From its regal position on the top hill of the Comox Valley, the Canadian Forces 19 Wing air force base has watched over the local area and Canada’s West Coast for more than 60 years.
The air base was opened in 1942 to fulfill wartime duties, but the mission has transitioned to focus on search and rescue, coastal surveillance, transport, combat support and contingency operations.
There are three squadrons at 19 Wing — the only Canadian air base west of the Rocky Mountains.
The 407 Maritime Patrol Squadron flies five CP-140 Auroras, 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron flies six CC-115 Buffalo aircraft and five CH-149 Cormorant helicopters (all a distinctively bold yellow), and 19 Air Maintenance Squadron provides maintenance for the base’s aircraft and support to the squadrons.
Comox’s base boasts the province’s second-longest runway — a 10,000-foot-stretch that can accommodate a space shuttle. A portion of the base’s property is leased to the Comox Valley Airport.
The Maritime Patrol unit monitors maritime approaches far into the Pacific and Arctic — originally designed for submarine surveillance, it now plays an important role in watching for illegal activity like fishing contraventions.
The Search and Rescue squadron covers the country’s busiest region — helping people in trouble, often in rugged and inaccessible terrain and severe weather.
The base is also home to the country’s school of search and rescue and also supports sea cadets at HMCS Quadra and the Regional Gliding School (Pacific).
While a fully secure site, the operations and people of 19 Wing are an important part of the Comox Valley. With 1,000 Canadian Forces members and 200 civilian members, the base is the local area’s largest employer — filled with people who contribute both in and outside of work toward the health of the community.
