Red Deer's 703 (Fred Sutherland) Wing has had a big year.
In April, 703 Wing of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Association was awarded 2024 Wing of the Year at the Alberta Group's annual general meeting at Cold Lake. Al Low, Wing Chairman since 2007, accepted the award.
The Alberta Group is composed of 784 Wing Cold Lake, 700 Wing Edmonton, 783 Wing Calgary and 702 Wing Lethbridge.
On June 14, 703 Wing members gathered at Red Deer's ABC Country Restaurant to celebrate the wing's 75th anniversary.
The RCAF Association was founded in 1948 to commemorate the achievements of the men and women who have served as members of Canada's Air Force since its inception. Its purpose was to advocate for a proficient and well-equipped air force and to support the Royal Canadian Air Cadet program.
703 (Central Alberta) Wing was formed in July 1950. In April 2019, the Wing received approval to change its official name to 703 (Fred Sutherland) Wing in honour of Fred Sutherland, of Rocky Mountain House.
Sutherland, a member of the Wing, was the last Canadian Dam Buster. He passed away on January 21, 2019, at the age of 95.
The famous Dam Buster Raid was carried out on May 16-17, 1943 by 617 Squadron Royal Air Force (RAF) Bomber Command. Eight of the 19 aircraft were lost, with 53 aircrew losing their lives and three captured.
703 Wing was first awarded Wing of the Year in 1978.
Low first joined the RCAF Association at 4 Wing Cold Lake AB in 1991. When he retired from the RCAF, he signed up with the Reserves and when he moved to Red Deer in 2001, he was selected to be the Commanding Officer of 24 Squadron Royal Canadian Air Cadets until 2004.
The Wing continues to support the Air Cadets and the Royal Canadian Legion on various occasions such as Remembrance Day and delivering Poppies to various businesses. Members also visit senior's homes and hospitals and participate in Legion Honour Guards at funerals of Veterans.
