The Royal Canadian Air Force marked 100 years of service as a distinct military element on April 1, 2024.
19 Wing Comox will be celebrating this milestone by hosting the return of the Comox Air Show on May 18.
“With just over a month to go, the excitement over this event is palpable,” says Colonel JP Gagnon, 19 Wing Commander. “The Royal Canadian Air Force has a long and distinguished history with many proud traditions that merit recognition by all Canadians. Generations have served with distinction over the past century, and we look forward to honouring that history and celebrating our exciting future with the return of the Comox Air Show. The heart of the RCAF has always been its people, and we are thrilled to introduce our people and showcase what they do to the local community.”
This free event will take place at 19 Wing/CFB Comox, with the gates open from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Members of the public are invited to come and watch the aerial displays, tour the static displays, and meet the personnel of 19 Wing Comox. There will be military displays, food trucks, a Kids Zone, and more.
Aerial performers include the CF Snowbirds, the CF-18 Demo Team, our own CH-149 Cormorant and CP-140 Aurora, as well as the CC-130 Hercules performing a Search and Rescue para-drop. Other invited performance aircraft include the KC-135 Stratotanker and CH-146 Griffon. Invited static aircraft include the CH-148 Cyclone, the new Airbus 330, United States Coast Guard Jayhawk and Dolphin helicopters, as well as a USCG Hercules, and a PBY Canso from Canadian Heritage Warplanes.
The Air Show website is up and running and can be found at www.comoxairshow.com. The site is being updated regularly as more information becomes finalized. Keep an eye on this site, as well as the 19 Wing Totem Times Facebook page, for updates on traffic routes, tips on what to bring and not to bring, pedestrian access points, bicycle parking areas, and more.
“I am incredibly proud of what the team has accomplished in such a relatively short time. We look forward to welcoming the public to this event and sharing with them putting on a show to remember for the RCAF Centennial,” Lieutenant-Colonel Jean Leroux, 19 Wing Open House Coordinator, says.
Quick Facts
• On April 1st, 2024, the RCAF turned 100 as a distinct military element; it was granted the royal title in 1924 by King George V.
• As the only air base on the West Coast of Canada, 19 Wing/CFB Comox plays a critical role in the RCAF’s operations both at home and abroad, providing maritime patrol, search and rescue, air mobility and sustainment, aerospace control, Aid to Civil Authorities, and support to North American Air Defence (NORAD).
• If you want to show Your Air Force pride, RCAF merchandise can be ordered at RCAF Merchandise - RCAF2024ARC
• Watch for other events in 2024 like the RCAF Run on May 3, the RCAF Gala on June 22, and the Battle of Britain ceremony that will pay homage to the past, present and future of the RCAF.