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 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

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

A man and a woman sit side by side

Profile of Courage: Jack Watts passes away at age of 98

Jack Watts, whose war-time exploits included helping destroy the Tirpitz battle ship and surviving a crash in the Mediterranean, died in 2019 at the age of 98.
November 5, 2019

A man wearing a military uniform stands behind a lecturn speaking into a microphone.

“We give thanks, as we have since 1943”

The national Battle of Britain commemorative ceremony was held September 15, 2019 in Ottawa. The commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force was the reviewing officer and keynote speaker. Here are his remarks.
September 20, 2019

Date modified: