•  •  •
In partnership with the
Greater Toronto Airports Authority, Peel Regional Police & Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Tours & Events

Back to Tours & Events main page

CFB Borden Tour

On Monday August 9th, the YYZ Airport Watch was privileged to visit and receive a tour of CFB Borden. Our group assembled at the Air Annex Museum located at CFB Borden. Many people don't realize that CFB Borden is the birthplace of the Canadian Air Force going back to 1917 when it was known as the Royal Flying Corps. Our group was welcomed by Lt Col Kowal, the commanding officer of 16 Wing. Lt. Col Kowal spoke briefly on the present Camp Borden and then passed the floor over to Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Marion who was to be our tour guide for the day. MWO Marion delivered a very interesting presentation on the history of CFB Borden since its inception in 1917 right up to the present day.

Our members had the opportunity to ask questions prior to visiting the museum and photograph the aircraft on display inside. There are also five aircraft on display outside the museum including a CF-100 that has been painstakingly restored by a dedicated group at Borden in recent years.

After a lunch break at Bleachers we met up again with MWO Marion for the highlight of our visit, an open house at CFSATE (Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Technology and Engineering). Our members were allowed to roam at will, take photographs, make notes and ask questions. Both hangars of CFSATE were open to the group as was the ramp area. Fortunately for us the school was on shut down and there were no students present which allowed for a very thorough inspection of the aircraft on site.

After CFSATE our group was welcomed to the 400THS (Tactical Helicopter Squadron) which is another unit on the base and who operate 7 CH-146 Griffon helicopters 6 of which were present for our members to photograph.

Once our tour of the 400THS was finished we said goodbye to our host and thanked him for an excellent day out at CFB Borden. Below are some photos submitted by Airport Watch member and tour participant Ken Keen that capture some of the sights from our tour of CFB Borden.
      

Back to Tours & Events main page