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

Two men and a woman wearing military camouflage uniforms stand on a runway. The man on the right gives a medal to the woman, who is in the centre. Behind the three people is a big yellow and red helicopter.

Lieutenant-Colonel Lisa Baspaly-Hays, Commander of 9 Wing Gander, receives the United States’ Defense Meritorious Service Medal

Commander of 9 Wing Gander, Lieutenant-Colonel Lisa Baspaly-Hays, whose outstanding leadership and ceaseless efforts strengthened collaboration between the United States’ and Canada’s intelligence forces, received the U.S. Defense Meritorious Service Medal.
October 20, 2020

Five women running on a track during a competition.

Track and field for Masters Athletes 6: understanding energy systems

This is the sixth in a series of articles covering all aspects of Masters Athletes’ training and nutrition for track and field events. Here, we will take a look at how properly planned training will greatly impact your success.
October 16, 2020

A man wearing an orange jumpsuit and a blue hat looks outside the window of an aircraft.

When the standard is integrity: Most senior RCAF SAR Tech honoured to be part of that team

“I don’t count years, and I have no regrets. I love being a SAR Tech. It’s an honour to be part of that team,” says Sergeant André Hotton, who’s been a SAR Tech for thirty years, making him the most senior SAR technician in the RCAF.
October 13, 2020

A woman wearing a camouflage uniform sits at the wheel of a vehicle.

Supply Technicians - Profiling Warrant Officer Sandra Leaman, 12 Air Maintenance Squadron

Described by her chain of command as “a team player who always volunteers time for her unit,” Warrant Officer Sandra Leaman won the 12 Wing Shearwater Air Person of the Year Award for her dedication and work ethic.
October 8, 2020

A circular silver metal badge with a globe, a laurel wreath and maple leaf.

New CAF Space Specialist Skill Badge

Canadian Armed Forces personnel who have achieved a combination of formal space qualifications and experience are now eligible to proudly wear the Space Specialist Skill Badge.
October 6, 2020

Past

Two men wearing Second World War era air force uniforms, stand in front of a large aircraft.

Remembering aviation legend Russell Bannock

Canada’s second highest scoring Second World War ace, and a legend in Canadian civil aviation, Russ Bannock, died on January 4, 2020, at the age of 100.
January 10, 2020

A man wearing an air force uniform stands beside an older man leaning on a metal walker and wearing a blazer and air force tartan tie. Both have several medals on their jackets.

December 1944: An “Alouette” Christmas story

On Christmas Eve, 1944, Flight Sergeant Jean Cauchy and his crew, flying a Halifax bomber back from a raid in Germany were in trouble—they’d lost an engine and there was still a bomb in their bomb bay that they hadn’t been able to drop.
December 23, 2019

A vintage photo of Santa Claus seated in the cockpit of a helicopter, waving through the open side window.

Holiday traditions in the Royal Canadian Air Force

Royal Canadian Air Force treasures and maintains a number of special traditions associated with the holiday period – ranging from Christmas dinners to “sticky floors” to New Year’s levees.
December 20, 2019

A man wearing flying gear stands on the wing of an aircraft, leaning against the fuselage.

100th birthday of Thomas W. Dowbiggin

December 3, 2019, marks the 100th birthday of  Squadron Leader (retired) Thomas W. Dowbiggin, who served as a Second World War Spitfire pilot with the Royal Canadian Air Force’s 401 Squadron.
December 3, 2019

Four people dressed in Air Force uniforms salute, as snow falls. They are surrounded by a crowd of people.

Wing Commander William Barker remembered

On November 11, 2019, the RCAF participated in a Remembrance Day ceremony at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto, where Wing Commander William Barker, VC, is interred. Here are remarks from Lieutenant-General Al Meinzinger, commander of the RCAF.
November 22, 2019

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