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 smiling woman wearing an olive-green flight suit and holding a ball and sports shoes.

Captain Paige Campbell, RCAF Female Athlete of the Year, goes far taking part in CAF sports

Captain Paige Campbell, an Air Combat Systems Officer with 442 Squadron, at 19 Wing Comox, was nominated RCAF Female Athlete of the Year.
January 15, 2021

A smiling man wearing a dark blue t-shirt and camouflage pants works on a helicopter.

Master Corporal Gabriel Auclair, RCAF Male Athlete of the Year, shows that there is more to weightlifting than physical strength

Master Corporal Gabriel Auclair, a 406 Maritime Operational Training Squadron Aviation Technician based at 12 Wing Shearwater, Nova Scotia, was nominated RCAF Male Athlete of the Year.
January 13, 2021

A man wearing a combat uniform stands in front of a wall with vertical blue and red stripes, the Canadian Armed Forces’ engineers’ crest and the word “CHIMO”.

Master Warrant Officer Edward Hebb appointed as member of the Order of Military Merit

Governor General Julie Payette recently appointed Master Warrant Officer Edward Hebb as member of the Order of Military Merit for his dedicated service since his enrollment in 1998.
January 11, 2021

A man wearing black shorts and a black bib showing number 372 runs on an indoor track.

Chief Warrant Officer Claude Faucher, 2020 Male Masters Athlete of the Year

Chief Warrant Officer Faucher, from 17 Wing Winnipeg, was recently named the 2020 Masters Athlete of the Year by Athletics Manitoba for his outstanding performance.
January 8, 2021

A photo of a man wearing a dark blue military uniform and glasses. Behind him is an American flag.

United States Air Force member based in Canada recognized for dedication

Lieutenant-Colonel Nathan Willis, of the United States Air Force, was honoured for his work as a member of Canadian NORAD Region headquarters in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on November 20, 2020.
January 5, 2021

Past

A black and white photo of a black man wearing a shirt and tie, and a uniform jacket with wings.

Eric Watts, a natural leader

When Eric Victor Watts enlisted in the RCAF on May 10, 1939, technically, he should not have been allowed to join. Nevertheless, he proved to be a natural leader.
February 19, 2020

In a black-and-white photograph, a Black man wearing a uniform stands with his hands in his pockets in front of a large memorial displaying statues of men in uniforms.

Recruits of Choice

The excellence of Black Canadians recruited to the RCAF during and after the Second World War—even before Blacks were officially allowed to join the Air Force—is reflected in their achievements during and following their military service.
February 13, 2020

A news clipping with the headline “Carty family has enviable war record”, showing head-and-shoulders photos of five men.

Regulation? What regulation?

During the early years of the Second World War, Black Canadians were, for the most part, barred from joining the Royal Canadian Air Force. But it’s clear that some recruiting officers deliberately ignored the regulation.
February 5, 2020

Three people, two men and a woman, all wearing blue Air Force uniforms, stand behind an elderly man in a wheelchair wearing civilian clothes and holding a framed picture.

Aviator to aviator: Visit with veteran ties RCAF history together

Second World War veteran Flight Lieutenant (retired) Jim McRae recently received a visit in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, from 404 Long Range Patrol and Training Squadron leadership.
January 22, 2020

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

Date modified: