by CM Walton-Simm, Managing Editor
(reprinted from the 9 June 1999 issue of The Voxair, Winnipeg, Manitoba)
Back in 1994, with the resurrection of the Wing concept in the Canadian Air Force and thus the stand-up of 17 Wing, it was determined that a requirement existed to select a new symbol to represent the Wing and its important role in the Canadian Air Force. As a result, a contest was held in the fall of 1994, via the Voxair, to come up with a new badge for 17 Wing. There were 10 contest entrants and a committee was formed, in January 1995, to judge the winning submission and a selection was made.
The winning badge design was submitted by MCpI Al MacKenzie, at the time, a firefighter from the CE Squadron. MCpI MacKenzie received a $100 award under the auspices of the Wing Ideas Program. Further refinement of his concept was subsequently carried out by MCpI MacKenzie, with the support of a graphic artist resulting in the final badge concept. The final badge proposal was submitted for approval to Director History and Heritage. through SSO Heritage in the then Air Command Headquarters.
In January 1997, a badge request was forwarded from Director History and Heritage to the Athabaska Herald under the terms of the inter-departmental Memorandum of Understanding on Military Heraldry. Liaison between 17 Wg and Government House was authorized for detailed badge design and development and further changes to the design took place in order to satisfy heraldic requirements.
The original submission incorporated a centrepiece consisting of water, a canoe and an overlay of an abstract aircraft. The water represented the primary access routes which made Winnipeg a major centre, being situated at the junction of the Red & Assiniboine Rivers. The canoe depicted one of the main sources of transportation used for trade, exploration and the development of Manitoba. The City Of Winnipeg’s connection with military aviation dates back to the 1920’s. The abstract aircraft represents the multi-function role 17 Wing has played throughout the years. Its futuristic design is recognition of 17 Wing’s contribution to the future of the Air Force through its training and professional development activities.
Between 1997 and 1998 design work was conducted by the Athabaska Herald and numerous modifications were made. Much redesign was completed on the airfoil or arrowhead as it is considered now. The approval process itself is quite lengthy and it was only recently that the final version was approved and signed off by the Governor General of Canada.
The final badge features a canoe resting on an heraldic depiction of water, recalling the location of 17 Wing in Winnipeg near the historic waterways that meet in this part of Canada. The badge also features a stylized arrowhead as a symbolic reference to the varied role 17 Wing has played in ‘Canadian Military aviation. The Motto ‘Heritage’ refers to 17 Wing’s responsibilities in the field of military aviation.
As you can see, the final product is markedly different than the original badge design conceptualized at 17 Wing and the significance of the badge is not the same either. It seems time faded all memories along the process and it will now have to be time that will mend our broken hearts…