Direct flights from Canadian Forces Base Comox

General Information About Canadian Forces Base Comox

Canadian Forces Base Comox is situated on a small peninsula on Vancouver Island, jutting into the Strait of Georgia. Constructed during World War II by the Royal Air Force to guard against Japanese threats to Canada's safety, later handed over to the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), Comox has undergone various modifications over its long history.

West Coast Aerodrome (WCMA) is one of the largest military aerodromes on the West Coast and shares its airport with scheduled airlines and civilian aircraft. Northwest Airlines' Boeing 747 made an emergency landing here after experiencing engine fire on one of its engines in 1979, leading to emergency repairs to be performed before resuming service again at this base.

Museum and Heritage Area

The 19 Wing Comox Aviation Museum can be found just beside its military base and provides visitors with an insight into the history of aviation in coastal British Columbia and across Canada. Showcasing both wartime and peacetime aircraft, this museum expresses local pride in flying.

Museum exhibits are organized into galleries, displays and a library. It is part of the Royal Canadian Air Force Museum Enterprise which consists of 11 museums across Canada.

Canadian Forces Base Comox was home to an early warning station located on the Pinetree Line that served to detect Soviet bombers flying over the Arctic region during the 1950s. These three early warning stations used radar and optical detection technologies, respectively, in order to monitor these threats and protect Canadian interests from Soviet air power intrusion.