Royal Canadian Air Force

The Canadian Air Force (CAF) was established in 1920 as the successor to a short-lived two-squadron Canadian Air Force that was formed during the First World War in Europe. John Scott Williams, MC, AFC, was tasked in 1921 with organizing the CAF, handing command over later the same year to Air Marshal Lindsay Gordon.[7] The new Canadian Air Force was a branch of the Air Board and was chiefly a training militia that provided refresher training to veteran pilots.[8][9] Many CAF members also worked with the Air Board's Civil Operations Branch on operations that included forestry, surveying and anti-smuggling patrols.[10] In 1923, the CAF became responsible for all flying operations in Canada, including civil aviation. In 1924, the Canadian Air Force, was granted the royal title, becoming the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). Most of its work was civil in nature; however, in the late 1920s the RCAF evolved into more of a military organization. After budget cuts in the early 1930s, the air force began to rebuild.

Two armourers of No 440 Squadron RCAF re-arming a Hawker Typhoon in the Netherlands, 1944

During the Second World War, the RCAF was a major contributor to the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan and was involved in operations in Great Britain, Europe, the north Atlantic, North Africa, southern Asia, and with home defence. By the end of the war, the RCAF had become the fourth largest allied air force.[11] During WWII the Royal Canadian Air Force was headquartered in 20-23 Lincolns Inn Fields, London. A commemorative plaque can be found on the outside of the building.

After the war, the RCAF reduced its strength. Because of the rising Soviet threat to the security of Europe, Canada joined NATO in 1949, and the RCAF established No. 1 Air Division RCAF consisting of four wings with three fighter squadrons each, based in France and West Germany. In 1950, the RCAF became involved with the transport of troops and supplies to the Korean War; however, it did not provide RCAF combat units. Members of the RCAF served in USAF units as exchange officers and several flew in combat. Both auxiliary and regular air defence squadrons were run by Air Defence Command. At the same time, the Pinetree Line, the Mid-Canada Line and the DEW Line radar stations, largely operated by the RCAF, were built across Canada because of the growing Soviet nuclear threat. In 1957, Canada and the United States created the joint North American Air Defense Command (NORAD). Coastal defence and peacekeeping also became priorities during the 1950s and 1960s.

In 1968, the Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Canadian Air Force and Canadian Army were amalgamated to form the unified Canadian Forces. This initiative was overseen by then Liberal Defence Minister, Paul Hellyer. The controversial merger maintained several existing organizations and created some new ones: In Europe, No. 1 Air Division, operated Canadair CF-104 Starfighter nuclear strike/attack and reconnaissance under NATO's 4 ATAF; Air Defence Command: operated McDonnell CF-101 Voodoo interceptors, CIM-10 Bomarc missiles and the SAGE radar system within NORAD; Air Transport Command: provided strategic airlift for the NATO and UN Peacekeeping missions; and Training Command. Aviation assets of the Royal Canadian Navy were combined with the RCAF Canadair CP-107 Argus long-range patrol aircraft under Maritime Command. In 1975, the different commands, and the scattered aviation assets, were consolidated under Air Command (AIRCOM).

An RCAF CIM-10 Bomarc missile on a launch erecter in North Bay. Viewed as an alternative to the scrapped Avro Arrow, the Bomarc's adoption was controversial given its nuclear payload.

On 9 November 1984, Canada Post issued "Air Force" as part of the Canadian Forces series. The stamps were designed by Ralph Tibbles, based on an illustration by William Southern. The 32¢ stamps are perforated 12 x 12.5 and were printed by Ashton-Potter Limited.[12] In the early 1990s, Canada provided a detachment of CF-18 Hornets for the air defence mission in Operation Desert Shield. The force performed combat air patrols over operations in Kuwait and Iraq, undertook a number of air-to-ground bombing missions, and, on one occasion, attacked an Iraqi patrol boat in the Persian Gulf.

In the late 1990s, Air Command's CF-18 Hornets took part in the Operation Allied Force in Yugoslavia, and in the 2000s, AIRCOM was heavily involved in the Afghanistan War, transporting troops and assets to Kandahar. Later in the decade-long war, AIRCOM set up a purpose-specific air wing, Joint Task Force Afghanistan Air Wing, equipped with several CH-146 Griffon and CH-147 Chinook helicopters, CC-130 Hercules, CU-161 Sperwer and leased CU-170 Heron UAVs in support of the Canadian Forces and ISAF mission. The wing stood down on 18 August 2011.

From 18 March to 1 November 2011, the RCAF was engaged in Operation Mobile, Canada's contribution to Operation Unified Protector in Libya. Seven CF-18 Hornet fighter aircraft and several other aircraft served under Task Force Libeccio as part of the military intervention.

