Who would have thought that the start of an airfield back in 1943 would have brought so many memories? That little air force base in the Alberta countryside became home for many. It seems like yesterday that crews were standing around hangars and buildings ready for duty, rag-wrench crews with screwdrivers at the ready to launch another flight into the sunset as part of the air force family who made Namao life interesting.
During happier times we remember the moms and dads, sons and daughters of the community; the concerts at Guthrie school, nights at the swimming pool, the kids’ hockey and the figure skating club; the base theatre for movie night, our pint-size grocery store with matching library. These helped meld the lives around us each day as our families grew. Finally the young people left, spread through our city, province, and country where you will now find them in all areas of life. It has been our legacy, you might say, and one of which we are justly proud.
There was never a dull moment. Our airport had many visitors, a Royal visit during the Commonwealth games, an outdoor mass during the Pope’s Canadian visit. During our tour at Namao many visitors came by. Who could forget the refugees who flew into Canada and whose first look at this country was the tarmac at Namao airport?
How many remember Operation Morning Light? Morning Light, for those who don’t remember, was the recovery of a Russian satellite that came down over the north spreading its radioactive payload over much of the area. Many of us had to put down our rag wrenches and head off to the Northwest Territories to help in the cleanup.
These were the days when our air force family deployed to many corners of the world. Following tradition we served in many UN and NATO roles. Who could forget the resupply trips to Alert in the Canadian Arctic during winter and assisting with many humanitarian flights? Of course there were the search and rescue operations over most of the west.
Many in the community and province remember with us, the thrill of the Air Force days and the big air show. This was a time when we got to show our stuff. When the gates opened, you wouldn’t know it but we were all proud of the role we played and the chance to show off a bit.
In other cases the work was quite serious. After all was said and done, though, the best memories are of the family, our little community with its cast of characters who every day completed tasks as needed.
These, then, are the memories of one person, a view that reflects a snapshot of the life and times at one of Canada’s major air force stations. Rest assured that there are still many of us in the community who remember RCAF Namao. We watched with a large degree of sadness as the final curtain came down with the knowledge that all the air force personnel and their families made this one great place. As the final mighty Hercules and trusty Twin Otter faded off into the sunset and of course the great Chinook helicopter that served us well, we handed the torch to 408 Squadron to maintain our presence. Rest assured that the legacy of this fine airbase will live on long after the sound of these aircraft are forgotten.
This year during Canada’s National Day of Remembrance in November, please pause a moment and remember these dedicated air force personnel whose ranks are fast depleting and their service at RCAF Station Namao.
R. Goodfellow, St. Albert
Phone 780 569 3291
