17 Wing Commander, Jody Hanson presents Cpl Darren McDonald with a Canadian Forces Base Winnipeg Centennial Patch to celebrate the bases’ 100th Anniversary, on March 31, 2025, at 17 Wing Winnipeg. (MCPL DARRYL HEPNER, 17 WING WINNIPEG PHOTO)
Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Winnipeg marked a major milestone on Tuesday as it celebrated its 100th anniversary.
A cornerstone of Canadian military aviation, the base has played a pivotal role from its contributions to the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) to its support in domestic operations like Op LENTUS.
Today, CFB Winnipeg remains a key player in Canada’s defence, serving as home to 1 Canadian Air Division (1 CAD) and the Canadian NORAD Region Headquarters, ensuring the security of North America.
The base is also the hub of Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) training, hosting 2 Canadian Air Division (2 CAD), which oversees education for Air Operations Officers, Air Combat Systems Officers, and Airborne Electronic Sensor Operators. Additionally, it plays a vital role in search and rescue operations nationwide.
To commemorate the centennial, Base Commander Colonel Jody Hanson and Base Chief Warrant Officer Philippe Cousineau toured the base, distributing special 100th-anniversary morale patches. The patches, designed by Captain Miguel Moldez of 38 Canadian Brigade Group and selected through a base-wide contest, will be worn throughout the year as a symbol of CFB Winnipeg’s proud legacy and its commitment to the future.