An RCAF CF-18 Hornet during Operation Impact, 2015. CF-18s have been used by the RCAF since 1983.

On 16 August 2011, the Government of Canada announced that the name "Air Command" was being changed to the air force's original historic name: Royal Canadian Air Force (along with the change of name of Maritime Command to Royal Canadian Navy and Land Force Command to Canadian Army). The change was made to better reflect Canada's military heritage and align Canada with other key Commonwealth countries whose military units use the royal designation.[13] The RCAF adopted a new badge in 2013, which is similar to the pre-unification RCAF badge (although placed in the modern frame used for command badges). The Latin motto of Air Command – Sic itur ad astra – which was the motto of the Canadian Air Force when first formed after the First World War (before it became the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1924) was retained. Though traditional insignia for the RCAF was restored in 2015, there has been no restoration of the traditional uniforms or rank structure of the historical service (apart from a rank of "Aviator", which replaced that of "Private" in 2015).[14]

On 17 April 2014, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced that Canada was dispatching six CF-18s and military personnel to assist NATO in operations in Eastern Europe.[15]

An RCAF CC-150 Polaris refueling two CF-18 Hornets near CFB Borden

Airbus CC-150 Polaris

Second-hand Airbus A310 transports purchased in 1992 for use as strategic transports and air-to-air tankers to replace the Boeing CC-137. Two have been converted to tankers and are designated the CC-150T. One is permanently configured for VIP transport; five aircraft are operated by 437 Squadron based at 8 Wing Trenton, Ontario.

Airbus CC-295

Twin-turboprop tactical search and rescue aircraft first delivered in December 2019 as the replacement for the DHC-5 Buffalo.

BAe CT-155 Hawk

Single-engined lead-in fighter trainer leased in 2000. 16 aircraft in service, based at 15 Wing Moose Jaw, SK and 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alberta.

Beechcraft King Air C-90B

Multi-engine training aircraft. Leased to RCAF by Allied Wings, 7 aircraft are based at Portage la Prairie, MB.

An RCAF C-17 Globemaster III at Calgary International Airport

Boeing CC-177 Globemaster III

Five strategic airlifters operated by 429 (T) Squadron based at 8 Wing Trenton, Ontario. Four were delivered from 2007 to 2008, a fifth was delivered in 2015.[16]

Bombardier CC-144 Challenger

Utility and VIP transport aircraft first delivered in 1982. Early Challenger 600 and 601 models were supplemented by 604 models in 2002. Four aircraft are operated by 412(T) Sqn and based in Ottawa, but belong to 8 Wing Trenton.

Canadair CT-114 Tutor

Entered service in 1962 as a basic and advanced jet trainer with 190 originally ordered, replaced by the CT-156 Harvard II and CT-155 Hawk in 2000. A total of 26 aircraft remain in service, 24 of which are used by 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, "The Snowbirds".

DHC CC-115 Buffalo

A Twin-engined utility/cargo transport now used for search and rescue. Six are operated by 442 Transport and Rescue Sqn. at 19 Wing Comox, BC.

DHC CC-138 Twin Otter

A twin-engined utility transport operated since the 1970s, four remain based at Yellowknife, NT, operated by 440 Transport Squadron.

DHC CT-142 Dash 8

Twin-engined converted regional airliner entered service in 1987 as an aerial navigation and tactics trainer, Four are operated by 402 "City of Winnipeg" Sqn and stationed at 17 Wing, Winnipeg, MB

Grob 120A

Single engine primary trainer used to train pilot candidates before they move onto the Harvard II. Leased to RCAF by KF Defence Programs, 14 aircraft are based at 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School in Portage la Prairie, MB.[17]

An RCAF CC-130H Hercules on approach to Winnipeg James Richardson International Airport

Lockheed CC-130H Hercules

Four-engined tactical transport. Several versions have been operated since 1960. Remaining CC-130Hs used for search and rescue and air-to-air refuelling. 8 aircraft remain in service,[17] five of which have been converted to air-to-air tankers. Based at 14 Wing Greenwood, NS, 8 Wing Trenton, ON and 17 Wing, Winnipeg, MB.

