People of Canada’s Airforce - 100 Years

University of Calgary Founders' Gallery

1 April - 2 Sept 2024

People of Canada’s Airforce - 100 Years This April marks 100 years of the Royal Canadian Air Force. Disdained prior to 1914 as a non-viable arm of the military, the Air Force did not take root in Canada as a military element until well after the end of World War I. Building on the impressive legacy of Canadian aircrew and groundcrew serving with British units during the First World War, the Canadian Air Force grew over the next one hundred years into a military branch distinct in culture and contribution to Canada’s military heritage.

This exhibition illustrates how a distinct Air Force cultural identity emerged from the working environment, technology, and lifestyle experienced by airmen and airwomen between 1914 and 2024. It also tracks the continuity and evolution of this centenarian cultural identity and examines how it has contributed to operational efficiency to date.

Curated by Alison Mercer and produced by the Air Force Museum of Alberta.