April 1, 1924. That was the day that the Royal Canadian Air Force was founded.
As we look ahead at 2024, special celebrations will be front and centre for Canadian Forces Base Trenton.
Not only will Canada’s most important air base be prominent in any national celebrations, 8 Wing will also be home to the Quinte International Air Show at the end of June.
Wing Commander Colonel Leighton James says the two major events for 2024’s celebrations will be the air show and RCAF Run .
He says there will also be initiatives to honour and highlight individuals who have had impacts on the RCAF and the National Air Force Museum of Canada.
It is not just celebrations that will highlight the year ahead.
Colonel James says over the next five to seven years, 8 Wing is going to be transformed.
“Some large hangar buildings on the northwest side of the base, the runway is going to be re-enforced, some of the older hangars you see have to be replaced and the very iconic Hangar 10, which you see with the large orange reinforced spires at the top, will eventually come down. So the base is very much going to transform.”
MORE BELOW
CC150 Polaris at a hangar in Trenton (Photo: Royal Canadian Air Force)
The cargo and passenger terminals are also going to be renovated and expanded.
James says the CC330 passenger and refuelling fleet has begun coming online and will be housed in Trenton.
“What the 330 brings, the replacement for the 150, the Airbus, it brings a new, massive passenger capability, fuelling capability.”
He says before any major ground infrastructure work is done, the focus in 2024 will be on the preparation for the arrival of the CC-330 fleet.
PHOTOS OF THE CC330 BELOW
(Photo Courtesy – Royal Canadian Air Force)
(Photo Courtesy – Royal Canadian Air Force)
