CFB Winnipeg flying high after 100 years
Members of Canadian Forces Base Winnipeg are preparing to celebrate its 100th anniversary in style.
One of the country's oldest air bases, CFB Winnipeg — which contains 17 Wing — opened on April 1, 1925.
The commanding officer and chairperson for the centennial, Lt.-Col. Geneviève Dussault, said the members are excited to celebrate the historic milestone with the community.
Photo by MCpl Darryl Hepner, 17 Wing Public Affairs
A member of CFB Winnipeg shows off the 100-year badge commemorating the anniversary.
'We're just so busy, day in and day out, accomplishing our mission, that we're not stopping to highlight our history,' Dussault, who has more than 25 years of service with the Royal Canadian Air Force, said. 'It's really important to thank our people for what they've done over the last 100 years.'
Originally called RCAF Station Winnipeg, the base trained pilots, navigators, observers and wireless operators during the Second World War. Today, CFB Winnipeg continues to train aircrews and provides search-and-rescue assistance.
The base will hold a freedom of the city parade in which members will march to city hall carrying rifles and bayonets at 10 a.m. Wednesday. A fly-over is scheduled for 10:15 a.m.
Dussault said freedom of the city events date back to the medieval ages, when armies and cities were separate. She said the army would request a city allow them in with their weapons to show trust.
Today, it is a ceremonial and rare event, reserved for special occasions. The last one in Winnipeg was in 1992.
The base will also participate in Doors Open Winnipeg — a free event where community members can visit, take guided bus tours of the base and learn about its history — from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 24.
'That's going to be good because we'll be able to connect with the community, and people that did not know we existed — or knew we existed but never had the chance to visit — will be able to come and really learn about the amazing things we do,' Dussault said.
'Hopefully, at the same time, we'll be able to inspire the future.'
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The base began centennial celebrations last month with a gala and a contest to design a new badge, which was won by a member. The patches will be worn over the next year.
Dussault said CFB Winnipeg has grown a lot in 100 years. It now includes 17 Wing and the headquarters for 1 Canadian Air Division and the Canadian region of NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command). It is also a training facility for the RCAF, and is in charge of 16 Wing in Borden, Ont., and 15 Wing in Portage la Prairie and Moose Jaw, Sask.
'It makes me proud of all the 100 years of dedicated work from all the folks. We didn't know then when construction was being done, how much this place would develop and how important it would be for our operation in Canada and across the world,' Dussault said.
Drivers and cyclists on parts of Main and King streets and James and William avenues could experience delays during the parade, but the streets are expected to remain open.
fpcity@freepress.mb.ca
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