Last Saturday night's RCAF Gala at Southport saw Premier Brian Pallister attending.

He calls the event important, because it recognizes the work that was done 28 years ago, to bring flight training here.

"We want to keep it here," he says, "It's a celebration of community, of comradeship, of rising to challenges. That's what the people of this area do real well. It's also a celebration of NORAD and our defence personnel, and the great work they do. It's a wonderful thing to celebrate."

Portage la Prairie MLA Ian Wishart was there, too, and thinks the event's been so successful over the years for a couple of reasons.

"It's a Rotary fundraiser," he says, "And, of course, the community's very proud of its Rotary Club, and it gives back in a major way. But it's a chance for the community to come out and recognize the RCAF, and the value that they have in the Portage community, and the service that they provide us, and every other Canadian."