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The Pickle Barrel Club

(Republished from the 15 August 1941 issue of The Fingal Observer) Floating about over Lake Erie in a Fairey Battle aircraft some time ago, one of the air observers in training at this School gazed through the intricate device of a bomb sight. Making the necessary calculations, he released a bomb. The missile struck, and as seen from the air, a cloud of spray or smoke spread completely over the target. The trainee who released the bomb became the only bomb aimer to ever score a direct hit from the height of 10,000 feet. His objective was a thirty-foot triangular […]

Closure of CFB Portage La Prairie

(Republished from the 9 September 1993 issue of The Voxair) By Col R.R. Henault, Base Commander, CFB Portage La Prairie RCAF Station Portage La Prairie first opened in July 1940 as a wartime training site of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Since that date, it has proudly served the aircrew training needs of the RCAF and the Canadian Forces, and has become an integral part of Canadian aviation history. In 1989, in support of the Government of Canada’s plan to reduce expenditures, it was announced that CFB Portage La Prairie, one of the oldest and busiest flying training bases […]

Republished Articles

CFB Winnipeg Becomes 17 Wing Winnipeg

(Republished from the 31 March 1993 issue of The Voxair) By Capt J.L.D. Lachance, WPIO Background 1 April 1993 will not only mark the 69th Anniversary of the Air Force, but also introduce a new chapter in the evolution of Canada’s rich and proud history of military aviation, as the Air Force transitions Air Command Bases into a Wing structure. Canada’s military aviation first established Wing organizational structures and nomenclature in World War I, with the formation of No. 1 Canadian Wing Royal Air Force in 1918. Along with Commands, Groups, Squadrons and Flights, Canadian Wings were patterned upon the […]

Republished Articles | Units

402 Sqn Pipes, Drums and Dancers

(Republished from the 20 February 1991 issue of The Voxair) by MWO Neil A. Barbour The 402 “City of Winnipeg” Squadron Pipe Band was formed in 1954, and is currently under the direction of Pipe Major Neil A. Barbour, C.D. He has been a member of the band since 1964, and pipe major since 1979. Over the years, the 402 Squadron Pipes, Drums and Dancers have garnered many honours and have played at, or participated in, many significant events. In 1990, they participated in the Scottish Highland Festival in Estes Park, Colorado, and because of their impressive performance, they have […]

RCAF History | Republished Articles

CFB Winnipeg Awarded “Freedom of the City”

(Republished from the 18 November 1992 issue of The Voxair) By Capt D. McDonnell, CFANS It began with the rhythmic sound of over 350 smartly dressed military personnel marching through downtown Winnipeg. At the front of the column was Col J.R.B. Proulx, Base Commander of Canadian Forces Base Winnipeg. As they neared City Hall, the formation was stopped by City of Winnipeg Police Chief and Col Proulx was escorted to the front doors of the Council Building. Drawing a ceremonial sword, he knocked three times and requested an audience with the Mayor. Such were the opening moments of the Freedom […]

RCAF History | Republished Articles

1 Air Mov Sqn Passenger Terminal Dedication Ceremony

(Republished from the 17 January 1996 issue of The Voxair) On a very cold and blustery Tuesday, 5 December 1995, the personnel of 1 Air Movements Sqn, along with a number of invited guests, assembled in 19 Hangar for the official dedication of the CWO William Ledingham Clark Passenger Terminal. The brief ceremony, held in the arrivals area of the terminal, was the culmination of nearly eighteen months of work for both Sqn staff, as well as CWO Clark’s family. Although construction of the terminal began in the late summer of 1994, and the building opened for use in October […]

RCAF History | Republished Articles

Air Force Way

by Capt Neil Kinley (Republished from the 28 February 1996 issue of The Voxair) Living on Air Force Way The Air Force is in Winnipeg to stay. It must be, as the City of Winnipeg now has street signs that say so. The city has renamed Sharp Boulevard north of Ness Avenue, Air Force Way. Air Force Way signs went up at the corner of Ness and Sharp and at Silver Avenue on February 1, 1996. City work crews laboured in -35C temperatures putting up the new signs along the street which leads into 17 Wing and Air Command Headquarters. […]

RCAF History | Republished Articles | Units

17 Wing Welcomes 435

by Capt Neil Kinley (WPAFFO) (Republished from the 21 September 1994 issue of The Voxair) With its four Allison engines roaring, Canadian Forces Hercules number 333 taxied onto the ramp of its new home at 17 Wing Winnipeg on August 22, 1994. This was the last of seven Hercs to arrive at 17 Wing from 18 Wing Edmonton, completing the move of 435 Squadron to its new base of operation in Winnipeg. The men and women of 435 Squadron were formed up on the ramp to greet the aircraft and crew, carrying the Squadron Colours and Colour Party. Also on […]

