(21 photos) A surprise for Capt Mullins

Captain Steven Mullins got a very big surprise yesterday.

Mullins is the commanding officer of the 155 Borden Gray G.C. Royal Canadian Air Cadets Squadron.

He thought the big news out of Saturday's annual review at the Pine Street armoury was his squadron being named the top air cadet squadron in Northern Ontario.

This made Captain Mullins very proud.

Since taking command of the local squadron just last year, he's led it to also win two top band awards and a best-in-class award.

But yesterday, Mullins found out that his squadron members are as proud of him as he is of them, when it was announced that he's one of only four Ontario air cadet officers to win an Air Force Association Award for Distinction this year.

It's the highest award an Air Force Association member can receive at the provincial level.

Mullins received a standing ovation for it, too, as well as a hearty cheer from his squadron.

He received the award for years of exemplary service to his community as a youth leader in Boy Scouts of Canada as well as in air cadets and other activities.

Reviewing officer for the 67th annual review yesterday was Flight Lieutenant (Ret.) Edward Penner.

After inspection and awards, the squadron ably demonstrated why it won the top air cadet pipe and drum band, top air cadet brass, and reed band and band competition for best class "C" band for Northern Ontario this year.