The Royal Canadian Air Force is responsible for all aircraft operations of the Canadian Forces, enforcing the security of Canada's airspace and providing aircraft to support the missions of the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Army. The RCAF is a partner with the United States Air Force in protecting continental airspace under the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). The RCAF also provides all primary air resources to and is responsible for the National Search and Rescue Program.

The Royal Canadian Air Force supports the Government of Canada in fulfilling the Canadian Armed Forces’ three key defence roles: defending Canada by delivering excellence at home, defending North America by being a strong, reliable and credible defence partner with the United States in the defence of the continent, and contributing to international peace and security by projecting leadership abroad.

The Royal Canadian Air Force flies a large inventory of aircraft, many of which are new or completely modernized. These range from huge transport aircraft to helicopters to fighters to patrol aircraft and more. They are used to carry out a multitude of roles at home and abroad, in peace and in conflict, all in support of the RCAF’s mission of providing relevant, responsive and effective air power to meet the defence challenges of today and into the future.

The Royal Canadian Air Force is responsible for all aircraft operations of the Canadian Forces, enforcing the security of Canada's airspace and providing aircraft to support the missions of the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Army. The RCAF is a partner with the United States Air Force in protecting continental airspace under the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). The RCAF also provides all primary air resources to and is responsible for the National Search and Rescue Program.