After a nine-year hiatus, thousands of visitors gathered at 19 Wing Comox for the 2024 Airshow as Canada celebrates the 100th anniversary of its Royal Canadian Air Force.
Starting Saturday morning (May 18) at 9 a.m., spectators of all ages strolled down one of the airbase’s tarmacs to observe and visit a plethora of static aircraft from the RCAF, RCMP, U.S. military and more.
A member of the CAF stands in front of a KC-135 Stratotanker from the U.S. Air Force. (Olivier Laurin / Comox Valley Record)
Shortly before 11 a.m., people made their way to the site’s boundary to witness the first flight of the day: a CF-18 demonstration.
Following the fighter jet’s show of prowess, Search & Rescue (SAR) crews displayed various operations, including rappelling a team member from a Cormorant helicopter and parachuting SAR technicians from a Hercules aircraft.
Visitors could explore a wide array of different aircraft, including this Cormorant helicopter used by the Search & Rescue technicians. (Olivier Laurin / Comox Valley Record)
At 2:50 p.m., the iconic Snowbirds took flight. Despite the rain, the team of seven planes entertained a cheerful crowd with a wide range of aerobatic maneuvers.
A Hercules aircraft fuels a CF-18 midflight at the 2024 Comox Airshow on May 18. (Olivier Laurin / Comox Valley Record)
The CF Snowbirds returned to the Comox Valley for its first airshow of the 2024 season on May 18. (Olivier Laurin / Comox Valley Record)
A Hercules aircraft is seen flying over the 19Wing Comox airbase during the 2024 Comox Airshow. Photo courtesy of Kirk Friedlich
A Cormorant helicopter is seen flying over the 19Wing Comox airbase during the 2024 Comox Airshow. Photo courtesy of Kirk Friedlich
A member of the Search & Rescue team jumped seconds earlier from a Hercules aircraft at the 2024 Comox Airshow on May 18. Photo courtesy of Kirk Friedlich
Visitors could explore a wide array of different aircraft, including the C17, a large military transport airplane.(Olivier Laurin / Comox Valley Record)
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