Centennial of the Royal Canadian Air Force (1924-2024)

The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) marked its Centennial on April 1, 2024, with an extensive lineup of commemorative events across Canada and abroad.

The motto of the Centennial celebrations was “Your Air Force.” Generations of Your Air Force served with distinction over a century and continue to serve today. Whether it be air defence, maritime patrol, search and rescue, air mobility and sustainment, or aerospace control— Canadians can rely on Your Air Force to serve them at home, across the globe and beyond.

On this page:

• Winter events 2023-2024
• April 2024 - Centennial Officially Starts
• Spring events continued
• Summer events
• Year-long initiatives

Winter events 2023-2024

As a kick-off to the Centennial year, the RCAF was honoured by the Winnipeg Jets hockey team at a Military Appreciation game on December 4, 2023. On this special occasion, the Winnipeg Jets wore an RCAF-inspired jersey based on the jerseys worn by the Olympic gold medal-winning RCAF Flyers in 1948. The Flyers were a remarkable collection of RCAF personnel who also inspired the t-shirt design of the 2023 RCAF Run.

Hockey jerseys continued to be a way for communities to recognize the RCAF Centennial with the Halifax Mooseheads and Nipissing University Lakers hockey teams creating Centennial-themed jerseys. These games brought those communities together to honour the RCAF's longstanding role in Canadian history.

In February, the RCAF Centennial was a central feature at Winterlude, Ottawa's iconic winter festival. Visitors had the opportunity to learn about the legacy of the RCAF through unique ice sculptures, which created opportunities for the public to explore the RCAF's contributions to Canadians, both yesterday and today.

The RCAF new mascot, Astra, was introduced in March 2024. Astra’s introduction followed a naming contest open to members, families, and friends. Astra quickly became a familiar and popular face at RCAF Centennial events throughout 2024.

April 2024 - Centennial Officially Starts

To mark the official Centennial on April 1, the RCAF strove to set a world record with the largest simultaneous illumination of landmarks across Canada and the globe. In a brilliant tribute to 100 years of service, famous landmarks, city halls, businesses, embassies, and residences worldwide were illuminated in blue to celebrate the RCAF Centennial. Over 500 locations in 26 countries participated, including landmarks like the CN Tower, Niagara Falls, Vancouver Sails of Light, Seoul Tower in South Korea, Westminster City Hall in England, and the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in France.

The illumination connected cities and communities across Canada and beyond, symbolizing the far-reaching impact and unity fostered by the RCAF. At the RCAF Centennial Ball in June 2024, the RCAF was awarded the Guinness World Record for the most landmarks illuminated in a 24-hour period for a single cause.

Canada Post also joined the celebrations in April by releasing a commemorative Centennial-themed envelope, providing Canadians with a unique keepsake to mark this historic milestone. The envelope was unveiled at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Borden during the Homecoming events, recognizing Borden as the “Birthplace of the RCAF”. A new Ad Astra Monument was also unveiled at this time, serving as a tribute to the RCAF's legacy, providing a space for reflection and honouring both those who served over the past century and those currently serving.

Spring events continued

Centennial celebrations continued in May, with the Canadian Tulip Festival celebrating this milestone with the theme of 100 Years of the RCAF. A highlight of this collaboration was The Flight of Fancy, four unique tulips cultivated in the Netherlands—Rescue, Flyers, Wings, and Ad Astra. Each tulip represented a different facet of the RCAF's heritage, from search and rescue and the 1948 RCAF Flyers to training and the RCAF's motto, Per Ardua Ad Astra (Such is the Pathway to the Stars).

The Canadian Tulip Festival was also marked by several Centennial premieres, including Wings of Honour, a documentary made in partnership with Canadian Geographic. The film shared personal stories of RCAF veterans and currently serving members, including an inspiring interview with astronaut, Colonel Jeremy Hansen, and explained the RCAF’s pivotal role in the liberation of the Netherlands, that offered attendees a deep look into the RCAF's contributions during the Second World War. This contribution was particularly fitting given the Canadian Tulip Festival’s representation of the strong historical relationship between Canada and the Netherlands.

The Canadian Tulip Festival also saw the launch of the RCAF Centennial’s Augmented Reality Experience that offered visitors the opportunity to explore the RCAF's history and legacy in a modern, interactive way. The festival was also the debut of Canadian Geographic’s Giant Floor Map, which overlays the history of the RCAF over a map of Canada.

The Canadian Tulip Festival closed with an awe-inspiring 200-drone light show witnessed by more than 45,000 people. The drones created 3D airplane-themed displays celebrating the RCAF's 100-year history, including flying formations and a rescue mission scene, wrapping up the event with a memorable tribute to the RCAF's legacy to the tune of “Tous Unis, To The Sky,” the RCAF Centennial theme song that was composed and performed by the RCAF Band.

May also saw the launch of the 2024 RCAF Run with virtual and in-person events across Canada and around the world. In partnership with Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS), the 2024 RCAF Run welcomed participants of all ages, promoting unity with RCAF members while celebrating resilience, community, and physical fitness.

Members of RCAF came together at the end of May to participate in the RCAF Centennial Symposium in Ottawa, with many remaining to attend, along with the Governor General of Canada, the RCAF Centennial Ball on June 1, 2024.

Summer events

The summer saw Centennial celebrations continue across Canada with numerous air shows and activities. Air shows at CFB Cold Lake, CFB Bagotville and CFB Trenton offered audiences a unique blend of aerial skill and historical insight. The RCAF was honoured to have several Allies come to Canada to take part in the festivities, including, the Royal Air Force Red Arrows, Frecce Tricolori National Aerobatic Team from the Italian Air Force and the United States Air Force Thunderbirds.

Canada Day celebrations in the National Capital Region included a spectacular Centennial flypast, or Parade in the Sky, captivating thousands with a breathtaking collection of historic and modern aircraft. This impressive display, featuring the legendary Lancaster bomber alongside cutting-edge jets like the F-35 Lightning II, offered a visual tribute to the evolution of the RCAF over the past century and showcased the exciting future of the RCAF. The event culminated in a performance by the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, whose precision and synchronized manoeuvres were a fitting symbol of the skill and dedication that define RCAF pilots.

Leading up to the Centennial year, CFMWS and the RCAF partnered to launch RCAF Game Force, the first official esports and gaming program and tournament series of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). Open to the public and CAF members alike, RCAF Game Force offered participants across Canada and abroad a unique opportunity to play, compete and build a virtual community. The tournament series provided a platform for participants to develop leadership, teamwork, and resilience while highlighting the benefits of moderate gaming in improving cognitive skills and building camaraderie. Throughout the summer of 2024, Canadians could participate in RCAF Game Force at many in-person engagements.

On the international stage, the RCAF appeared at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) in the United Kingdom, one of the world's premier military airshows. Canadian aircraft joined an impressive global lineup, showcasing Canada's aeronautical achievements and reaffirming the RCAF's role in international aviation. A highlight of RIAT was the selection of the RCAF 2024-themed Canadian Forces CF-18 Demonstration Jet as the best livery of the year. This event underscored Canada's enduring commitment to fostering global partnerships through aviation.

Year-long initiatives

Another notable initiative to celebrate the RCAF Centennial was the Trees for Heroes campaign, which encouraged communities across Canada to plant trees in honour of past and present RCAF members while promoting environmental stewardship. This initiative honoured Canadians and other nations whose aircrews trained in Canada during the Second World War.

The RCAF was honoured by the Royal Canadian Mint with the release of a collection of numismatic coins, unveiled to Canadians from January to July 2024, and culminating with the issue of a special edition two-dollar coin (toonie) commemorating the RCAF's 100-year legacy. This coin featured iconic aircraft such as the CC-130 Hercules, known for its search and rescue missions, along with silhouettes of legendary planes like the F-86 Sabre and CT-114 Tutor.

Throughout its Centennial year, the RCAF strove to achieve the goal of inspiring future generations of Canadians through numerous Inspire events that brought STEM-based experiences to young Canadians, sparking interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Hands-on activities introduced students to aerodynamics, aircraft design, and emerging aerospace technologies, encouraging them to consider careers in STEM and aviation. A highlight of this program saw Youth Science Canada add an Air and Space Challenge to the 2024 Canada Wide Science Fair and winners had the opportunity to speak with an astronaut. These experiences fostered a deeper understanding of aviation and aimed to cultivate the next generation of RCAF personnel and innovators.