It is still a year away, but the plans are already in place for a centennial celebration for the Royal Canadian Air Force.

April 1, 2024 will mark the 100-year-anniversary of the RCAF and Col. Maggie Jacula explained to media May 25 at CFB Comox that various events are planned, including highlighting the work of honorary colonels within their communities across Canada.

鈥淐omox is going to be looking to have some events in April with the local museum, another version of the RCAF run... (and some) initiatives to refurbish the air park here,鈥� said Jacula. 鈥淭he intent for the centennial is to celebrate our history and heritage while inspiring future generations of Canadians; we really want to have so Canadians learn more about the air force.鈥�

Jacula added the goal of the centennial celebration is awareness.

鈥淲hen you look at the Air Force now, some of the stories we鈥檙e going to tell are all the different men and women of different backgrounds, different trades, different ranks, all of those sorts of stories. In the past - and they are fabulous stories that need to be told - but we tended to focus on planes and pilots and we鈥檙e really going to make sure with the centennial that we鈥檙e highlighting all the other people who also contribute to the Air Force.鈥�

Honorary Colonel of 19 Wing Comox Robert Quartermain, who helps bridge the relationship between the business community and the Wing, explained part of the centennial celebration would be centred around the Heritage Air Park.

He added many people in the community benefit by going and enjoying the park, but the goal is to refurbish some of the aircraft on display.

He is also assisting with the DeHavilland Vampire Mark III project, with the goal of bringing the wood aircraft into public display at the park with the construction of a pavilion.

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Honorary Colonel for the RCAF Loreena McKennitt said when she reflects on the history of the Air Force, there is much more than just combat.

鈥淭here鈥檚 peacemaking, there鈥檚 sovereignty patrol, there鈥檚 search and rescue, there鈥檚 transport, and of course the disaster relief domestically and internationally. So when one is talking about the history of the RCAF, one may primarily first go to what was accomplished in the contribution of the wars. But in actual fact, there鈥檚 been so much and there is every single day. So much that goes on to protect and serve Canadians.鈥�

With her position, McKennitt added one of her goals is to bring awareness and appreciation to what the Air Force is doing every day.

鈥淚鈥檓 a firm believer that democracy does not thrive as a spectator sport 鈥� we鈥檙e living in dangerous, challenging and exciting times.鈥�

For more information about events leading up to the centennial, visit rcaf2024arc.ca.

photos@comoxvalleyrecord.com
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