Royal Canadian Air Force celebrates 100 years
You could say 22 Wing/Canadian Forces Base Commander Col. Richard Jolette was born to be in the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF.)
An undated photo of 22 Wing/Canadian Forces Base Commander Col. Richard Jolette and his father a former air force member. (Supplied/Richard Jolette)
Jolette chose to follow his inspiring father’s footsteps into a life of military service.
“It’s a big deal for me and my family. Just for myself being in the military since 2001. My dad was in the air force for 36 years,” said the base commander.
“At the heart of the RCAF lies its people.”
The City of North Bay is flying the RCAF flag with this weekend pride, officials said, to commemorate its centennial milestone by recognizing the military branch’s evolution while looking back at its past and paying tribute to the men and women who have sacrificed so much over the years for their country knowing that Canada is engaged internationally in overseas operations, peacekeeping and combat operations.
Officials say the City of North Bay is flying the Royal Canadian Air Force flag with pride over the Easter weekend. March 28, 2024. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario)
“I was very fortunate and honoured to be an honourary colonel at 22 Wing,” said North Bay Mayor Peter Chirico.
“They protect not only just the air space but every plane that takes off and lands and enters our space and they protect space.”
The Royal Canadian Air Force was born out of the RAF (Royal Air Force) in WWI when Canadian aviators flew alongside the British against the Germans.
On April 1, 1924, the RCAF was officially formed. It was comprised of a full-time permanent force (regular force), a part-time non-permanent force (air reserve) and a reserve of non-active personnel – at the time no non-permanent units were created as the funding was not available.
An undated black and white photo for Royal Canadian Air Force members during WWII. (Supplied/Royal Canadian Air Force)
The RCAF was put to the test for the first time 16 years later in a battle against a Nazi air unit, the Luftwaffe, during WWII.
“I’ve said this many times, but because of them we get to sleep at night,” said Chirico.
22 Wing has been located in North Bay for more than 70 years. The ‘RCAF Station North Bay’ opened on September 1, 1951 as part of Canada’s new national air defence network, built in response to the Cold War threat from the former Soviet Union.
In 1963, after four years of construction, Canada’s North American Air Defence Command (NORAD) underground complex opened. In the underground bunker, Canadian and American NORAD personnel guarded North America’s Cold War frontline. The station was renamed CFB North Bay in 1963 and was previously home to aircraft, including No. 3 All-Weather (Fighter) Operational Training Unit and was at one time the world’s most advanced air defence flying training school.
Over the years the base was home to several squadrons within the RCAF before leaving the base in 1992. A year later, it was renamed ‘22 Wing/Canadian Forces Base North Bay’ and it’s equipped with state-of-the-art air defence computers and electronics.
The air force has really evolved from times of war. Today it provides air defence, maritime patrol, search and rescue, aerospace monitoring and air mobility across Canada. As of 2020, the Royal Canadian Air Force consists of 12,000 Regular Force and nearly 2,000 Primary Reserve personnel, supported by 1,500 civilians and operates over 250 aircraft and nine unmanned aerial vehicles.
The uniforms of a Royal Canadian Air Force members in North Bay on March 28, 2024. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario)
“I’m so happy being able to be here in North Bay,” said Jolette.
“It’s my hometown and to celebrate the 100th anniversary in my hometown at the base I’ve spent the most time in my career is special.”
22 Wing/CFB has about 400 men and women military members on base.
“They’re part of our community and part of our fabric,” said Chirico.
North Bay Mayor Peter Chirico shaking hands with military service members on March 28, 2024. (Eric Taschner/CTV News Northern Ontario)
North Bay is also taking part in the Royal Canadian Air Force’s initiative to illuminate landmarks in blue on April 1 with city hall scheduled to be lit up Monday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Health minister 'deeply appreciative' of doctors but capital gains changes here to stay
Health Minister Mark Holland says while he is 'deeply appreciative' of the work doctors in Canada do, the federal government has no plans to scrap the proposed capital gains tax changes outlined in the latest budget, despite opposition from the Canadian Medical Association.
Chants of 'shame on you' greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents' dinner
An election-year roast of U.S. President Joe Biden before journalists, celebrities and politicians at the annual White House correspondents' dinner Saturday.
Deadly six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 sparked by road rage incident
One person was killed in a six-vehicle crash on Highway 400 in Innisfil Friday evening.
'Of course, yes': Poland latest European country with interest in Canadian LNG
The President of Poland says his country would 'of course' be interested in purchasing Canadian liquefied natural gas if it were available, while the Canadian federal government has said it is 'not interested' in subsidizing future projects.
What Trudeau's podcast appearances say about the Liberals' next ballot box question
Trudeau recently appeared on four podcasts as he travels the country talking up the Liberals' latest budget, which he's pitching as a plan to inject more economic fairness into society for those under 40 — a cohort that has kept Trudeau in power since 2015 but is increasingly turning to Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.
Passage of harsh anti-2SLGBTQ+ law in Iraq draws diplomatic backlash
Human rights groups and diplomats criticized a law that was quietly passed by the Iraqi parliament over the weekend that would impose heavy prison sentences on gay and transgender people.
Opinion I just don't get Taylor Swift
It's one thing to say you like Taylor Swift and her music, but don't blame CNN's AJ Willingham's when she says she just 'doesn't get' the global phenomenon.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
A munitions explosion at a Cambodian army base kills 20 soldiers, but its cause is unclear
Security was tight around a military base in southwestern Cambodia on Sunday, a day after a huge explosion there killed 20 soldiers, wounded others and damaged nearby houses.