Canadian Forces Air Command

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Canadian Forces Air Command
History
Royal Canadian Air Force
Military History of Canada
Aircraft
CF-18 Hornet
CC-115 Buffalo
CH-124 Sea King
CC-130 Hercules
CP-140 Aurora
CH-146 Griffon
CH-148 Cyclone
CH-149 Cormorant
CC-150 Polaris
List of aircraft of the Canadian Air Force
Bases
List of Canadian Air Force bases
CF-18 off the coast Hawaii
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CF-18 off the coast Hawaii
CH-124 Sea King
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CH-124 Sea King
CH-149 Cormorant
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CH-149 Cormorant
CC-115 Buffalo
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CC-115 Buffalo

Canadian Forces Air Command (AIRCOM) is the air force element of the Canadian Forces. AIRCOM is the descendant of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), which was Canada's air force from its foundation in 1924 until February 1, 1968. Prior to 1924, the Royal Air Force provided air defence for Canada. After 1968, the RCAF was merged with the Army and the Royal Canadian Navy to form the Canadian Armed Forces.

Contents

[edit] Mission

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

[edit] History

For history before 1968, see Royal Canadian Air Force

The Air Force Roundel is based on that of the British Royal Air Force, with the central circle replaced by a maple leaf
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The Air Force Roundel is based on that of the British Royal Air Force, with the central circle replaced by a maple leaf

Following unification on February 1, 1968, aircraft and bases of the RCAF and the Royal Canadian Navy (the Royal Canadian Naval Aviation Service), were scattered across several different commands of the newly unified forces.

Air Defence Command consisted primarily of former RCAF CF-101 Voodoo fighter-interceptor aircraft, as well as the radar networks of DEW Line, Mid-Canada Line and Pinetree Line early warning stations. Air Transport Command was responsible for strategic airlift and refueling aircraft, namely the CC-137 Husky, with the primary role being to transport ground troops from Mobile Command to and from distant conflict zones in Europe. Mobile Command itself was composed of former Canadian Army ground forces, as well as the army's tactical helicopters (CH-135 Twin Huey, CH-136 Kiowa, CH-147 Chinook, CH-113A Voyageur) and the RCAF's tactical and ground attack aircraft (CF-104 Starfighter). Maritime Command was transferred responsibility for the newly-formed Maritime Air Group, which operated aircraft in support of former RCN vessels, including CH-124 Sea King, CP-107 Argus, and the CP-121 Tracker, some of which operated from HMCS Bonaventure until that vessel's retirement in the early 1970s. Pilot and aircrew training were taken over by Training Command, which was responsible for trades training across all other commands in the armed forces.

On August 9, 1974 a CC-115 Buffalo of No. 116 Transport Unit operating on UN duties was shot down by a Syrian Surface-to-air missile killing all nine CF personnel on board. This represents the single bigget loss of Canadian lives on a UN mission as well as the last Canadian military aircraft to be shot down.

On September 2, 1975, the Canadian Forces saw a reorganization that merged all aircraft across all commands into a newly formed Air Command (AIRCOM). At this time, Air Defence Command and Air Transport Command were eliminated, and Training Command, Maritime Command, and Mobile Command (renamed Force Mobile Command) were realigned to reflect the new structure. AIRCOM was in-effect the modern rebirth of the RCAF as the new command would handle all the aviation requirements of Canada's military.

Duplication saw several base closings through the 1970s-1990s, largely as aircraft changes took place. The acquisition of the CF-18A/B Hornet tactical fighter bomber saw CF-104 Starfighter and CF-101 Voodoo fighter aircraft retired in the early-mid 1980s, along with a corresponding downturn in several bases which had been exclusively dedicated to these aircraft. The closures of CFB Chatham and CFB Baden Soellingen along with various bombing ranges and the retirement of the CF-116 fighter aircraft and Boeing 707 transport/refuelling aircraft saw AIRCOM retract to its present base and force structure.

AIRCOM also underwent significant changes in the late 1970s when the CP-107 Argus and CP-121 Tracker were replaced with the CP-140 Aurora/CP-140A Arcturus maritime patrol aircraft. The shift of east coast maritime patrol aircraft at the time of the Argus retirement to CFB Greenwood eventually saw CFB Summerside closed in the late 1980s.

After unification, all personnel in the Canadian Forces wore a dark-green uniform with only cap and collar badges (a modified version of the former RCAF crest) as distinguishing marks for pilots and aircrew. This uniform continued under the newly-formed AIRCOM from 1975 until the mid-1980s, when AIRCOM returned to blue-grey uniforms broadly similar to those of the former to the RCAF, though the army-derived ranks adopted upon unification were retained.

In the early 1990s, AIRCOM transport and utility helicopters in support of army operations were cut back and consolidated with the purchase of the CH-146 Griffon, replacing the CH-135 Twin Huey, CH-136 Kiowa, and CH-147 Chinook. The army continues to consider this a loss of capability, particularly with the loss of the heavy lift Chinooks.

Search and rescue squadrons have also seen new aircraft when the CH-149 Cormorant replaced the CH-113 Labrador beginning in 2002. The CC-115 Buffalo short takeoff and landing fixed wing aircraft are also being replaced in the 2000s with a dedicated STOL search and rescue aircraft.

Ship-borne anti-submarine helicopter squadrons are currently operating the 40-year old CH-124 Sea King with the new Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone beginning in 2008. The Cyclone is the proposed maritime version of the Sikorsky H-92 Superhawk.

