Many Canadian Forces Bases and Units have a gate guardian – a retired piece of military equipment that has been selected as it represents the role of the base. In the case of 19 Wing/CFB Comox, it is a McDonnell CF-101 Voodoo.
The CF-101 was an all-weather interceptor aircraft operated by the Royal Canadian Air Force and Canadian Forces between 1961 and 1984. The Voodoo’s primary armament was the AIR-2A Genie unguided air-to-air rockets, there was significant political controversy in Canada about their adoption due to the nuclear warhead on the missile. The CF-101 Canada’s primary means of air defence, notably during the Cuban Missile Crisis where they operated from Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) facilities at Canadian airbases, including 19 Wing/CFB Comox.
This aircraft is painted in special colours to honour 409 Nighthawk Squadron, which was based at CFB Comox from 1954 to 1984.