Personnel | Republished Articles

When boy meets girls…

by Sgt Ross Mason (Republished from the April 1944 issue of Wings – Log of the RCAF) MONTREAL — Pity poor S Stein of Hamilton who graduated recently from 1 Wireless School, Montreal, as a radio telephone operator. Airman Stein uses the right kind of soap in his shower; brushes his teeth with the proper dentifrices; is right on the bit with his Emily Post; and launders his underthings in Lux. But he wasn’t allowed to associate with his classmates after lessons. AC2 Stein couldn’t drill with them. He couldn’t play games with them. His quarters were separated from theirs. […]

RCAF History | Republished Articles

Winged Commandos

Leadership, stamina, survival-these are the elements of the new grad course that turns RCAF aircrew into… by Sgt – Bombaimer Irv Johns (Republished from the April 1944 issue of Wings – Log of the RCAF) The morning stillness shattered into echoing action as a yelling, leaping group of figures streaked across a field, caromed off the top of high barriers, tore through barbed wire entanglements, and were momentarily silhouetted against the early sky on high-swinging ropes to disappear down the road like Gunder Haegg in a hurry. And that, brother, is how air graduates are being trained to travel now. […]

RCAF History | Republished Articles | Units

R.C.A.F. Mash

by Major W.A. March (Republished from the 2 March 1994 issue of The Voxair) By the summer of 1943, preparations in England for the upcoming “Second Front” in Europe began to reach a fever pitch. New Canadian air force units were formed, or transferred overseas, to fill the requirements put forward by Allied commands as they geared up to provide air support to the planned invasion. More and more of these units were attached to the Second Tactical Air Force (2TAF) until by August 1943, approximately fifty per cent of this formation was composed of squadrons and personnel from the […]

Construction | Republished Articles

British Commonwealth Air Training Plan Memorial

Aims and Intent of 500 (City of Winnipeg) Wing, Air Force Association of Canada (Republished from the 29 April 1998 issue of The Voxair) This memorial is our plan to make a final salute to those Men and Women who, in the tumultuous years 1939-1945, put their lives on hold, whilst they banded together to fight a foe so ruthless and dangerous that, had he succeeded, the world would have become as Sir Winston Churchill said “More perverse by the thoughts and deeds of perverted men and science”. These young men came from all parts of the British Commonwealth, and […]

Artefacts | Republished Articles

Battle of Britain Lace Tapestry

(Republished from the 3 May 1989 issue of The Voxair) INTRODUCTION The Battle of Britain Commemorative Lace Tapestry was created between the years 1942 and 1946 by the Nottingham firm of Dobsons and M. Browne and Co. Ltd., the largest lace producer in Europe at that time. The tapestry is a lace panel measuring 180 inches in height by 65 inches wide and depicts exact reproductions of scenes witnessed during the bombing of London. Also illustrated are the various aircraft in the battle, the badges of the Allied Air Forces involved and the names of the principal craftsmen who worked […]

Aircraft | Republished Articles

Dakota – A Last Farewell – Un dernier adieu

(reprinted from the 22 March 1989 issue of The Voxair) Flew in Burma by Maj. Robert Butt Four of the Dakota aircraft that will retire from RCAF and OF service in March 1989, didn’t start their operational lives with the RCAF. In fact, they started with the RAF and were later returned to the RCAF after service with Canadian squadrons overseas. The first of these is tail number 12963, the 48th Dakota to see service with the Canadian military and one of two still in service that flew in Burma. Built at the Douglas Oklahoma City plant in 1942, this […]

Republished Articles | Units

Ghost Squadron anything but frightful

(reprinted from the 7 February 2001 issue of , The Voxair) 17 Wing Ghost Sqn is here to save the day, or at least some vintage aircraft equipment. Reductions in manpower and money has made life a little tougher for all of us and has especially made it tough for 17 Wing to continue maintaining Air Force Heritage Park with existing resources. Members of Ghost Squadron are all volunteers who, according to the Memorandum of Understanding between DND and the Air Force Association of Canada (AFAC), “have a willingness and desire to assist 17 Wing to complete non-operational projects.” Air […]

