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A Year to Remember: CFB Winnipeg Marks 100 Years of Service, Community, and Connection
- 17wingcorpservices
- 7 hours ago
- 4 min read
As the calendar edges toward 1 April, Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Winnipeg officially reaches the end of its 100th Anniversary year. Guided by a simple but meaningful goal — to highlight the base’s history, connect with the community, and inspire the future — the anniversary year unfolded through a series of events that emphasized participation, storytelling, and shared pride.
The festivities began early, with a competition to design the 100th Anniversary patch, inviting creativity from all corners of the base. Several designs were submitted, each capturing a unique perspective of CFB Winnipeg’s legacy and spirit. The winning design, ultimately chosen by the anniversary committee, was created by 38 Canadian Brigade Group’s (CBG) Public Affairs Officer, Captain Miguel Moldez, and has since become a symbol of the yearlong celebration.
April saw the sold-out 100th Anniversary Dinner, a formal gathering attended by over 700 military personnel, civilians, and guests. The event combined ceremony, storytelling, and camaraderie, offering a chance to reflect on a century of service while celebrating the people who make it all possible. The dinner set a tone of pride and energy that would echo throughout the year.
In May, CFB Winnipeg took its celebration to City Hall with a Freedom of the City parade, the first in Winnipeg since 1992. Members of the base participated in the ceremony that included a flyby by a CT-142 “Gonzo” from 402 Squadron, commemorating the city’s enduring bond with the Canadian Armed Forces. The parade showcased the professionalism, dedication, and esprit de corps of the Defence Team, with the event captured in dynamic photos and video to provide a lasting record of the occasion.
That same spirit of civic connection carried into other moments across the city. Later in May, members of CFB Winnipeg participated in the Winnipeg Goldeyes’ home opener at Blue Cross Park, where base personnel unfurled a large Canadian flag during the opening ceremonies and national anthem. The moment offered a visible and meaningful reminder of the longstanding relationship between the base and the community it serves.
Historical reflection has also been central to the centennial. As part of this focus, the base unveiled plaques at Canadian Mennonite University (formerly No. 3 Wireless School), Churchill High School (formerly Brandon Air Station), and James Richardson International Airport (formerly Stevenson Field). These markers honour sites that played significant roles in training aircrew and supporting operations during the Second World War.
The legacy of that era is inseparable from the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) — a monumental Allied training program that saw more than 131,000 pilots, navigators, bombardiers, wireless operators and other aircrew graduate from schools across Canada between 1940 and 1945. These plaques serve as tangible reminders of how integral these locations were to the BCATP and to Canada’s broader contribution to Allied efforts, preserving history for future generations.
June also brought moments of reflection and recognition. The Mayor of Winnipeg hosted a Canadian Forces Base Winnipeg Centennial Luncheon at City Hall, bringing together municipal leaders, Defence representatives, and community partners to formally acknowledge the base’s 100 years of service and its enduring role within the city’s social, economic, and historical fabric.
That same month, the base planned to host an Indigenous Reconciliation Gathering to honour Indigenous history and culture while strengthening relationships with local Indigenous communities. Although the 2025 event was ultimately cancelled due to wildfire-related emergencies in northern Manitoba and Ontario, the planning, intent, and partnerships behind the initiative reflect the base’s ongoing commitment to inclusion, collaboration, and meaningful engagement with Indigenous communities. Future iterations remain a priority as CFB Winnipeg seeks to strengthen these relationships.
Community engagement continued with CFB Winnipeg’s participation in Doors Open Winnipeg 2025, marking the first official participation in this annual community heritage program, offering the public an unprecedented opportunity to explore the base as part of its centennial celebrations. More than 3,000 visitors took advantage, gaining insight into RCAF operations, aircraft, and training facilities. For their participation, the base was awarded the People’s Choice Award for Best Overall Experience, as voted by participants across the city — a fitting recognition of both the effort and the welcoming atmosphere provided by Defence Team members.
Supporting the Base’s milestone, the Manitoba Moose hosted a CFB Winnipeg 100th Anniversary hockey game in November, with the team sporting custom jerseys featuring the centennial crest. The event combined fun, community engagement, and a celebration of the base’s impact across the city, from military readiness to civic participation. Even the base mess joined the centennial spirit with a commemorative CFB Winnipeg 100th Anniversary lager crafted for the occasion.
“I am incredibly impressed by the support from both our Defence Team members and the public in helping us celebrate CFB Winnipeg’s 100th Anniversary,” said Colonel Jody Hanson, Commander, Canadian Forces Base Winnipeg. “It has been a year full of memorable events and community engagement, reflecting the spirit and history of our base.”
Looking back, the 100th Anniversary year has been a testament to both the legacy and the living, dynamic work of CFB Winnipeg. From historical reflection to community connection, from ceremonial pride to operational readiness, the year has shown how a century of service continues to shape the base’s present and future.
In doing so, the 100th Anniversary achieved exactly what it set out to do — honouring the past, strengthening ties with the community, and setting the conditions for the next century of service at CFB Winnipeg. The stories, images, and memories created in this year will inspire those who serve and support the base long into the future, ensuring that the history, values, and spirit of CFB Winnipeg continue to resonate far beyond its 100th year.
