Matthew 26:52 – Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.

The Royal Canadian Air Force has served in the Second World War, the Korean War, the Persian Gulf War, as well as multiple UN Peacekeeping missions and NATO operations. During the Second World War, the Canadian Air Force was one of the main participants in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, and participated in operations over Britain, Europe, North Atlantic, North Africa, South Asia, and in homeland defense. In 1950, the RCAF became involved with the transportation of troops and supplies in the Korean War; however, it did not contribute to RCAF operational units.

The RCAF consisted of one full-time, full-time air force element, one non-permanent active air force (NPAAF), intended to be trained a few weeks per year, and one reserve air force, which was called up during national emergencies. From these humble beginnings, the RCAF would quickly expand to become the worlds fourth largest air force, reaching its peak strength of 215,000 (including 17,000 women) personnel, and operating 80 operational squadrons. By the end of World War I, the Canadian government had the fourth largest air force in the world.

Ecclesiastes 3:8 – A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

In 1938, the chief of air staff became directly accountable to the minister of national defence, thereby making the Air Force a distinct service, equivalent in stature to the Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Navy. Royal Canadian Navy air assets were combined with Canadian Air Force Canadianir CP-107 Argus long-range patrol aircraft, in Maritime Command. The Commander, Canadian Division 1 Air, based at Winnipeg, is responsible for the operational command and control of the activities of Royal Canadian Air Force across Canada and around the world.

When Canada declared war against Germany on 10 September 1939, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) consisted of eight regular and twelve support squadrons, totaling about 4,000 men in all ranks. The RCAF launched a short-lived Royal Canadian Naval Air Service (RCNAS) and an English-based Canadian Aviation Service, both casualties of rapid military force demobilization following World War I.

Matthew 5:9 – Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

A trickle of Canadian airmen were recruited either directly, or transferred from Canadian Expeditionary Force service, to either Englands Royal Flying Corps (RFC) or the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). Canadian airmen initially became members of the British Royal Air Force (RAF), and about 13,000 ultimately became part of this service. In fact, Canadian fighter pilots were among the top-ranking ace fighters in the first world war.

During the conflict, 131,553 aircrews (pilots, navigators, bombers, wireless operators, and flight engineers) were trained by BCATP, about one-third the total of the RAFs primary combat commands. Of 131, 72,835 were Canadian, meaning that Canadians made up slightly less than one-quarter of the Royal Air Forces aircrew total of their major combat commands.

Matthew 10:34 – Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

Its aircrews would go on to make their mark on the Canadian governments services and operations throughout the world, from Korea, Cold War Europe, Afghanistan, and now U.N. operations in Mali. It played a critical role in the Second World War, became the fourth largest Allied air force, and reached its Golden Age by the late 1950s, when it had scores of operational squadrons at the forefront of the Cold War.

Formed in Kenley, Surrey, Surrey, UK, 25 November 1942; dissolved 15 July 1945, with RCAF squadrons transferred to the Second Tactical Air Force. Formed in Halifax, Nova Scotia, 22 July 1942 for administration and management of operations training units within RCAFs Eastern Air Command; disbanded on 14 July 1945. Formed as the Toronto Technical Training Wing, RCAF (Reserve) 1 April 1951; redesignated No.

John 18:36 – Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.

Formed in Linton-on-Ouse, Yorkshire, England, on 25 October 1942, moved on 6 December to its permanent home quarters in Allerton Park, east of Knaresborough; declared operational at 0001 hours on 1 January 1940; transferred to the RCAFs Eastern Air Command on 14 July 1945 for realignment and training to serve in the Pacific as a part of RAFTiger Force; dissolved on 1 September 1945. Formed at Linton-on-Ouse, Yorkshire, England on 25 October 1942 1942 and moved to permanent quarters at Allerton Park, east of Knaresborough, on 6 December ; declared operational at 0001 hours on 1 January 1940 ; transferred to RCAF s Eastern Air Command on 14 July 1945 to reorganize and train for service in the Pacific as part of RAF Tiger Force ; disbanded on 1 September 1945. The establishment was transferred to the Eastern Air Command, part of RAF Tiger Force. Formed in the headquarters of the RCAF overseas, London, England, 17 September 1945, for transporting passengers, wounded, cargo, and mail to the Canadian Occupation Forces in Germany; moved to Odiham, Hampshire, on 1 October 1950; disbanded 30 June 1946.

Romans 13:4 – For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.

Since its establishment in 1924, the RCAF has served Canadians during peacetime and in war. With the war over, the CAF only lasted as an overseas fighting force for a brief period, disbanding in 1920.

Prime Minister Mackenzie King might have tried to limit the number of Canadians killed in the conflict, but he had no way of knowing how the wartime air operations would evolve. Prime Minister Mackenzie Kings attempts to preserve Canadian lives, diverting resources away from the larger armies fighting in Europe, and choosing instead to sustain the main air campaign, did not accomplish his goal.

Matthew 10:28 – And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

The Latin motto for Air Command–Sic itur ad astra–which had been the motto for the Canadian Air Force when it was first formed in the aftermath of the first world war (before becoming the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1924) was retained.

At the same time, Pinetree line, mid-Canada line, and DEW line radar stations, mostly operated by Canadian Air Force, were built throughout Canada due to a growing Soviet nuclear threat.