Today marks celebrations across Canada, including Moose Jaw, for the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force. 

Beginning tonight, the City Hall clock tower will be illuminated blue to mark the occasion as part of a world record attempt for the most landmarks illuminated with the same colour at the same time. 

“There is going to be a time-lapse video of that so that we can participate in a nationwide endeavour to beat the Guinness Book of World Records for the most illuminated landmarks all at once,” explained Coun. Crystal Froese with the city’s Heritage Advisory Committee. 

The Prairie South School Division is also taking part by illuminating the bell towers at Central Collegiate and Prince Arthur School in blue. The RCAF is also encouraging others to light up their residence in blue tonight to show their support. 

There are also other intermittent events taking place throughout the year in Moose Jaw. The Royal Canadian Legion will have several events to mark the occasion and the Moose Jaw Municipal Airport and the Moose Jaw Flying Club in planning an event for August. 

The big celebrations will be the week of Sept. 7 to 14. Between Homestand and the Downtown Moose Jaw Association’s Little Chicago Show and Shine, RCAF 100th anniversary events will be taking place all week at the Western Development Museum, Tunnels of Moose Jaw, the Moose Jaw Museum and Art Gallery, the Moose Jaw Public Library and the Moose Jaw Cultural Centre. 

Moose Jaw has a storied history with the Royal Canadian Air Force dating back to the 1920s with the creation of the local flying club that was contracted during the Second World War to train student pilots for the RCAF during wartime.  

Fast forward and Moose Jaw is now home to 15 Wing along with the NATO Flying Training in Canada program and the Snowbirds air demonstration team. 

“RCAF is obviously very important across the country, but especially here in Moose Jaw because we’ve had so many people come through and serve Canada through the RCAF,” said Froese. 

Froese said a couple of notable figures that got their wings at 15 Wing Moose Jaw include former commander of the International Space Station Chris Hadfield and astronaut Jeremy Hansen.