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 wearing an olive green flight suit sits in the cockpit of a helicopter.

Our people: Captain David He

“I feel privileged to be a part of this community at such a rare and exciting time,” says 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron pilot Captain David He.
March 18, 2020

In a large, high-ceilinged hangar and maintenance facility, a woman wearing a disruptive pattern uniform with a flag patch on her shoulder sits at a desk with computers and screens.

Our people: Master Corporal Vicky Fortin

“Being a good leader is so important to me,” says 12 Wing Financial Services Administrator Master Corporal Vicky Fortin; she is mentoring a Private in her section, and wants to be the best example she can be.
March 13, 2020

A woman wearing a disruptive pattern uniform, and gloves and a cap, works on the rotor mechanism of a helicopter.

Our people: Corporal Caylen Dorrington

As an Aviation Systems Technician at 12 Wing Shearwater, Nova Scotia, Corporal Caylen Dorrington enjoys her work, and shares that enjoyment as she passes her skills on to new techs learning the trade.
March 11, 2020

A black-and-white photo of six uniformed women standing in a row with their arms around each other’s waists, looking up.

We have come a long way

International Women’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate the great accomplishments of women today, but also those of women who paved the way for the generations that followed them.
March 6, 2020

A man wearing a disruptive pattern uniform stands in front of a large heavy-equipment vehicle with a blade on the front.

Our people: Corporal Benjamin Russell

Corporal Benjamin Russell’s favourite thing? The satisfaction of seeing a snow-covered ramp cleared by the end of the day.
March 6, 2020

Past

A woman wearing a blue military uniform plays the bugle under a big tree among tomb stones in a cemetery.

“Last Post” presents challenges for buglers

Many people cannot hear “Last Post” without tearing up. For the people who sound it, suppressing an emotional reaction is not the only challenge.
November 10, 2020

An engraved granite memorial with a crumpled piece of metal resting on the ground on one side, and a remembrance wreath resting on a stand on the other side.

Delta 673’s lost airmen commemorated

Eighty years after they mysteriously vanished, the aircrew of Northrop Delta 673 were commemorated and a granite monument unveiled in their honour on September 14, 2019, deep in the New Brunswick woods.
November 9, 2020

A man wearing a tan camouflage uniform and blue beret holding a camera.

We remember Master Corporal Darrell Jason Priede

Master Corporal Darrell Jason Priede, a military image technician serving with the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, was killed when the Chinook helicopter he was a passenger in crashed on May 30, 2007.
November 9, 2020

Five men wearing flying gear stand in a row in front of a Second World War aircraft. One is holding a young black labrador dog.

The hero around the corner

Lewis Johnstone Burpee, one of those who died during the famed Dambusters' Raid, was from a neighbourhood called the Glebe in Ottawa and a graduate of nearby Lisgar Collegiate Institute. Author Dave O’Malley, who lives and works in the same neighbourhood, ponders Lewis’ life and death.
November 6, 2020

An elderly woman and man wearing blazers with medals sit on a couch, looking at each other and smiling.

Second World War RCAF couple recognized

Corporal (retired) Anne McNamara and Flying Officer (retired) Howard McNamara are featured on this year's Veterans Affairs Canada’s Veterans' Week poster.
November 4, 2020

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