General Information

British Columbia’s only military air base is located on the east coast of Vancouver Island in the beautiful Comox Valley. Vancouver Island itself is 448 kilometers long by 128 kilometers wide.

19 Wing Vision
To be the best Wing in the Air Force - one team focused on achieving the mission, serving Canada with commitment, motivation and pride.

19 Wing Mission
To be operationally ready to conduct surface, subsurface, and aerospace surveillance, search and rescue, transport, combat support, and contingency operations, as well as to provide core training in support of CF missions.

19 Wing Badge High resolution version

19 Wing Badge
The 19 Wing badge depicts the sharp shinned Hawk resting on a Dogwood tree branch. The Dogwood is the provincial flower of British Columbia.

Wing Commander
Colonel J.K. Ambler

Getting There
The Comox Valley is accessible by land, sea or air. Regular ferry service links the B.C. Mainland and Washington State to Vancouver Island. Pacific Coastal Airlines, Air Canada (Air BC) and West Jet fly directly from major air hubs on the mainland to the Comox Valley Terminal located at 19 Wing's airfield.

Weather
The weather is probably one of the main reasons people enjoy their stay in Comox. Where else can you ski and play a round of golf on the same day without leaving the area? Mean temperatures are above the freezing mark in winter while summer highs generally average in the low twenties C.

Location of 19 Wing
19 Wing is located on the east coast of Vancouver Island in the Comox Valley. Comox is approximately 148 kilometers from Vancouver (via BC Ferries) and 220 kilometers from Victoria.

Population of 19 Wing
Approx 1,000 Regular force, 120 Reserves, 250 civilians (full and part-time)

Economic Impact
CFB Comox is the largest single employer in the Comox Valley, an area of approximately 71,000 people. 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. Recent construction includes the construction of a new fixed-wing hangar.  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.

Additions to the Wing
Recent additions to 19 Wing include a state-of-the-art control tower, new fitness and community centre, new earthquake-resistant hangar for the Cormorant helicopters, an armaments storage facility, new quarters for single members and an Air Cadet glider hangar.