Our People

The men and women of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and their civilian colleagues are the RCAF’s greatest strength, the heart of the institution and the foundation upon which the RCAF’s future is built. They are extraordinary and professional, capable of accomplishing great things, setting standards of quality that are respected around the world. Day after day, night after night they contribute directly and indirectly to the delivery of air and space power for our nation.

Our airmen and airwomen are guided and inspired by the achievements of those who have served in the Air Force throughout its history.

Here are some of their stories.

Present

A man and a woman wearing blue military uniforms stand in front of a hangar and a helicopter. The man presents the woman with a medal in a little blue case.

A Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers Recipient at 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron

Corporal Annabelle Villeneuve was honoured for her fifteen years of volunteer work throughout Canada with the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers on July 16, 2020.
September 18, 2020

Two men in orange coveralls lean on a bunk in an aircraft.

Woods hike not the ideal SAR

A ten-hour walking rescue tests the mettle of RCAF SAR Techs.
September 14, 2020

A photo of a man wearing a blue uniform, a wedge hat and glasses.

17 Wing Honorary Colonel Stuart Murray receives the Order of Manitoba

A lifetime dedication to public service has led to 17 Wing Winnipeg’s Honorary Colonel Stuart Murray receiving the Order of Manitoba.
September 11, 2020

A photo taken from the cockpit of a helicopter flying over water. Through the aircraft windshield, a ship can be seen. On the right, in the helicopter, is a man wearing a flight helmet.

Search and rescue means changing priorities in an instant

Officer Cadet (now captain) Victor Weston recounts how a routine flight rapidly became a full-blown search and rescue operation, a reality that SAR Techs face every day.
September 8, 2020

Two men and one woman wearing dark blue uniforms hold a citation.

What are the chances? NATO Meritorious Service Medal recipient Major Gillian Parker

Major Parker has fit a lot into almost 28 years in the CAF. Her latest achievement: the NATO Meritorious Service Medal for outstanding work during her posting to NATO Allied Air Command.
August 28, 2020

Past

Two men wearing military uniforms look at a flat round object on a table.

Battle of Britain profile: Wing Commander Arthur Hicklin Warner

Every Canadian who served in the Battle of Britain contributed greatly to the war effort, and one of these many honourable Canadians was Arthur Hicklin Warner.
September 17, 2020

A vintage photograph of a woman.

Battle of Britain profile: Norma Zelia Watts – WAAF radio telephonist

During the Battle of Britain, Norma Zelia Watts was the ground contact for the aircrews that fought back the German Luftwaffe in the British skies.
September 15, 2020

Six men wearing military uniforms with belted tunics, stand in a row.

The Battle of Britain: The RCAF gains new leadership

Many Canadian fighter pilots who fought in the Battle of Britain put their knowledge and experience, gained during the crucial battle, to excellent use as they provided foundational leadership for new squadrons over the following years of the war.
August 20, 2020

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 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

Date modified: