19 Wing Comox/
CFB Comox
Provides regular long range patrol surveillance over the Pacific Ocean. It is also the centre for search and rescue (SAR) training and the primary air SAR unit on Canada's West Coast.
Caption
An Explosive Ordnance Disposal Remotely Operated Vehicle during Exercise TAZ RUNNER at Comox, British Columbia, on February 13, 2025.
Photo: Aviator Annie-Claude Pellerin, Canadian Armed Forces.
Caption
An Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technician works to defeat a simulated improvised explosive device during Exercise TAZ RUNNER.
Photo: Aviator Annie-Claude Pellerin, Canadian Armed Forces.
Caption
13 new SAR Technicians graduate from Canadian Forces School of Search and Rescue (CFSSAR) Course 57, at 19 Wing Comox, British Columbia, on June 19, 2025.
Photo: Aviator Zhi Sheng Lin, Canadian Armed Forces.
Caption
SAR Technicians load a CC-295 Kingfisher during SAR Exercise (SAREX) 2025 in 19 Wing Comox, British Columbia, on September 23, 2025.
Photo: Aviator Zhi Sheng Lin, Canadian Armed Forces.
Caption
A CC-295 Kingfisher aircraft at sunrise on the flight line at 19 Wing Comox, British Columbia, on September 24, 2025.
Photo: Master Corporal Trevor Pomarenski, Canadian Armed Forces.
Caption
During SAR Exercise (SAREX) 2025, a CC-130H Hercules aircraft from 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron flies over the major air disaster scenario at 19 Wing Comox on September 26, 2025.
Photo: Corporal Raj Dhagat, Canadian Armed Forces.
Caption
A CP-140 Aurora from 407 Long Range Patrol Squadron releases a training torpedo at Canadian Forces Maritime Experimental and Test Ranges in 2012.
Photo: Canadian Armed Forces.
Caption
RCAF Aviation Systems Technicians and civilian contractors work together to repair engines for the CP-140 Aurora at 19 Wing Comox.
Photo: Canadian Armed Forces.
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About
19 Wing is located at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Comox in Comox, British Columbia. It is under the operational command of 1 Canadian Air Division. The Commander of 19 Wing is also Commander of CFB Comox and is responsible for all base administrative, operational, and logistical support.
19 Wing/CFB Comox supports NORAD Air Defence assets and maritime and overland intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, strike coordination, and search and rescue operations in British Columbia and the Yukon. The area extends to about 600 nautical miles off Canada's west coast.
Squadrons
| Name | City | Province | Aircraft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 407 Long Range Patrol Squadron | Comox | British Columbia | CP-140 Aurora |
| 418 Search and Rescue Operational Training Squadron | Comox | British Columbia | CC-295 Kingfisher |
| 435 Transport and Rescue Squadron | Winnipeg | Manitoba | CC-130H Hercules |
| 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron | Comox | British Columbia | CH-149 Cormorant, CC-295 Kingfisher |
| 19 Air Maintenance Squadron | Comox | British Columbia | Non-flying |
| Canadian Forces School of Search and Rescue | Comox | British Columbia | Non-flying |
| 192 Construction Engineering Flight | Abbotsford | British Columbia | Non-flying |
| 19 Wing Air Reserve Flight | Comox | British Columbia | Non-flying |
| 19 Mission Support Squadron | Comox | British Columbia | Non-flying |
| 19 Operations Support Squadron | Comox | British Columbia | Non-flying |
Command Team
Commander
Colonel
Chris Shapka, CD
Chief Warrant Officer
Chief Warrant Officer
Daniel McCutcheon
Badge and motto
VESTIGIA-NULLA-RETRORSUM (No retreat)
The sharp shinned hawk, a short winged bird of prey, is indigenous to the area of British Columbia where the unit was formed. Although not large, the bird is forceful. The western dogwood is also representative of the region, as it is plentiful in the area.
Honorary Colonel Robert Quartermain
An Honorary Colonel is a distinguished civilian appointed by the Minister of National Defence to strengthen relationships with local, professional, and civic communities. The role is honorary and advisory in nature, providing support to the local Commander through engagement in ceremonial functions, advocacy, and the promotion of RCAF traditions, while contributing to the well-being of military personnel and their families.
History
The airfield at Comox was opened as a Royal Air Force Base in 1942 and was officially constituted as a Royal Canadian Air Force Aerodrome on May 1, 1943. Read more about the history of 19 Wing/CFB Comox.
Related links
Contact
19 Wing/CFB Comox Headquarters
PO Box 1000 Station Main
Lazo BC V0R 2K0
Shipping address
Bldg 45 – HQ Central Registry
1 Labrador Ln
Lazo BC V0R 2K0
Public Affairs Officer
Phone: 250-339-8201
Email: 19wingpublicaffairs@forces.gc.ca
Flying a drone
Civilian drone operations within 3 nautical miles (5.6 kilometers) of an aerodrome under the authority of the Department of National Defence (MND) requires pre-authorization. For more information about these zones and how to properly access them, please consult the National Research Council of Canada Drone Site Selection tool and section 3.2.35 of the Remotely Piloted Aircraft chapter of Transport Canada Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM). Civilian drone operators with the required licence and registered drone who are seeking to fly within a Wing aerodrome must contact the Wing in advance for approval.
