Description

The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) serves as the air and space branch of Canada’s military, with a mission to provide relevant and responsive airpower to the Canadian Armed Forces. As of 2020, the RCAF operates 258 manned aircraft and nine unmanned aerial vehicles, supported by over 12,000 Regular Force members, nearly 2,000 Reservists, and civilian staff. The RCAF plays a critical role in enforcing Canadian airspace security, supporting naval and army missions, and partnering with the U.S. under NORAD to protect continental airspace. It also leads the National Search and Rescue Program.

Established in 1920 as the Canadian Air Force, it received royal sanction in 1924, becoming the Royal Canadian Air Force. The RCAF has participated in major conflicts including World War II, the Korean War, and the Gulf War, as well as numerous peacekeeping and NATO operations. Though amalgamated into the unified Canadian Armed Forces in 1968, the RCAF regained its historic name in 2011. Over the years, it has adapted to modern threats, contributing to international efforts in Libya, Afghanistan, and Eastern Europe.