A historic year for Bagotville

The 2017 edition of the Bagotville International Air Show ( BIAS) is a special event, marking the 75th anniversary of the establishment of a military base in Bagotville.

In 1942, in the midst of the Second World War, it was decided to open a Royal Canadian Air Force ( RCAF) station in Bagotville. The primary mission of the base was to protect industrial facilities in the region and more specifically the Arvida smelter, which then produced nearly 80% of all aluminum in North America, or 20% of the world's production. The hydroelectric power plants that allowed this production were also possible targets during the war and needed protection. It was at this time that what was to become CFB Bagotville chose the motto "Defend the Saguenay", which today still proudly adorns the emblem of the base. In 1967, a civilian terminal was constructed along the runway at CFB Bagotville to accommodate the air carriers that connected the area to the rest of the world. "The stars have aligned themselves this year to make the BIAS a big party. We celebrate both the 75th anniversary of the base, the 150th anniversary of Canadian Confederation and the 50th anniversary of the civilian terminal in Bagotville. I believe it will be a great edition for the air show in Bagotville, "said the commander of CFB Bagotville and president of the BIAS 2017, Colonel Darcy Molstad following the last BIAS press conference last May.