The changing of the guard had a young man following in his father’s footsteps – and maybe a little bit beyond.
Austin Habing, 17, was promoted to warrant officer first class of 187 Foothills Air Cadets Squadron on March 12 at the High River Airport.
“My father stopped cadets when he almost made warrant officer,” said Austin. “Now that I have surpassed him as cadet, it means I have the stepping stones to go beyond.”
Austin’s father Capt. Reid Habing may have stopped being a cadet temporarily while growing up in British Columbia, but he came back to become the commanding officer of the Foothills squadron for nearly a decade, before being killed in a single vehicle car accident in February at the age of 42.
“When he came here [Cayley] he said: ‘This is cadets, I want to be part of it,’” said Austin, a Grade 12 student at Highwood High School. “My dad worked hard with the cadets, and I have been following in his footsteps ever since… He was the head honcho, he controlled the officers and the cadets. If there was a problem, dad was the one the cadets talked to.”
Austin admits he and dad have similar styles and idiosyncrasies.
“There’s not much difference between us – the fact I have hair is probably the only one,” Austin said with a smile. “My personality is very, very similar to my father. I was always close to my mother [Natasha] but everything I have done in my life – the way I lead, the way I do cadets, the way I present myself, the way I learn, even the ADD I get from my father.
“I enjoyed what my father did, and I liked the way he taught. I want to adopt his techniques as my own.”
Although Austin being named warrant officer made the evening an emotional one – there were plenty of tears being shed – the promotion was not a sentimental choice.
His father knew of the promotion, as it was made prior to his death. Reid was not part of the merit review board that chose to promote his son.
“My dad was working in the next office over when he found out I was going to be Squadron 1 officer,” Austin said. “He knew two weeks before his accident. We were able to talk about it – he was very proud to see I had surpassed him as a cadet. He was very happy to see that.”
His dad’s strength helped Austin get through an emotional evening when he was promoted.
“My dad and I when put in a situation have been able to do what we needed to,” Austin said. “Tonight I was worried I wouldn’t be able to do what I needed to do, but I got in my uniform, got in position and I was able to get through it.
“I knew this would be a hard night, if not the hardest I have ever known.”
Paula Groenwold was commanding officer during the ceremony. She was deputy commander under Reid Habing.
She teared up when she officially swore the young Habing in as new warrant officer.
“It was very emotional, I knew Captain Habing for many years – I can feel him here with his son taking over the squadron,” Groenwold said. “Austin went through the ranks, he is an instructor here, a staff cadet, it’s all because the work he puts in.
“He has a very kind heart. Warrant Officer Austin Habing will be a good cadet commander…
“He does take after his father.”
Habing replaces Ben Smith from Okotoks as warrant officer.
