'We should be thankful': New exhibit at Calgary military museums highlights the first 100 years of the RCAF
April 1 marks the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).
In Calgary, the Air Force Museum of Alberta marked the occasion by opening a new exhibit celebrating the 100th anniversary of the RCAF.
Located in the Founders’ Gallery at Calgary’s Military Museums, the People of Canada’s Air Force: 100 Years exhibit honours the men and women in who wore the RCAF uniform over the last century.
Curator Alison Mercer says she wants people to know that while many were heroes, they were more often ordinary people who behaved extraordinarily in exceptional circumstances.
“The tenacity and the commitment and the skill of everyone that I've researched here over the years, over this past 100 years, it’s just incomparable,” Mercer said.
Honorary Col. Andrew Abbott of the 409 Tactical Fighter Squadron, based in Cold Lake, Alta., said as the RCAF enters its second hundred years, it remains as important as it ever was in securing our country’s sovereignty.
“I think that the Air Force will stand the test of time. I think we will have an inspiring group of next-generation Canadians as part of the Air Force. And that could mean pilots, or people actually operating drones (that) are flying into space,” said Abbott.
“We should be thankful to them, they operate 24/7 taking care of the defence of Canada, (for example) The Search and Rescue aspect of actually making sure Canadians stay safe. You know, we take for granted, I think. Our Air Force is there for us all the time, and it's pretty special."
Following the exhibit opening at the military museum, The RCAF flag was raised in front of Calgary’s City Hall.
That was followed by the flypast of an RCAF aircraft known as The Gonzo. The Gonzo is a heavily modified De Havilland Dash 8 modified to meet Department of National Defence (DND) requirements.
A 100-year legacy
The Royal Canadian Air Force was born out of the RAF (Royal Air Force) in WWI when Canadian aviators flew alongside the British against the Germans.
It was comprised of a full-time permanent force, a part-time non-permanent force and a reserve of non-active personnel.
The RCAF first saw action 16 years later in an air battle against the Nazi Luftwaffe, in WWII.
“In times of war and peace, members of the RCAF have shown unwavering courage. The Second World War marked the first significant challenge for the RCAF, with over 200,000 Canadians joining the Air Force to fight against tyranny and fascism,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement commemorating the 100th anniversary.
“Since then, generation after generation of Canadians have served – from Afghanistan to the Arctic.
“As we continue to face threats to global stability, the RCAF is more important than ever.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Is there a cost to convenience? Canada approves new cancer immunotherapy treatment
A new cancer treatment recently approved in Canada promises to cut treatment time down to just minutes, but experts have differing opinions on whether it's what's best for patients.
Air Canada walks back new seat selection policy change after backlash
Air Canada has paused a new seat selection fee for travellers booked on the lowest fares just days after implementing it.
Province boots mayor and council in small northern Ont. town out of office
An ongoing municipal strike, court battles and revolt by half of council has prompted the province to oust the mayor and council in Black River-Matheson.
3 law officers serving warrant are killed, 5 wounded in shootout at North Carolina home, police say
Three officers on a U.S. Marshals Task Force serving a warrant for a felon wanted for possessing a firearm were killed and five other officers were wounded in a shootout Monday at a North Carolina home, police said.
'Shocked and concerned': Calgary principal charged with possession of child pornography
A Calgary elementary school principal has been charged with possession of child pornography, authorities announced Monday.
Health authority confirms cockroaches at B.C. hospital, insists they 'do not bite'
The Vancouver Island Health Authority is downplaying what staff describe as a cockroach infestation in a medical unit of Saanich Peninsula Hospital.
Toronto police arrest 12 people, lay 102 charges in major credit card fraud scheme
Toronto police say 12 people are facing a combined 102 charges in connection with an investigation into a major credit fraud scheme.
Winner of US$1.3 billion Powerball jackpot is an immigrant from Laos who has cancer
One of the winners of a historic US$1.3 billion Powerball jackpot last month is an immigrant from Laos who has had cancer for eight years and had his latest chemotherapy treatment last week.
Britney and Jamie Spears settlement avoids long, potentially ugly and revealing trial
Britney Spears and her father Jamie Spears will avoid what could have been a long, ugly and revealing trial with a settlement of the lingering issues in the court conservatorship that controlled her life and financial decisions for nearly 14 years.