PATHWAY TO THE STARS

This beautifully illustrated book shares the rich history of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) on its one hundredth anniversary. Produced in partnership with the RCAF Foundation, Pathway to the Stars tells the story of the people, the technologies, and the events that shaped the RCAF from 1924 to 2024.

Presenting one hundred stories to align with the one hundred years of the RCAF, the book explores the many ways in which the RCAF contributed to advances in aviation over the past century, from the invention of the G-suit to the development of the first helicopter landing system on a naval ship to the design of the first flight-safety organization for investigating crashes. It illuminates how the history of the RCAF has been shaped by global events, shedding light on the two world wars, the Cold War, the Korean War, and the formation of NATO. It examines peacekeeping in the 1980s, the First Gulf War, missions within Canada, and the Afghanistan War, and details the past decade as well as the future of the RCAF.

Whether they involved fighting in the air in a Hurricane during the Battle of Britain, delivering disaster relief around the globe, or leading search-and-rescue operations in Canada’s arctic, the missions required of the RCAF have challenged it to create aircraft, machines, and other technologies to persevere and succeed. Pathway to the Stars brings to light an inspirational story about Canada and its place in the world over the past century as we look forward to the next generation of the RCAF.

Proceeds from this book support the ongoing programs of the RCAF Foundation.

Authors:
Michael Hood joined the Canadian Forces in 1985 and trained as a Navigator on the CC-130 Hercules in the Tactical Airlift Role. He is a retired Lieutenant-General and the former Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force, now resident in Kelowna, BC.  He is also a proud co-founder of the RCAF Foundation, to which this book’s proceeds are dedicated.

Tom Jenkins has been affiliated with the Royal Canadian Air Force for more than fifty years. He began his career with the RCAF as a royal Canadian air cadet at CFB Trenton in 1972. He became a squadron warrant officer with the Air Cadets at CFRB Hamilton and later joined the reserves, first as a corporal and then as an officer; he received his commission in 1977 and served at CFB Cold Lake. He has been the honorary colonel of 409 Squadron at CFB Cold Lake and the honorary colonel of the Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada (RHFC) in Cambridge, Ontario. He has chaired a report on defence procurement for the Canadian government and is currently a member of the RCAF Commanders Advisory Council.

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