Royal Canadian Air Force
The Royal Canadian Air Force is the air force of Canada. Its role is to "provide the Canadian Forces with relevant, responsive and effective airpower". The RCAF is one of three environmental commands within the unified Canadian Armed Forces. As of 2013, the Royal Canadian Air Force consists of 14,500 Regular Force and 2,600 Primary Reserve personnel, supported by 2,500 civilians, and operates 258 manned aircraft and 9 unmanned aerial vehicles. Lieutenant-General Al Meinzinger is the current Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force and Chief of the Air Force Staff.
The Royal Canadian Air Force is responsible for all aircraft operations of the Canadian Forces, enforcing the security of Canada's airspace and providing aircraft to support the missions of the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Army. The RCAF is a partner with the United States Air Force in protecting continental airspace under the North American Aerospace Defense Command. The RCAF also provides all primary air resources to and is responsible for the National Search and Rescue Program.
The RCAF traces its history to the Canadian Air Force, which was formed in 1920. The Canadian Air Force was granted royal sanction in 1924 by King George V to form the Royal Canadian Air Force. In 1968, the RCAF was amalgamated with the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Army, as part of the unification of the Canadian Forces. Air units were split between several different commands: Air Defence Command, Air Transport Command, Mobile Command, Maritime Command, as well as Training Command.
In 1975, some commands were dissolved, and all air units were placed under a new environmental command called simply Air Command. Air Command reverted to its historic name of "Royal Canadian Air Force" in August 2011. The Royal Canadian Air Force has served in the Second World War, the Korean War, the Persian Gulf War, as well as several United Nations peacekeeping missions and NATO operations. As a NATO member, the force maintained a presence in Europe during the second half of the 20th century.
History
1920–1945: Pre-unification
The Canadian Air Force 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. 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. Many CAF members also worked with the Air Board's Civil Operations Branch on operations that included forestry, surveying and anti-smuggling patrols. 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. 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.in the Netherlands, 1944
World War II
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.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.
1945–1968
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. Coastal defence and peacekeeping also became priorities during the 1950s and 1960s.1968–present: Unification
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.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. 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.
, 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. 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.
The RCAF adopted a new badge in 2013, which is similar to the pre-unification RCAF badge. 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 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.
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.
Aircraft
The Royal Canadian Air Force has about 391 aircraft in service, making it the sixth-largest air force in the Americas, after the United States Air Force, United States Navy, United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and Brazilian Air Force.Fixed-wing
;Airbus CC-150 Polaris;Airbus CC-295
;BAe CT-155 Hawk
;Beechcraft King Air C-90B
;Boeing CC-177 Globemaster III
;Bombardier CC-144 Challenger
;Canadair CT-114 Tutor
;DHC CC-115 Buffalo
;DHC CC-138 Twin Otter
;DHC CT-142 Dash 8
;Grob 120A
;Lockheed CC-130H Hercules
;Lockheed CP-140 Aurora
;Lockheed Martin CC-130J Super Hercules
;McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet
; Ex-RAAF McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornets
;Raytheon CT-156 Harvard II
Rotary wing
;Bell CH-139 JetRanger;Bell CH-146 Griffon
, and ISAF
;AgustaWestland CH-149 Cormorant
;Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone
in flight
;Boeing CH-147F Chinook
Leased and contractor aircraft
The Canadian Forces have leased aircraft from vendors to help transport troops and equipment from Canada and other locations in the past decade. Transport aircraft have been leased as required.;Beechcraft B300 Super King Air
- Two aircraft leased from Transwest Air Limited. Used by the Multi-Engine Utility Flight in CFB Trenton. Flown by RCAF pilots, they are used for light transport of personnel and equipment within North America.
