14 Wing Greenwood had the honour of representing the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), alongside 299 Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron, RCAF Game Force, and RCAF Attractions; during the Congrès Mondial Acadien (CMA)’s l’Échange – the people’s space; a three-day program August 13 to 15 of performances, workshops, vendors and exhibitions held at Yarmouth’s Mariners Centre. The RCAF booth, a popular stop for youth attending the event, featured two CF18 Hornet fighter aircraft simulators, a virtual reality CT114 Tutor (Snowbird) experience station, information on the history of Acadian military contributions, special appearances by the RCAF’s mascot, Astra; and a variety of RCAF centennial swag.
The RCAF’s presence celebrated the important contributions Acadians have made to the Canadian Armed Forces and the RCAF, but also was an opportunity to recognize the bravery, resilience and vitality of those Acadians who surmounted cultural and linguistic barriers in order to serve in Canada and around the world through the past one hundred years.
The RCAF held special events on the CMA’s centre stage every day of l’Échange. August 13, historian Ronald Cormier spoke on Acadian service in the RCAF during the Second World War. August 14, 14 Wing Commander Colonel Jeff Davis, with incoming Wing Commander Colonel Luc Vachon and Wing Chief Warrant Officer Jonathan Proulx, presented special edition RCAF centennial coins to 10 deserving Acadians, part of the 100 Coins to 100 Canadians initiative. August 15, the 14 Wing Greenwood Band gave two performances, one at the Mariners Centre and another at Yarmouth’s cenotaph.
The RCAF booth also received a visit from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the final day of l’Échange.
