Royal Canadian Air Force facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Royal Canadian Air Force |
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| Aviation royale canadienne (French) | |
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| Founded | 1 April 1924 |
| Country | Canada |
| Type | Air force |
| Role | Aerial warfare |
| Size | 391 operational aircraft Personnel: Regular Force 14,500 Reserve Force: 2,600 Civilians: 2,500 |
| Part of | Canadian Armed Forces |
| Headquarters | National Defence Headquarters, Ottawa, Ontario |
| Motto(s) | Latin: Sic Itur ad Astra, lit. 'such is the pathway to the stars' Latin: Per ardua ad astra, lit. 'through adversity to the stars' – (1924 to 1968) |
| March | "RCAF March Past" |
| Anniversaries | Armed Forces Day (first Sunday of June) |
| Engagements | Second World War • Battle of Britain • Battle of the Atlantic • Battle of the St. Lawrence • European Bombing campaign • Western Front Korean War Gulf War • Operation Friction Operation Deliberate Force Kosovo War • Operation Echo War in Afghanistan Intervention in Libya • Operation Unified Protector • Operation Mobile Military intervention against ISIL • Operation Impact |
| Commanders | |
| Commander-in-chief | Charles III, King of Canada represented by Julie Payette, Governor General |
| Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force | Lieutenant-General Al Meinzinger |
| Chief Warrant Officer of the Royal Canadian Air Force | Chief Warrant Officer J.R.D. Gaudreault |
| Insignia | |
| Roundel |   |
| Fin flash |   |
| Flag |  |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter | CF-18 Hornet |
| Helicopter | CH-139 JetRanger, CH-146 Griffon, CH-147 Chinook, CH-148 Cyclone, CH-149 Cormorant |
| Patrol | CP-140 Aurora, CP-140A Arcturus |
| Reconnaissance | CU-170 Heron, |
| Trainer | CT-114 Tutor, CT-142 Dash-8, CT-155 Hawk, CT-156 Harvard II |
| Transport | CC-115 Buffalo, CC-130H Hercules, CC-130J Super Hercules, CC-138 Twin Otter, CC-144 Challenger, CC-150 Polaris, CC-177 Globemaster III |
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF; French: Aviation royale canadienne, ARC) is the air force of Canada. Its role is to "provide the Canadian Forces with relevant, responsive and effective airpower". The RCAF is one of three environmental commands within the unified Canadian Armed Forces. As of 2013, the Royal Canadian Air Force consists of 14,500 Regular Force and 2,600 Primary Reserve personnel, supported by 2,500 civilians, and operates 258 manned aircraft and 9 unmanned aerial vehicles. Lieutenant-General Al Meinzinger is the current Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force and Chief of the Air Force Staff.
The Royal Canadian Air Force is responsible for all aircraft operations of the Canadian Forces, enforcing the security of Canada's airspace and providing aircraft to support the missions of the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Army. The RCAF is a partner with the United States Air Force in protecting continental airspace under the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). The RCAF also provides all primary air resources to and is responsible for the National Search and Rescue Program.
The RCAF traces its history to the Canadian Air Force, which was formed in 1920. The Canadian Air Force was granted royal sanction in 1924 by King George V to form the Royal Canadian Air Force. In 1968, the RCAF was amalgamated with the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Army, as part of the unification of the Canadian Forces. Air units were split between several different commands: Air Defence Command (interceptors), Air Transport Command (airlift, search and rescue), Mobile Command (tactical fighters, helicopters), Maritime Command (anti-submarine warfare, maritime patrol), as well as Training Command.
In 1975, some commands were dissolved (ADC, ATC, TC), and all air units were placed under a new environmental command called simply Air Command (AIRCOM). Air Command reverted to its historic name of "Royal Canadian Air Force" in August 2011. The Royal Canadian Air Force has served in the Second World War, the Korean War, the Persian Gulf War, as well as several United Nations peacekeeping missions and NATO operations. As a NATO member, the force maintained a presence in Europe during the second half of the 20th century.
Images for kids
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Two armourers of No 440 Squadron RCAF re-arming a Hawker Typhoon in the Netherlands, 1944
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An RCAF CIM-10 Bomarc missile on a launch erecter in North Bay. Viewed as an alternative to the scrapped Avro Arrow, the Bomarc's adoption was controversial given its nuclear payload.
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An RCAF CF-18 Hornet during Operation Impact, 2015. CF-18s have been used by the RCAF since 1983.
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1945–1946
See also
In Spanish: Real Fuerza Aérea Canadiense para niños