- Twelve civil aircraft are operated by Discovery Air Defence Services for CATS and are based at CFB Cold Lake and CFB Bagotville
- Twelve civil aircraft are operated by Lortie Aviation, formerly Northern Lights International Airlines Ltd.. Based in CFB Cold Lake; ex-Swiss Air Force jets
Drones
;SAGEM Sperwer
;BAE Systems Silver Fox
;Boeing Insitu ScanEagle
;EADS Harfang
;Elbit Skylark
;AeroVironment RQ-11 Raven
;General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper
;AeroVironment RQ-20 Puma
;Prioria Robotics Maveric
;Saab Skeldar
Weapons and other equipment
Weapons systems are used by the CF-18 Hornet, CP-140 Aurora, CH-146 Griffon and the CH-148 Cyclone.| Manufacturer | Origin | Weapon | Type | In Service | Notes |
| Lockheed Martin | GBU-10 Paveway II | Laser-guided bomb | 1980s | Used by CF-18 | |
| Mark 82 bomb | Low drag general-purpose bomb | 1970s | Used by CF-18 | ||
| General Dynamics | Mark 83 bomb | Low drag general-purpose bomb | 1980s | Used by CF-18 | |
| General Dynamics | Mark 84 bomb | Low drag general-purpose bomb | 1980s | Used by CF-18 | |
| Boeing | Joint Direct Attack Munition | A kit to convert a regular bomb into precision-guided munition | 2011 | Used by CF-18 | |
| Raytheon/Hughes | AGM-65G Maverick Missile | Air-to-surface missile | 1990s | Used by CF-18 | |
| Bristol | CRV 7 Rocket | Folding-fin ground attack rocket | 1970s | Used by CF-18 | |
| Douglas | AIM-7 Sparrow | Medium-range semi-active radar homing air-to-air missile | 1980s | Used by CF-18 | |
| Raytheon/Hughes | AIM-120 AMRAAM | Beyond Visual Range air-to-air missile | 2000s | Used by CF-18 | |
| Raytheon/Ford/ Loral Corp. | AIM-9 Sidewinder | Heat-seeking, short-range, air-to-air missile | 1980s | Used by CF-18 | |
General Electric | M61 20mm Vulcan cannon | Air-cooled gatling-style cannon | 1980s | Used by CF-18 | |
| Alliant | Mark 46 torpedo | Air and ship-launched lightweight torpedo | 1970s | Used by CP-140 Aurora and CH-148 Cyclone | |
| FN Herstal | FN MAG C6 | 7.62 mm self-defence machine gun | 1980s | Used by CH-146 Griffon, CH-147F Chinook and CH-148 Cyclone | |
| Dillon Aero | M134 | 7.62 mm self-defence machine gun | 2011 | Used by CH-146 Griffon | |
| Browning Arms Company | M3M | 0.50 cal machine gun | 2013 | Used by CH-146 Griffon |
| Manufacturer | Origin | Name | Type | In Service | Notes |
| Systems & Electronics, Inc. | 60K Tunner | Material handling equipment | 2008 | Used with CC-177 transport | |
| JBT AeroTech | Halvorsen 44K Loaders | Truck Aircraft Side Load Unload Loader | 2008 | 4 for use with CC-177; licensed from Static Engineering of Australia | |
| Mobile Arrestor Gear | |||||
| FMC Corp. | B-1200 | Aircraft towing tractor | 2008 | Used to tow CC-177 and CC-130 |
Retired weapons
Current structure
The Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force, located at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa, commands and provides strategic direction to the Air Force.The commander of 1 Canadian Air Division and Canadian NORAD Region, based in Winnipeg, is responsible for the operational command and control of Air Force activities throughout Canada and worldwide. The RCAF's other Air Division, 2 Canadian Air Division, was established in June 2009, and consists of training establishments.
There are 13 wings across Canada, 11 operational and 2 used for training. Wings represent the grouping of various squadrons, both operational and support, under a single tactical commander reporting to the operational commander. Ten wings also include a Canadian Forces base along with other operational and support units.
The rank of general is held when an air officer is serving as Chief of the Defence Staff. The Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force holds the rank of lieutenant-general. Divisions are commanded by major-generals. Brigadier-generals are typically second-in-command of a division. Wings are commanded by colonels. Squadrons are commanded by lieutenant-colonels. Majors are typically second-in-command of squadrons, or flight commanders. Captains, lieutenants and second lieutenants are the junior level leaders in RCAF squadrons and headquarters.
1 Canadian Air Division
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.| Formation | Current commander | Location | Squadrons | Notes |
| 1 Wing Kingston | Colonel Travis A. Morehen | CFB Kingston | Headquartered at CFB Kingston, 1 Wing provides airlift support of troops and equipment anywhere in the world. Its tactical helicopter squadrons are spread out across Canada; six operate the CH-146 Griffon helicopter and one operates the CH-147F Chinook helicopter. | |
| 3 Wing Bagotville | Colonel Normand Gagné | CFB Bagotville | Located in Quebec's Saguenay region, 3 Wing provides general purpose, multi-role, combat-capable forces in support of domestic and international roles of Canada's air force. | |
| 4 Wing Cold Lake | Colonel Paul Doyle | CFB Cold Lake | The busiest fighter base in Canada, 4 Wing provides general purpose, multi-role, combat-capable forces in support of domestic and international roles of Canada's air force. Home of fighter pilot training for the Canadian Forces, 4 Wing attracts top gun crews from all over the world to its annual air combat exercise, Maple Flag. Cold Lake Air Weapons Range, north of the base, is the only tactical bombing range in western Canada. The one million hectare range includes the Primrose Lake Evaluation Range, 4 Wing's primary test range. | |
| 5 Wing Goose Bay | Lieutenant-Colonel Stéphane Racle | CFB Goose Bay | The site of NATO tactical ultra-low-level flight training in Canada, 5 Wing, located in Labrador, hosts temporary detachments from several NATO nations. Goose Bay Weapons Range is the only tactical bombing range in eastern Canada. The thirteen million hectare range includes ultra-low-level flying training to 100 feet above ground level, supersonic flight areas, and an inert conventional and precision guided munitions bombing range. 5 Wing is the home of 444 Combat Support Squadron and serves as a NORAD CF-18 Hornet deployed operating base and airfield supporting a mix of aviation activities, military and civilian, in eastern Canada. | |
