A long-range patrol aircraft, the CP-140 Aurora was first brought into service in 1980 to replace the CP-107 Argus for maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare (ASW). Its long endurance and 7,400 km range made it ideal for a variety of missions. Throughout its time in service, Auroras have been used for surveillance of Canada’s coastal waters, anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue missions, disaster relief missions, and has supported government agencies in combating illegal fishing, illegal immigration, pollution, and drug trafficking.

Aurora 140102 was accepted into service on August 20, 1980. It served with 407 (Maritime Patrol) Squadron at CFB Comox, BC and with 405 (Maritime Patrol) Squadron at CFB Greenwood, NS. Throughout its service as a long-range patrol aircraft, Aurora 102 was used for surveillance of Canada’s coastal waters, as well as various operations and exercises. In May 2006, Aurora 102 participated in Exercise Joint Caribbean Lion, an international exercise including personnel, aircraft, and ships from Canada, the United States, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France held in Curaçao and Guadeloupe. In May 2007 it participated in Exercise Neptune Warrior 071, an international live firing training exercise involving 14 countries and a combination of aircraft and naval ships. In 2017 Aurora 140102 was taken out of service and stored at CFB Greenwood, NS until 2018, when is was transported to the NAFMC and re-assembled for display.