Our strength is our people…literally

Our strength is our people…literally

March 2, 2026 - Defence Stories

Estimated read time - 1:56

Emily Lindahl, Directorate Air and Space Public Affairs

Ask the leadership of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) what the organization's greatest strength is, and they will likely tell you it is the members of the RCAF themselves. Their dedication to service, their skills and capabilities, and their commitment to family is second to none.

Occasionally someone stands out from the crowd, their personal strength pushing them to the forefront. That is definitely the case of Major Jacinda Vlaar. An Air Combat Systems Officer, Maj Vlaar is a project officer within the Directorate of Air Requirements, assigned to the Canadian Multi-Mission Aircraft project - the CP8A Poseidon.

Having a career in the RCAF was important to her - both of her parents were in the RCAF, while her sister was in the Navy Reserves. She joined straight out of high school into the Regular Officer Training Program, attending the University of Toronto where she was recruited to the swimming program.

Maj Vlaar credits her background in sports for pushing her to the top of her game. In 2011, she joined the Conseil International du Sport Militaire (CISM) Swimming and Lifesaving Team which led to "the opportunity to travel to some amazing places around the world with an amazing group of people," she shared. Currently Maj Vlaar is actively involved with the CISM Swim Team, the Base Volleyball Team, the Comox Valley Soccer Team, as well as other sports within the Comox Valley Sports and Social Club (Beach Volleyball, Basketball, and Ultimate Frisbee). In 2025, she won CFB Comox Athlete of the Year in recognition of her passion for sports and commitment to the volleyball team, which won Nationals despite not having a team the previous year.

Recently, Maj Vlaar achieved Platinum status on her 2026 FORCE test while accomplishing something more impressive, a perfect score of 400, placing her among the CAF's most elite performers. This is her third perfect score, adding to those she obtained in 2025 and 2019. She is not alone in her Platinum status, her husband Master Corporal Edrian Vlaar also achieved Platinum status in his most recent FORCE test. He too comes from a family of service, with both of his parents, two twin brothers, and a sister-in-law all previous or serving members of the RCAF.

"If I'm being honest," says Maj Vlaar. "The FORCE test is not something I practice often, rather it's the lifestyle and dedication to fitness that has allowed me to excel at it. I work hard to stay fit, and my husband helps me attain my goals, either by pushing me or by watching our two young boys while I am involved in sports. We always tell each other we are a great team and I'm so happy that we are both able to say we achieved Platinum. It's not something a lot of people can say they've achieved!"