A Centennial

Today I begin my series for Winterlude, and in a bit of an odd spot. Last year, the Canadian Forces joined in with an exhibit and ice sculpture on the grounds at the National War Memorial. It appears that they've decided to make the idea a tradition, as it's back this year. 2024 marks the centennial year of the Royal Canadian Air Force, founded in the years after the First World War. This was being projected onto the pavement.

A series of banners looks at aspects of the history of the Air Force, including NORAD, a joint partnership operation with the USAF that dates to the 1950s.

This includes individual profiles, such as Major Stephen Blizzard.

Two generals of the RCAF- Paul Manson and Bill Carr.

Women trailblazers of the RCAF are found here. Jane Foster and Dee Brasseur were the first female fighter pilots of the Forces. Karin Lehmann was the first female aircrew member in Canadian history to fire at the enemy from a helicopter during the Gulf War.

The RCAF have given rise to the Snowbirds, the squadron that does flying tours to demonstrate their exceptional flying abilities to the public.

When Canadians went to war as part of Desert Storm, Canadian fighter jets were part of that, and would fire on the enemy for the first time since the Korean War.

Colonel Jeremy Hansen is set to be the first Canadian astronaut to journey to the Moon later this year as part of the new Artemis program. Chris Hadfield, a former RCAF pilot, was a commander of the International Space Station, and made a big impression on the world during his last time on the ISS.

When Canadian participation ended in the Afghan War, it was the RCAF who brought the soldiers home.

During the First World War, Canadian pilots generally flew with the British, and the RAF was really the Royal Flying Corps, a part of the British army at the time. Canadian pilots like Billy Bishop became aces and legends.

During the Second World War, more examples of fortitude from those who served in the RCAF. Andrew Mynarski, seen second from left, was decorated posthumously with the Victoria Cross for his actions on his doomed bomber soon after D-Day. Willard Bolduc, an indigenous man from Ontario, became an air gunner during raids over Europe, and won the Distinguished Flying Cross. Leonard Birchall, at right, spent years as a POW after being shot down over the Indian Ocean, and later served in command positions with the RCAF.

One of the other functions of the RCAF is in search and rescue.

During the Korean War, some Canadian officers were seconded to the USAF.