RCAF History | Republished Articles

Stations of the RCAF: Victoria Island

(reprinted from the October 1962 issue of The Roundel) by Flight Lieutenant E.E. Boyd Within sight of the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa is an area destined to become one of Canada’s newest federal parks. This small piece of real estate is rich in local lore and military heritage. It is called Victoria Island. Situated in the Ottawa River between Ottawa and Hull, Quebec, this 12-acre island has played a major role in the annals of both Canada’s history and industrial growth. Victoria Island was an Indian settlement long before the white man discovered Canada. Later the island became a temporary […]

Heraldry | Republished Articles

The Making of a new badge for 17 Wing

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 […]

Construction | RCAF History | Republished Articles

The Garden of Memories

(reprinted from the 1 September 1999 issue of The Voxair, Winnipeg, Manitoba) The old saying “From small acorn grow big oak trees” might well be appropriate for the Garden of Memories. What started as three old guys sitting around sipping on a cup of coffee in August of 1996, discussing what we might do to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the RCAF as a Wing of the Air Force Association of Canada, ended up being a place cherished by thousands of people from across the globe.As one idea after another was raised, discussed, chosen or eliminated, it finally dawned upon […]

Personnel | RCAF History | Republished Articles

The George Cross Recipients

(reprinted from the 1 September 1999 issue of The Voxair, Winnipeg, Manitoba) In a previous issue, the significance of the George Cross was described. This issue we look at the recipients and the acts for which they were recognized. The danger inherent in their actions can be seen in the fact that three of the five died while trying to save their comrades. Aircraftman 1st Class Ernest Ralph Clyde Frost, GC, CD Aircraftman Frost was born in Trois-Rivieres, Quebec. After finishing high school, he worked at a number of menial jobs, before deciding to go to England. He reached England […]

Republished Articles | Uniforms

New Uniforms

(reprinted from the 20 February 1985 issue of The Voxair, Winnipeg, Manitoba) Blue, tan, white and green in your future. OTTAWA — Defence Minister Robert Coates has unveiled plans for the introduction of three distinctive environmental uniforms for the Canadian Forces. While retaining the unified force structure, the sea element will be issued with dark blue uniforms, the land element will wear green and the air element will have light blue uniforms. “This new initiative is tangible evidence of the government’s commitment to the Canadian Forces. Moreover, since the cloth and uniforms will be manufactured in Canada. it will also […]

Announcements | Construction | Republished Articles

The New Air Command H.Q.’S Building

(reprinted from the 30 May 1984 issue of The Voxair, Winnipeg, Manitoba) The Honourable Lloyd Axworthy, Minister of Transport, MP for Winnipeg — Fort Garry, on behalf of Defence Minister Jean-Jacques Blais, has announced Treasury Board approval of a #28.4 million expenditure for the construction of a new Air Command Headquarters building. The 10,600 square meter structure, to be built at Canadian Forces Base Winnipeg, will provide modern, energy-efficient working space for approximately 650 Air Command staff, currently housed in seven Second World War structures. ‘These wood-frame buildings have reached the end of their life expectancy and are too expensive […]

Aircraft | Republished Articles

Battle Of Britain Beauty Bailed Out By BAMEO

(reprinted from the 15 October 1980 issue of The Voxair, Winnipeg, Manitoba) During the recent Commonwealth Aircrew Reunion held in Winnipeg, Hollywood actor Cliff Robertson’s vintage Mk 9b Spitfire developed serious engine oil and coolant leaks. The aircraft was unable to fly without permanent repairs so a plea for help went out to CFB Winnipeg’s Aircraft Maintenance section. To the rescue came SGT Bob Hare, an Aero Engine technician and Winnipeg’s only remaining “Fitter” with Rolls Royce Merlin experience.Ably assisted by a crew of technicians obviously delighted with the chance to work on such a classic, SGT Hare completed all […]

Republished Articles | Uncategorized

The Last Bomb Aimer

(reprinted from the 14 May 1980 issue of The Voxair, Winnipeg, Manitoba) WINNIPEG—Chief Warrant Officer Clemens Bernhardt, 55, center, of CFB Winnipeg, Man., the last serving member of the regular force entitled to wear the World War II bomb aimer badge, is honored at his retirement dinner at the base by LCOL J E Laye (left), Base Technical Services Officer, and MAJ A V Milani (right). CO of 401 Technical Services Detachment. CWO Bernhardt joined the RCAF in 1943 and served in many areas of Canada while earning his bomb aimer’s wings.Demobilized in 1944, he rejoined the RCAF in 1947 […]

Republished Articles

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