A re-dedication ceremony at the site of the CF-5 jet at Kamloops Airport is being held next Tuesday, a few months after the jet was moved to the traffic roundabout, giving it a more prominent spot.

Airport Managing Director Ed Ratuski says there will a plaque installed commemorating John “Moose” Fulton, a Kamloops resident who was the first commander of the 419 Squadron, after whom the airport is named.

“We worked closely with the folks with 419 Squadron to have the aircraft refurbished and get the proper ‘Moose’ decal on it, which is a significant component of this dedication so what we wanted to do was formerly rededicate that aircraft to the 419 Squadron,” said Ratuski.

He notes the re-dedication is a way to reaffirm the commitment between the city and the 419 Squadron, nothing that Squadron members have Freedom of the City of Kamloops.

“The 419 Squadron was disbanded and re-initiated and disbanded again over the years, but they’ve always maintained that close relationship with the city of Kamloops,” added Ratuski. “We always welcome them back when they are in the city.”

Ratuski says there will be a walking path to the site of the aircraft that will give people access to a point of interest when they are waiting for a flight at the airport, or have some time to kill waiting to pick someone up.

“It’ll show them a good part of history of the airport that they can reflect on,” Ratuski said.

The CF-5 has been at Kamloops Airport since 1995, and the re-dedication ceremony comes as part of the 80th anniversary celebrations of the airport.

(Photo via Kamloops Airport)