Local air cadets cheer on former member Jeremy Hansen during Artemis II launch

A squadron where Hansen served in his teen years took inspiration from NASA's launch on Wednesday evening.

Cheers filled the room at Fanshawe College Wednesday night as Jeremy Hansen’s former London Air Cadet Squadron watched Artemis II blast off into space.

Hansen joined the 614 Squadron at the age of 12. He spent seven years in the program and earned his glider pilot license at the age of 17.

“It’s a really great connection for these young people to have with Colonel Hanson,” said Capt. Travis Buckle of the 614 Air Cadets Squadron. “I think that he really shows them that the work that they’re doing now matters, and that when they commit their minds to a goal, extraordinary things can happen.”

Many of the young cadets say they are thinking of following in Hansen’s footsteps.

“It makes me think that this is only one of the many successes that will come to the squadron,” said 17-year-old Aeryn Gonzales. “I think that maybe the hardest thing was part of his route of getting to where he is now and I’d like to think that there’s a lot more that the squadron is going to provide for the world.”

“I think it’s really cool,” added cadet Lily Ellis. “One day this could be one of us so it’s pretty fun to experience that.”