The Canadian Forces Museum of Aerospace Defence (CFMAD) at 22 Wing/Canadian Forces Base North Bay is celebrating its 25th anniversary this week.
CFMAD opened in 1998 in what used to be a social centre at 22 Wing, and in 25 years has grown its collection to over 10,000 artifacts and welcomed tens of thousands of visitors.
As one of the core museums of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), it covers the history of Canadians in air and aerospace defence since the First World War, with a focus on Cold War and modern-day operations and North Bay’s significant role since it opened as RCAF Station North Bay in 1951.
See: Hidden gem: 22 Wing Museum of Aerospace Defence
And: Hear personal stories from women in air defence
"The Canadian Forces Museum of Aerospace Defence has been, and will continue to be, an extremely important piece of deeply rooted history for all Armed Forces members involved in air defence," says Major Andrew Baier, Museum Chair. "Their experiences, dating back to the First World War, live forever in this integral part of CFB North Bay.”
Bethany Aitchison, Curator, adds that, “CFMAD is so proud to share the stories of the members of 22 Wing past and present with the North Bay community and visitors to the region. From the staff at the radar stations across the country, to the aircrews who intercepted suspicious aircraft, and everyone in between, the air defence community in Canada has a wonderful story to tell. We thank everyone who has visited and supported us over our first 25 years.”
To celebrate, CFMAD will be hosting two visiting military-themed exhibits this summer. The first, an art exhibit by artist and veteran Peter Robichaud of Halifax is available for viewing now, and the second exhibit on loan from an Army museum will be opening mid-summer and run until mid-October.
There are lots of interesting displays, you can even jump into the cockpit of a CT-133 Silverstar T-Bird jet plane...the longest-serving airplane in Canada's military history.
Part of a German Buzz Bomb is displayed, along with audio of how it would have sounded as it threatened British citizens from the skies above London.
There's stuff about the nuclear-tipped Bomarc missiles that were based here. The name comes from the combination of the weapon's two manufacturers...Boeing and Michigan Aerospace Research Centre.
Current museum hours are Saturday are noon – 4 pm, or by booking throughout the week. Extended summer hours begin after Canada Day and will be Tuesday – Friday noon – 4 pm and Saturday 10– 4. For more information about the museum, please visit www.aerospacedefence.ca or call 705-494-2011 ext 2261.
