Mr. Speaker, the Royal Canadian Air Force was officially established 75 years ago on April 1, 1924.
In the second world war, Canadian pilots flew with dedication and heroism beside our allies to establish peace. Canadian aviators flew in the Korean War and served in Europe throughout the cold war. In 1991 our pilots tasted battle again, flying a variety of missions during the gulf war.
At home the air force conducts a number of missions, including search and rescue, med-evac operations and fire evacuations.
Abroad, air crews have provided support to peacekeeping missions in the Congo and Kashmir. Canadian pilots have brought critical supplies to the displaced and dispossessed after natural disasters. In Rwanda, for a time, we alone provided airlift. We were one of the nations providing the humanitarian air bridge to besieged Sarajevo.
At this very moment, Canadian aviators are flying in the Balkans with 12 CF-18s, two Hercules and personnel aboard NATO AWACS.
The air force motto is as relevant today as it was 75 years ago, “Through adversity to the stars”.