Lockheed CP-140 Aurora

Four-engined maritime patrol aircraft based on the American Lockheed P-3 Orion; entered service in 1980, 18 aircraft now based at 19 Wing Comox, BC and 14 Wing Greenwood, NS.[17]

Lockheed Martin CC-130J Super Hercules

Four-engined tactical airlifter replacing earlier Hercules variants in that role.[18] A total of 17 are in service operated by 436 (T) Squadron based at 8 Wing Trenton.[19]

McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet

An RCAF CF-18 Hornet during the Bagotville Air Show

Fighter entered service in 1982 when 98 single-seat CF-18As and 40 two-seat CF-18Bs were ordered. Seventeen have been lost since 1984.[20] Stationed at 3 Wing Bagotville, Quebec and 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alberta; 60 CF-18As and 25 CF-18Bs remain in active service.[17][21]

Ex-RAAF McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornets

2 of 18 ex-RAAF F/A-18 delivered in 2019 and more will arrive in next few years to supplement the existing CF-18 jets.

Raytheon CT-156 Harvard II

Single-engined trainer leased from CAE Inc. to replace the Canadair CT-114 Tutor. 24 aircraft based at 15 Wing Moose Jaw, SK

Bell CH-139 JetRanger (Model C or III)

Single-engined utility and training helicopter. Ordered for 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School at CFB Portage la Prairie, MB; an older variant (CH-136 - Jetranger A model), was used by Regular Forces in CFB Lahr in Germany and in Canada from 1972 - 1995 which were replaced by CH-146 Griffons. 12 aircraft remain, leased from Allied Wings, used for flight training in Portage la Prairie, MB.

Bell CH-146 Griffon

An RCAF CH-146 Griffon providing close air support for units of the Afghan Armed Forces, and ISAF

A utility transport tactical helicopter (UTTH) that entered service between 1995 and 1997. Original purchase of 100 aircraft to replace the CH-136 Kiowa (Bell 206), CH-135 Twin Huey (Bell 212), CH-118 Iroquois (Bell 205), and Boeing C-Model Chinooks CH-47C. Based at Bagotville, Quebec (439 Squadron), St. Hubert, Quebec (438 Squadron), Cold Lake, Alberta (417 Squadron), Gagetown, New Brunswick (403 Squadron), Valcartier, Quebec (430 Squadron), Goose Bay, Newfoundland (444 Squadron), Edmonton, Alberta (408 Squadron), and Borden, Ontario (400 Squadron); also perform search and rescue duties at 8 Wing Trenton (424 Squadron). Deployed to Afghanistan to provide escorts for the Chinooks, armed with a combination of 7.62mm C-6 machine gun, 7.62mm Dillon Aero M134D Gatling gun, and GAU-21 .50 caliber machine gun on one or both doors.[22][23][24] 9 ex-RCAF Griffons, designated CT-146, are leased from Allied Wings for pilot training at Portage la Prairie, MB.

AgustaWestland CH-149 Cormorant

Triple-engined search and rescue helicopter that replaced the CH-113 Labrador. Fourteen delivered between 2000 and 2002. Based at (103 Squadron) 9 Wing Gander, Newfoundland; (413 Squadron) 14 Wing Greenwood, Nova Scotia; and (442 Squadron) 19 Wing Comox, British Columbia. One aircraft has been lost in a training accident.

Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone

A CH-148 Cyclone in flight

Ship-based transport/anti-submarine helicopter based on the Sikorsky H-92 Superhawk. Twenty-eight ordered to replace the Sea King from 2009. Delays pushed first delivery to 2015.[17]

Boeing CH-147F Chinook

The CH-147F Chinook is an advanced, multi-mission, medium to heavy-lift helicopter. Its primary mission is the tactical transport of equipment and personnel during domestic or deployed operations. 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, under the command of 1 Wing Kingston, Ont., and based in CFB Petawawa, Ont., was re-established as the home of Canadaʼs fleet of 15 CH-147F Chinooks. The first two airframes underwent intensive operational test and evaluation in the United States for several months before Canada received the first airframe 147303 at an official acceptance ceremony at the Ottawa International Airport on 27 June 2013.[25][26][27] 15 aircraft are in service as of 2017.[17]

The 1 Canadian Air Division serves as the operational command and control of Air Force activities and is commanded by Major-General J.P.A. Pelletier. The commander of 1 Canadian Air Division also serves as the commander of the Canadian NORAD Region, and as the Joint Force Air Component Commander for the Canadian Joint Operations Command.

