Records, research and publications

The following are History and Heritage Feature articles, including supplementary content for On Windswept Heights II: Historical Highlights of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Peacekeeping

The RCAF has a long tradition of supporting peacekeeping missions.

The genesis of Air Command

Lieutenant-General Bill Carr's account of how Air Command began.

Camp Borden

The birthplace of the RCAF and the cradle of military aviation in Canada during the 1920s.

Leadership

A speech given by Air Commodore Leonard Birchall on September 17, 1997.

Battle honours

Air Force battle honours include both major and subsidiary battle honours.

Honours, medals and awards

Canadian military honours and recognition, including orders, decorations, medals, insignia, departmental awards and memorials.

Directorate of History and Heritage

Visit the military history archive research room to view the collections and do primary research, or ask an expert for answers.

Veterans Affairs Canada Remembrance

Medals, memorial, people and stories, wars and conflicts

Military operations and exercises

Current and recurring military operations, military exercises, and allies and government partners of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Past operations

Military operations that the Canadian Armed Forces have participated in around the world since 1945.

Videos

Edward Carter-Edwards - Reasons for Joining up (English only)

Mr. Carter-Edwards speaks about growing up quite secluded and hoped that the Air Force would help him break out of his shell.

Veteran Stories: Edward Carter-Edwards (English only)

Buchenwald survivor - The Memory Project site

Mrs. Mortimer - Young Lady Starting A Career (English only)

Mrs. Mortimer reflects back on her early years and how the family decision to move to England provided her the opportunity to pursue a nursing career.

Profiles of courage

A black and white photo of four Second World War air force officer.

Battle of Britain profile of courage: Otto John Peterson

Flying Officer Otto John Peterson was one of 23 Canadians who died during the Battle of Britain.
September 14, 2016

Battle of Britain Profile of Courage: Harry Raymond Hamilton

Harry Hamilton flew with 85 Squadron of the Royal Air Force during the Battle of Britain.
September 9, 2016

A black and white photo of a Second World War air force officer in dress uniform, wearing a hat.

Battle of Britain Profile of Courage: Alfred Keith Ogilvie

“Skeets” Ogilvie of Ottawa flew in the Battle of Britain and later took part in “The Great Escape”.
September 8, 2016

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History articles

A vintage photo of two men shaking hands, one sitting in the cockpit of an aircraft and the other standing beside it.

The RCAF in the Korean War

From 1950 to 1953, Royal Canadian Air Force personnel served in Canada, the US and Korea in a United Nations-driven effort to rebuff North Korea’s advances into South Korea.
June 25, 2020

A black and white photo of propeller fighter aircraft on a field with a church spire in the background.

Air power was critical in the weeks leading up to D-Day, the invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944. The Allies required total air supremacy, including the ability to provide close air support to the invaders and to disrupt enemy communications and transport.
June 5, 2020

A black and white photo of man sitting in the cockpit of First World War fighter biplane.

Billy Bishop, Canada’s first Air Force Victoria Cross winner

On June 2, 1917, Capt William Avery “Billy” Bishop took off from his home base with No. 60 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, near Arras in northern France, on a daring early morning mission that would win him the Victoria Cross.
June 2, 2020