Patrol are assigned various ranks, the titles and insignia of which are based on those used by the United States Air Force. Each grade and insignia corresponds to an equivalent United States Air Force enlisted rank insignia and an equivalent officer rank insignia.

Cadets or cadet corps are voluntary youth programs sponsored by a national military service or ministry of defence. These programs are aimed to provide youths with activities associated with military or paramilitary training, including drills, physical fitness, and education. Although these youth organisations are modelled after their sponsoring military service, they do not form a part of these services nor do they constitute a military service in their own right.

References

  1. "Air Cadets - International Air Cadet Exchange". 2021-06-14. Archived from the original on 2021-06-14. Retrieved 2024-01-26.
  2. "About | IACEA". iacea.com. Retrieved 2024-01-26.