UN Peacekeeping

Most people think of peacekeeping as soldiers wearing blue berets or helmets. However, whether through direct support or the provision of personnel, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) has a long tradition of supporting dozens of peacekeeping missions of the United Nations (UN) and other international organizations. Canada’s RCAF peacekeeping efforts have been broad, beyond just solely support of the UN.

RCAF efforts in peacekeeping fall into three basic categories: airlift and resupply, provision of flying units, and individual ground-based personnel.

Perhaps one of the RCAF’s darkest moments was the tragic loss of nine Canadian Armed Forces members who died in a missile attack on their United Nations transport plane in the Middle East. The "Buffalo Nine" tragedy happened on 9 August 1974. In recognition of their sacrifices, Buffalo Park and its memorials were established in the southwest of Calgary.



To be remembered is not just those who paid with their lives, but those who bore life altering physical injuries and those carrying the lasting pain of ‘invisible injuries’.