In April 2024, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) will celebrate 100 years of existence. One hundred years of accomplishments by air force personnel; 100 years in the sky; 100 years of serving Canadians.
This year will be all about celebrating the air force’s rich history, built by those who served in the past – and by many who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.
Heritage
The RCAF was born 100 years ago to protect and preserve the freedoms of all Canadians, to contribute to global peace and security and to help those in need in Canada and abroad.
April 1, 1924, what was formerly known as the Canadian Air Force officially became the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), a permanent component of Canada’s defence force. Notable early moments in RCAF history, which helped define the RCAF’s core values, include
- September 1, 1939: as Germany attacked Poland, the RCAF was placed on active service
- December 17, 1939, an agreement to set up the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) was signed
- July 1940, the RCAF adopted its own ensign, in which the maple leaf appears in the centre of the roundel
- July 10, 1940, the Battle of Britain began
Today
The RCAF of today is an agile, integrated and inclusive national instrument of power. The beating heart of the RCAF is people: a diverse workforce of Regular and Reserve Force members and civilians who, together, form the Defence Team. That team works seamlessly to accomplish the mission.
The RCAF provides air defence, maritime patrol, search and rescue, air mobility and sustainment, aerospace control, and space capabilities to support operations at home and abroad. It is a respected military partner worldwide, providing security at home through NORAD and working with NATO allies and partners to maintain peace and stability across the globe.
Tomorrow
The RCAF of tomorrow has an exciting outlook, with a critical role in the space domain, a wide range of modernization projects, including a new fleet of fighter jets. Space is a critical part of the global security environment. The RCAF is functionally leading all efforts within the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces to ensure the continued delivery of space-based services and to enhance the resilience of the space capabilities upon which the military relies to conduct operations.
Through a diverse and highly motivated workforce, new technologies and innovation, state-of-the-art equipment and capabilities, the RCAF is ready to enter the next century of service and continue to serve Canada with distinction.
