Air Force Base - 19 Wing Comox

British Columbia's only military airbase is located next to the Town of Comox. Canadian Forces Base 19 Wing Comox was opened as a Royal Air force Base in 1942 and was officially constituted as a Royal Canadian Air Force aerodrome on May 1, 1943. The first squadron of Canadian-operated Dakotas arrived in 1944.

In 1952 the 407 Squadron arrived and in 1954 the 409 All Weather Fighter Interceptor Squadron was reactivated with T-33 Silver Star and CF-100 Canuck aircraft. By 1964, the runway was extended to 10,000 feet and the 121 Composite Unit moved to Comox with the Albatross aircraft to conduct search and rescue operations. On April 1, 1993 the base was designated as 19 Wing, which places all personnel and resources under the command of the Wing Commander.

407 Maritime Patrol Squadron
The largest squadron on base, or in the Canadian Forces, 407 is responsible for the surveillance of Canada's coastal waters. Using five CP-140 Aurora airplanes, the pilots and crews, in addition to conducting searches for submarines which was their more traditional role, spend long hours over the ocean looking for illegal fishing, drugs and pollution.

442 Transport and Rescue Squadron
This Squadron with six CC-115 Buffalo aircraft and five CH-149 Cormorant helicopters, pursues search and rescue operations by providing resources to the Rescue Coordination Centre in the Victoria Search and Rescue Region.

A significant part of our Valley community
The Base forms an integral part of the Comox Valley with its personnel participating in many community events and social, welfare, or athletic organizations. The greatest impact from the base, however, is on the local economy. The base has approximately 1,000 regular force personnel with 120 in reserves and 250 civilian personnel.

CFB Comox is the largest single employer in the Comox Valley. Its total payroll is approximately $65 million/year, with an operating budget of almost $100 million including wages. Over $10 million is spent annually on goods and services of a routine nature. Over 1,300 families live off base, contributing a significant amount to the local tax base.  The Wing itself contributes $1.4 million in property taxes annually.  Other direct employment created by the Wing includes Commissionaires, concessionaires and contracted professionals.

(Information taken directly from the Canadian Forces Base 19 Wing Comox website 2008)

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