Borden Air Force History
The Royal Flying Corps (1917-1918), the Royal Air Force (1918-1919), the Canadian Air Force (1920-1923), and the Royal Canadian Air Force (1924-1966) all trained in Borden.
In 1917, Camp Borden became the first flying station to begin full-scale operations and it was the largest of the Royal Flying Corps fields in Canada. From 1917-1919 Camp Borden was the chief training centre in Canada for the Royal Flying Corps and later, the Royal Air Force.
When the Canadian Air Force was established in 1920, Borden became its School of Aviation and its most important Station. With the creation of the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1924 Borden was still the busiest of the six stations that the Air force managed. It remained the busiest until 1940 when a permanent training centre was formed in Trenton. Primary Flying School was relocated from Borden to Portage la Prairie in April 1970 and the Borden airfield became a non-operational airfield.
Today CFB Borden is home to 16 Wing, the Air Command Professional Development and Training Centre and the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Technology and Engineering. Since 1996, Borden has been the home of 400 Squadron (Reserve Tactical Helicopter).
The Air Force Annex serves to remind us of the Airmen and Airwomen who have maintained, repaired and flew the aircraft as well as those who have supported them.
