Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Borden celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) with a monument unveiling and museum reopening on Tuesday.
Canada's Air Force was formed in 1920 but was given the royal title on April 1, 1924, and CFB Borden was the birthplace.
The base is home to 16 Wing Borden, which coordinates the activities of three RCAF schools - the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Technology and Engineering, the RCAF Academy, both located in Borden, and the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Control Operations, located in Cornwall.
The celebrations started with the reopening of the Hangar 11 Museum.
The building contains historical military planes, equipment, and tellings of the RCAF's, and CFB Borden's, past. Dr. Andrew Gregory, museum director, says even the hangar itself is an artifact.
"The best preserved of the wartime hangars," said Gregory. "This hangar was always part of 16 Wing's heritage efforts.
"In the mid-1990s, it was transferred from the Air Force to the Base Borden Military Museum. This is only one gallery of the Base Borden Military Museum, there's two others at our main complex, so, it has always been part of what we call the south side's heritage ... there's some fantastic artifacts here."
The celebrations continued with the unveiling of the Ad Astra Monument near the entrance of CFB Borden in Angus.
Officials say the 16 Wing Honorary Colonels conceived the monument as a legacy project.
"Ad Astra, Latin for 'to the stars,' serves as the inspiration for the monument, aligned with the RCAF's Air Command motto, 'Sic Itur Ad Astra' - 'Such is the pathway to the stars," officials said.
Sculptor Marlene Hilton Moore created the piece, which features a column with LED illumination on a pedestal.
"As dusk falls, it will emit a gentle blue glow into the sky, symbolizing the journey from the birthplace of the RCAF to the stars," officials added.
Lieutenant-General Eric Kenny says it started with a goal of recognizing the history of the Royal Canadian Air Force and to showcase the importance of CFB Borden.
"They wanted to highlight the enormity of the sacrifices made by those who have served, while recognizing the dedication of those who serve today and providing a shining beacon for those who will serve in the future."
Banner image and video captured via Barrie 360 (Andrew Sorokan)
