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Story and photography by Denise Decker
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45 Years of Abbotsford Airshow and Canada’s First C-17 Abbotsford, in beautiful British Columbia, held their first airshow on Saturday, August 11, 1962. Forty-five years later, on Saturday, August 11, 2007, the Abbotsford Airshow celebrated their 45th anniversary. The day started with a special visitor…Canada One, the first CC-177 (C-17) for the Canadian Armed Forces. The aircraft flew in from Boeing in Long Beach, CA, making Abbotsford its first stop on Canadian soil. A special ceremony opened the show that day, with Chairman Jim Barrett welcoming the Minister of National Defence, Gordon O’Connor; the Minister of International Cooperation, Josee Verner; Chief of the Air Staff, Lt-Gen Angus Watt; and six “everyday heroes”, members of the Canadian Forces. The CC-177 is the first strategic aircraft for Canada, and will be used by the military, emergency response situations, and for humanitarian efforts, while reducing the dependence on allies and contractors in these situations. The crowd got to look at their newest acquisition following the ceremony as the aircraft took to the skies. After several low passes it then departed for its new home at 8 Wing / CFB Trenton, ON. This year’s show also marked the final appearance of the F-117 Stealth Fighter, which is slated to retire in 2008. |
