The Air Reserve

Role | Structure | Command | Strength | Air Force Mission | Air Force Vision | Air Force Core Values | Air Force Maxims | Air Reserve Goals

The Air Reserve is an important part of the Air Force Team. Reservists are ordinary citizens who volunteer to devote a portion of their free time to military service.

In the Air Force, Reservists serve as partners with members of the Regular Force to accomplish the Air Force mission. Air Reservists are actively involved in the vast spectrum of Air Force activities including: surveillance and control of Canadian airspace; world-wide airlift of Canadian Forces personnel and material; support to the Navy and Army; support to other government departments; search and rescue; and humanitarian operations.

This site has been established to help you find out more about the Air Reserve and learn how you too can become part of the Air Force Team.

Role

The primary role of the Air Reserve, as stated in the 1994 White Paper, is to augment, sustain, and support deployed forces. The Air Reserve provides support to the Force in ongoing peacetime tasks as well as deployed operations. The Air Reserve also serves as a basis for national mobilization and acts as a military link to the community.

Structure

The Air Reserve is part of the Reserve component of the Canadian Forces and an integral part of the "Total Air Force". This means that most Air Force units  are comprised of both Regular Force and Reserve Force personnel. See Organization for further details.

Command

The Air Reserve is commanded by the Chief of the Air Staff.

Strength

The Air Reserve has a planning level of 3,400 and the current strength is approximately 2200 personnel.

Air Force Mission

The Mission of Canada's Air Force is to generate and maintain combat capable, multi-purpose, air forces to meet Canada's defence objectives.

Air Force Vision

Canada's Air Force: Proud, Professional and Combat Capable.

Air Force Core Values

• Professionalism
• Excellence
• Teamwork

Air Force Maxims

• At all times, professional
• In all things, ethical
• To all people, respectful

Air Reserve Goals

The Air Reserve will continue to evolve into a cost-effective entity of the Total Air Force Structure by:

• minimizing training costs
• maintaining capability and readiness
• confirming readiness
• encouraging individual commitment and retention
• fostering professional development
• providing opportunities for career progression
• maintaining a common air force standard
• incorporating technological advances in training.