2 Canadian Air Division (2CAD) is primarily responsible for training and education throughout the RCAF. It is currently commanded by Brigadier-General Mario Leblanc.[33] From 2011 to 2013 the commanding officer was Brigadier-General Martin Galvin.[34] The initial announcement of the Division, published after it was created on June 25, 2009, said:[35]

Brigadier-General Rick Pitre assumed command of the Canadian Force’s most recent formation, the newly established 2 Canadian Air Division/Air Force Doctrine and Training Division in a formal ceremony at 17 Wing, Winnipeg on Thursday, June 25. The Air Force has embarked on what Brig. Gen. Pitre calls “a new and exciting chapter in our rich air force history.” Commander 2 Canadian Air Division is now responsible for all Air Force doctrine, individual training and education. In addition to the Canadian Aerospace Warfare Centre located at 8 Wing Trenton, Brigadier General Pitre will oversee the conduct and management of training establishments at: 15 Wing Moose Jaw, 16 Wing Borden, and a new Air Force Training Centre comprising several Air Force schools and training institutions. In addition, he will have oversight of training conducted by the Prairie Cadet Region.

• 2 Wing Toronto – based at CFB Toronto, the wing was in closed 1996; Denison Armoury remains in use as the headquarters for the Canadian Army's 4th Canadian Division.
• 7 Wing Ottawa – based at CFB Ottawa, the wing was in closed 1995; the facilities are presently used by the Canadian Armed Forces as Canadian Forces Support Unit (Ottawa).
• 18 Wing Edmonton – based at CFB Edmonton, the wing included 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, 418 "City of Edmonton" Squadron, 435 Transport Squadron, 440 Transport and Rescue Squadron, and 447 Transport Squadron before it was closed in 1994; the facilities were transferred to Land Force Command (later the Canadian Army), although 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron remains based at CFB Edmonton (formally part of 1 Wing Kingston).[37]

• Air Wing Kandahar, Afghanistan (stood up 6 December 2008, flew first mission 6 January 2009). The organization was composed of four units:
  • Canadian Helicopter Force (Afghanistan):
    • Six – CH-147D Chinook heavy-lift helicopters
    • Eight – CH-146 Griffon tactical support helicopters – armed
    • (Six – Mil Mi-8 medium-lift helicopters – see below)
    • (Four - Mil Mi-17-V5 medium-lift helicopters designated as CH-178.[38]
  • Theatre Support Element
    • CC-130 Hercules tactical transport aircraft;
  • Canadian Heron UAV Detachment
    • Heron unmanned aerial vehicle
  • Canadian TUAV Squadron
    • CU-161 Sperwer unmanned aerial vehicle

As the tasking authority responsible for the Canadian Contracted Air Transport Unit, the wing commander provided advice, co-ordination and supervision over its six leased Mi-8 medium lift helicopters. The air wing had about 450 personnel, serving with the Theatre Support Element in the Persian Gulf region and the Tactical UAV Flight at Kandahar Airfield. The wing officially stood down on 18 August 2011.

Senior non-commissioned appointment of the Royal Canadian Air Force
Canadian Forces chief warrant officer	Chief warrant officer of the RCAF/ command, group chief warrant officer	Command, group, formation, wing, base chief warrant officer

Equivalent NATO code	OR-9						OR-8		OR-7		OR-6						OR-5						OR-4				OR-3		OR-2						OR-1
Canada (Edit)
	Chief warrant officer						Master warrant officer		Warrant officer		Sergeant						Master corporal						Corporal				Aviator (trained)		Aviator (basic)						Aviator (recruit)
	Adjudant-chef						Adjudant-maître		Adjudant		Sergent						Caporal-chef						Caporal				Aviateur (formé)		Aviateur (confirmé)						Aviateur (recrue)

On 1 April 2015, the rank structure and insignia changed.[39] The rank of private was replaced with that of aviator. The previously used term "leading aircraftman" was considered not to be gender neutral.[40] Insignia were also changed from golden yellow to a pearl-grey colour similar to that worn before unification of Canada's Armed Forces in 1968.[40] A revival of the former rank titles of the RCAF did not occur, however, as such an extensive change was considered "too complicated and confusing".[39] Instead, the current rank titles were retained (with the exception of aviator). The Royal Flying Corps, considered to be a predecessor of the RCAF, used rank titles similar to the existing rank titles of the RCAF.[40]

1941–1946
(Women's Division)

1968–2013

2013–present

Past versions of the badge used by the Royal Canadian Air Force, with the years they were in use listed above

The badge of the Royal Canadian Air Force consists of:[41]

• St. Edward's Crown
• An eagle superimposed on a circlet
• A compartment of maple leaves
• Motto: Sic Itur Ad Astra (Latin for "Such is the pathway to the stars")

Roundels used from 1920 until 1945 were usually the same as Royal Air Force roundels although not all variations were used and colours were matched to locally available paints.

• 
  1945–1946
• 
  1946–1965
• 
  Canadian Centennial
  1967 variant
• 
  1965–current
• 
  Current
  low-vis