April 2024
Canadian Forces Base Borden, in the southern Ontario county of Simcoe, has been a training base for Canada’s Armed Forces for over a century. Opened on 11 July 1916 as Camp Borden, named after Sir Frederick Borden, Minister of Militia under Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier, it was originally a training centre for infantry battalions for the Canadian Expeditionary Force.
A year later, the Royal Flying Corps established an aerodrome at the camp to train pilots for the European battlefields. It was at the Camp Borden Aerodrome that the Royal Canadian Air Force was established on 1 April 1924. At its height, RCAF Station Camp Borden would become the largest military flying station of its time.
Although the only flying unit currently operating at Borden is 400 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, the RCAF still has a significant presence at Borden, with the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Technology and Engineering providing training for Aerospace Engineering Officers and Aircraft Technicians, and the RCAF Academy, which provides leadership training for non-commissioned members of the RCAF, both administered by 16 Wing Borden.
A new monument marking the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force was dedicated at the training base, one of several monuments, cenotaphs and outdoor static displays that can be found around Borden.
On 2 April 2024, the Ad Astra Monument (Latin for “To the stars.”), crafted by renowned local sculptor Marlene Hilton Moore, was unveiled at the north gate to Borden. This project, a part of the 100th anniversary celebrations for the RCAF, serves as a lasting tribute to the generations of men and women who have worn the air force blue.
The monument features a column atop a pedestal, with the words Sic Itur Ad Astra” – “Such is the pathway to the stars.” engraved on the face of the pedestal. The column has a series of LED lights that illuminate as dusk falls, looking like stars, reaching up into the sky, symbolizing the journey “from the birthplace of the RCAF to the stars.”
The ceremony concluded with a fly-over by two aircraft, representing two eras of the RCAF: a RCAF CF-18 Hornet fighter and a civilian-operated WWII-era Harvard training aircraft.
Dignitaries included Colonel Gabriel Doré, Commander of 16 Wing Commander, General Wayne Eyre, Chief of the Defence Staff, Chief Warrant Officer Bob McCann, Canadian Armed Forces Chief Warrant Officer, Lieutenant-General Eric Kenny, Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force, The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence and Honourary Lieutenant-General Richard Rohmer, OC, CMM, OOnt, DFC, CD, KC, a veteran of the RCAF in World War II and the post-war years.
Sources: Base Borden marks Royal Canadian Air Force’s 100th birthday (simcoe.com), Facebook, Monument set to soar at CFB Borden in tribute to RCAF centennial – Newmarket News (newmarkettoday.ca), Home – RCAF2024ARC, 100th Anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force – Canada.ca, CF-18s flyover Collingwood marking 100th anniversary of RCAF – Bradford News (bradfordtoday.ca), RCAF celebrates centennial with ‘to the stars’ monument | CTV News, Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Technology and Engineering – Wikipedia, Royal Canadian Air Force Academy – Wikipedia.