| 8 Wing Trenton | Colonel Mark Goulden | CFB Trenton | 8 Wing is the heart of Canada's air mobility forces, from delivering supplies to the high Arctic to airlifting troops and equipment worldwide. It is also responsible for search and rescue in central Canada and home to the Skyhawks Parachute Team with the Canadian Army Advanced Warfare Centre. It is also the largest Air Force base in Canada. | |
| 9 Wing Gander | Lieutenant-Colonel Jenn Weissenborn | CFB Gander | Providing search and rescue services to eastern Canada and the western Atlantic Ocean. SAR crews at 9 Wing Gander fly the AgustaWestland CH-149 Cormorant helicopter and are responsible for a huge area, covering the lower Arctic, Labrador, Newfoundland, the Maritimes and the North Atlantic from the shores of Newfoundland to 30° west. | |
| 12 Wing Shearwater | Colonel Sid Connor | CFB Halifax | The centre of naval aviation in Canada, 12 Wing operates CH-148 Cyclone helicopters, and supports the Royal Canadian Navy with helicopter air detachments for surface warships in the Atlantic and Pacific fleets. | |
| 14 Wing Greenwood | Colonel G. Michael Adamson | CFB Greenwood | Located in Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley, 14 Wing's CP-140 Aurora crews conduct sovereignty and surveillance missions over the Atlantic Ocean routinely, while SAR capabilities for the Maritimes, eastern Quebec and the eastern Arctic are provided by CH-149 Cormorant helicopters and CC-130H Hercules fixed-wing aircraft. | |
| 17 Wing Winnipeg | Colonel Eric Charron | CFB Winnipeg | Comprising two squadrons and six schools, 17 Wing also provides support to the Central Flying School, as well as headquarters and administration support for NORAD operations. | |
| 19 Wing Comox | Colonel Mike Atkins | CFB Comox | Located on Vancouver Island, its Aurora crews provide surveillance of the Pacific Ocean and western and Arctic regions. The Buffalo and Cormorant crews are responsible for search and rescue in British Columbia, Yukon and the North Pacific Ocean. The base is also used for training fighter pilots in tactical procedures on nearby ranges. | |
| 22 Wing North Bay | Colonel Mark Lachapelle | CFB North Bay | 22 Wing represents one of Canada's major contributions to the North American Aerospace Defence agreement. Personnel watch over Canada's airspace 24 hours a day, using state-of-the-art sensors, computer and communications equipment. |
2 Canadian Air Division
2 Canadian Air Division is primarily responsible for training and education throughout the RCAF. It is currently commanded by Brigadier-General Mario Leblanc. From 2011 to 2013 the commanding officer was Brigadier-General Martin Galvin. The initial announcement of the Division, published after it was created on June 25, 2009, said: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.
| Formation | Current commander | Location | Squadrons | Notes |
| 15 Wing Moose Jaw | Colonel Denis O’Reilly | CFB Moose Jaw |
| The site of the NATO Flying Training Program in Canada which is supported by 2 Canadian Forces Flying Training School, 15 Wing is also home to the Snowbirds, the air force's aerobatic team and the 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School. 2 CFFTS produces Jet and Instructor pilots and 3 CFFTS produces Rotary and Multi-Engine pilots. |
| 16 Wing Borden | CFB Borden | This base is the location of the largest training facility in the Canadian Forces. 16 Wing's schools provide air force technical training and professional development and is the historic birthplace of the RCAF. 400 Tactical Helicopter Squadron is a lodger unit based at Borden's airfield.The Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Technology and Engineering, located in Borden, Ontario, delivers Aerospace Engineering Officers and conducts apprentice level training for various trades, including Avionics, Aviation, Aircraft Structures and Imagery technicians. The role of CFSATE is to provide the Air Force with qualified personnel to ensure Aircraft serviceability. CFSATE develops and carries out individual aerospace engineering training in accordance with approved doctrine and standards. |
Other units
Former units
- 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.
- 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, although 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron remains based at CFB Edmonton.
Joint Task Force Afghanistan Air Wing
- Air Wing Kandahar, Afghanistan. The organization was composed of four units:
- * Canadian Helicopter Force :
- ** Six – CH-147D Chinook heavy-lift helicopters
- ** Eight – CH-146 Griffon tactical support helicopters – armed
- **
- ** (Four - Mil Mi-17-V5 medium-lift helicopters designated as CH-178.
- * 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
Rank structure
Commander-in-Chief
Officers
Non-commissioned members
On 1 April 2015, the rank structure and insignia changed. The rank of private was replaced with that of aviator. The previously used term "leading aircraftman" was considered not to be gender neutral. 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. 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". Instead, the current rank titles were retained. The Royal Flying Corps, considered to be a predecessor of the RCAF, used rank titles similar to the existing rank titles of the RCAF.Symbols
Badge
The badge of the Royal Canadian Air Force consists of:- St. Edward's Crown
- An eagle superimposed on a circlet
- A compartment of maple leaves
- Motto: Sic Itur Ad Astra
Roundels