North Bay Ready to Celebrate 10th Annual Armed Forces Day

North Bay, ON – May 30, 2022 – The City of North Bay, with support of the Honorary Colonels at 22 Wing/Canadian Forces Base North Bay announced the lineup today for the celebrations planned for Armed Forces Day.

“Armed Forces Day is an opportunity for us to show our appreciation for all of the men and women who are currently serving in the Canadian Armed Forces, as well as those who have served and sacrificed to defend our freedom,” said Mayor Al McDonald. “I would encourage everyone in the community to attend this year’s activities and honour those in uniform serving our country and keeping us safe.”

Armed Forces Day will return this year as an in-person community event on Wednesday, June 22 from 10:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the North Bay Waterfront.

School-aged children from local school boards and the public are invited to arrive at 10 a.m. to listen to the 22 Wing Band, watch demonstrations by the CH-147 Chinook, Canadian Forces Snowbirds and the Canadian Armed Forces SkyHawks Parachute team.  Members of the community will also be able to walk through military static displays. All activities and entertainment will be free to the public. Memorial Drive will be closed from 7 a.m. until 4 p.m.

“2022 marks the 10th year the City of North Bay has hosted Armed Forces Day in person,” explained Honorary Colonel Jake Lacourse. “In addition to celebrating the 10th anniversary of Armed Forces Day, we wanted to recognize the importance of working together.  It takes a community to work together to succeed, to achieve, and to grow.”

It is called Armed Forces Day in North Bay to recognize members of the United States Air Force who, as part of NORAD and in support of the mission of the Canadian Air Defence Sector at 22Wing/Canadian Forces Base North Bay, contribute to the successful bi-national organization and have been part of the North Bay community for 70 years.

North Bay Armed Forces Day 2020 Backgrounder

• 2022 marks the tenth year the City of North Bay has hosted Armed Forces Day in person.

• Theme: Working together and the 10^th anniversary of Armed Forces Day in person. It takes a community to work together to succeed, to achieve, and to grow.

• As part of the day’s activities we are proud to showcase the Canadian Forces Snowbirds and the Canadian Armed Forces Parachute Team, the SkyHawks, Both teams quietly meander throughout the sky both require a high level of skill and courage.

• Members of the community are encouraged to be at the North Bay Waterfront today by 10:30 a.m. wearing red shirts in support of military members.

• Let’s set a world record! Help us create the largest human maple leaf.  Back in 2019 Trenton broke the Guinness World Record for largest human maple leaf during Canada Day festivities with 3 942 people. North Bay, we can break this record!

• Armed Forces Day recognizes the efforts of all military personnel currently serving in the City of North Bay.

• Armed Forces Day provides military members an opportunity to showcase equipment highlighting training and military demonstrations by various units to the City of North Bay and surrounding areas while building closer ties and strengthening support for the military.

• Hosting Armed Forces Day at the waterfront allows military personnel an opportunity to engage with the North Bay community, building closer ties and strengthening support to the military.

• It is called Armed Forces Day in North Bay to recognize members of the United States Air Force who, as part of NORAD and in support of the mission of the Canadian Air Defence Sector at 22 Wing/Canadian Forces Base North Bay contribute to the successful bi-national organization and have been part of the North Bay community for 70 years.

      22 Wing /CFB North Bay

• This year marks a special occasion for 22 Wing/CFB North Bay as we proudly celebrate the 10^th Anniversary of Armed Forces Day held in person. This recognizes the support from the North Bay and surrounding communities of the selfless dedication of thousands of men and women who serve to protect Canada and the United States 24/7 through the longest-standing partnership between two global nations.

• Working together. It is a concept that members of 22 Wing embrace and live by each day.  Approximately 500 Regular Force, Reserve Force, Department of National Defence Civilian Employees, contractors and United States Air Force members work together to ensure the North American Aerospace Defense Command mission is conducted successfully 24/7. Air Defence Sector providing surveillance, identification, control and warning for the aerospace defence of 10 million square kilometres of Canadian skies, all from the Sergeant David L. Pitcher Building.  Working together does not stop there.  In truth, the controllers and operators could not function without the support trades that make up the main body at 22 Wing.  Computer technicians, administration clerks, pay clerks, kitchen staff, medical staff, the fitness team at the 22 Wing Fitness & Wellness Centre, and the North Bay Military Family Resource Centre support the controllers and operators and their families to ensure that the NORAD mission does not fail.  And it is at a time of security pressures to the free-world that the NORAD mission MUST NOT fail.

• For more than 40 years, the Soviet threat was the focal point for NORAD and the rest of the world. Today, the threat is asymmetrical. After the Cold War ended, NORAD still has an important mission: to detect, deter and defend North American aerospace against attack from without and within.

• 22 Wing, otherwise known as the Canadian Air Defence Sector (CADS), has gone through significant modernization recognizing a need to evolve in response to new and changing threats and emerging technologies.

• NORAD contributes expertise to support other agencies that protect our nations against criminal activities while maintaining its traditional aerospace warning and defence role. The 9/11 attacks only increased the need for NORAD and, in fact, expanded its role in protection against attack from within.

• 22 Wing is unique because it is the only standing combined military formation in Canada. The United States Air Force personnel have served side-by-side with the Canadian Armed Forces personnel for 70 years. Their families are part of the North Bay community.

• The role of 22 Wing is to generate and support professionals that conduct air surveillance and control over Canadian airspace and defend Canadians and Americans from air threats. We are increasing our effectiveness and enhancing the quality of life of our military families.