Tribute to the Canadian Airmen on the Occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the 1st Wing of the ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE on the Marville Airbase (France)

On 3 September 2005, an international Airshow on the former Canadian NATO airbase of Marville (France) will be the highlight of a unique historical event celebrating the arrival of the first Canadian airmen on this airfield in 1955.

The 50th Anniversary cannot be repeated for many of the players in this chapter of history are in their seventies or eighties, including the French who lived and worked alongside them. Whoever they are, “Sabre”, “Canuck” or “Starfighter “, many former military personnel from Canada will walk ‘Down Memory Lane’ and honour this event with their presence.

MARVILLE, the townships of Longuyon in France, Florenville and Virton in Belgium, together with the cross-border region will have an unforgettable experience with the participation of:

• His Excellency, the Ambassador of Canada in France, who will be the guest of honour of the Ceremonies alongside the Commanding General of the Northern French Air Region, representing the Defense Minister,
  
• 170 Canadians, former military personnel on the Marville airbase and their families, who have travelled across the Atlantic especially to re-visit the base and the cross-border region of Lorraine and Gaume. General HUDDLESTON, a former CF-104 “Starfighter” pilot, will lead the way,
  
• The French Air Force with the PATROUILLE DE FRANCE, the French Aerobatic Team, will open the Airshow with an exceptional fly-past, followed by the Mirage 2000 C, the EVAA Aerobatic Team and the Patrouille Cartouche Doré,
  
• An F-16 and a FOUGA MAGISTER of the Belgian Air Force,
  
• Warbirds and other aircraft which flew in Marville will remind us of the fifties and the sixties on the NATO airbase, such as the F-86 “Sabre”, CF-100 “Canuck”, T-33 “Silver Star” and CF-104 “Starfighter”.

A rarity in France: before their afternoon display during the Airshow, the F-86 “Sabre” and the T-33 “Silver Star” will make a fly-past over the Cairn Memorial Service at the Saint-Hilaire Cemetery as a salute to the fallen Canadian airmen.

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