The Royal Canadian Air Force Academy (RCAF A) is a Canadian Forces training establishment for non-commissioned members who serve with units of the Royal Canadian Air Force. Based at CFB Borden in central Ontario, it is a unit of fhe RCAF's 16 Wing.[1] It also reports to the 2 Canadian Air Division, which is itself dedicated to the training of RCAF personnel.[2] The RCAF A has 5 training Flights in Borden as well as 1 Flight in a detachment within Camp Aldershot, Nova Scotia.
The RCAF A consists of more than 1,800 students who led by an administrative team consisting of approximately 50 regular force, reserve force, and civilian personnel. The school itself is headed by Lieutenant-Colonel Tan Nguyen and Chief Warrant Officer Fred Nolin.[3]
In the early 1990s, the Canadian Forces Air Command became interested in establishing educational facilities to enhance its effectiveness in commissioning officers. As a result, three Junior Leadership schools based in Summerside, Prince Edward Island and Penhold, Alberta were closed and reassigned to the Air Command Professional Development and Training Centre (ACPDTC) in Borden, Ontario. The RCAF Academy began its operations in renovated post-World War II barracks. In addition, the Air Force Indoctrination School Detachment in St-Jean, Quebec, as well as the Canadian Forces School of Air Reserve Training in Penhold also saw their cadets move to Borden. The ACPDTC was officially opened in 1994, and was renamed the Air Command Academy in October 2004.[4]
The motto of the RCAF A is "Discimus Ducere" (Learn to Lead).
In 1994, the ACPDTC adopted the crest of the former Junior Leader School (JLS) Penhold. It was retained by the unit when it was renamed to the RCAF Academy in 2004. The eagle on a blue field is significant of the Junior Leader School's affiliation with RCAF. The rising sun represents the new horizons and goals attainable by the student, which lead to a brighter future.