[edit] AIRCOM Aircraft

[edit] Strike, Attack and Offensive Support Aircraft

[edit] Maritime Patrol/Reconnaissance Aircraft

[edit] Helicopters

[edit] Transport and Air-to-Air Refuelling Aircraft

[edit] Training Aircraft

[edit] Proposed Future Aircraft

Number Builder Model Type Dates
Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II strike fighter
17[1] Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules short haul tactical lift aircraft 2010
4[2] Boeing Integrated Defense Systems C-17 Globemaster III strategic lift aircraft 2006
16[3] Boeing Integrated Defense Systems CH-47 Chinook heavy lift helicopters 2009

Notes:

  • Canada has contributed $440 Million to the JSF program as a Tier III Partner[4] but this does not commit Canada to purchasing the F-35 Lightning II.
  • The replacement for the current C-130E model Hercules is expected to be the C-130J model. Vendors have until August 8, 2006 to submit aircraft they believe meets the operational requirements.

[edit] Wings

5 Wing Goose Bay
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5 Wing Goose Bay
3 Wing Bagotville
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3 Wing Bagotville

There are 13 Air Force Wings across Canada. Wings represent the grouping of various squadrons, both operational and support, under a single tactical commander reporting to the operational commander. Ten Wings also include a Canadian Forces Base along with other operational and support units.

The home of the CH-146 Griffon helicopter, 1 Wing provides airlift support of troops and equipment anywhere in the world. Its six tactical helicopter and training squadrons are spread out all across Canada.
Located in Quebec's Saguenay region, 3 Wing provides general purpose, multi-role, combat capable forces in support of domestic and international roles of Canada's Air Force. It also provides search and rescue missions.
The busiest fighter base in Canada, 4 Wing provides general purpose, multi-role, combat capable forces in support of domestic and international roles of Canada's Air Force. Home of fighter pilot training for the Canadian Forces, 4 Wing attracts Top Gun crews from all over the world to its annual air combat exercise, Maple Flag.
The site of NATO tactical low-level flying training in Canada, 5 Wing located in Labrador, is home to permanent detachments from the German Luftwaffe, the Royal Netherlands Air Force and the Italian Aeronautica Militare and temporary training deployments from the Royal Air Force (United Kingdom). 5 Wing also serves as a NORAD CF-18 Hornet deployed operating base and airfield supporting a mix of aviation activities, military and civilian, in eastern Canada.
The heart of Canada's air mobility forces, from delivering supplies to the high Arctic (CFS Alert) to airlifting troops and equipment worldwide. It is also responsible for search and rescue in central Canada and home to the Canadian Parachute Centre.
The home of 103 Search and Rescue (SAR) Squadron providing full-time SAR services to eastern Canada. SAR crews at 9 Wing Gander fly the CH-149 Cormorant helicopter and are responsible for a massive area, covering the lower Arctic, the Maritimes, Labrador and Newfoundland and all offshore waters in the region.
The centre of naval aviation in Canada, 12 Wing is home of the CH-124 Sea King helicopter, and supports the Canadian Navy with up to nine helicopter air detachments for international and domestic operations.
Located in Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley, 14 Wing's CP-140 Aurora crews conduct sovereignty and surveillance missions over the Atlantic Ocean routinely, while search and rescue capabilities are maintained 365 days of the year.
The site of the NATO Flying Training Program in Canada, 15 Wing is also home to the Snowbirds, the Air Forces' aerobatic team.
The largest training Wing in the Canadian Forces, 16 Wing's schools offer air force technical training and professional development and is the "Birthplace of the Royal Canadian Air Force".
Comprised of three squadrons and six schools, 17 Wing also provides support to the Central Flying School.
Located on Vancouver Island, its Aurora, Buffalo and Cormorant crews are responsible for surveillance and search and rescue over the Pacific Ocean and for training fighter pilots in tactical procedures.
Represents one of Canada's major contributions to the North American Aerospace Defence (NORAD) agreement. From its underground complex at the Sector Air Operations Centre, technicians watch over Canada's airspace 24 hours a day, using state-of-the-art sensors, computer and communications equipment.

Former units includes:

  • 6 Wing - information N/A
  • 10 Wing - information N/A
  • 11 Wing - information N/A
  • 13 Wing - information N/A
  • 18 Wing Edmonton - information N/A
  • 20 Wing - information N/A
  • 21 Wing - information N/A

[edit] Squadrons

The following squadrons are currently active with the Canadian Forces and their assigned Wing.

As part of a reorganization in 2005, three squadrons (415,433, and 429) were disbanded. 415 merged with 405 Maritime Patrol Squadron, 429 merged with 436 Transport Squadron and 433 merged with 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron.

Further reorganization in 2006 will merge 416 Tactical Fighter Squadron and 441 Tactical Fighter Squadron -- the combined entity will be known as 409 Tactical Fighter Squadron.

[edit] Aircraft deployments

Maritime patrol aircraft are based at:

SAR squadrons are based at:

Transport and utility helicopters are based at:

Transport and VIP aircraft are based at:

Interceptor/tactical aircraft are based at:

with major low-level flying and bombing ranges for interceptor/tactical aircraft supported at 4 Wing Cold Lake and 5 Wing Goose Bay.

Maritime helicopters are based at:

[edit] Command and Control

The Commander of Air Command and the Chief of the Air Staff, Lieutenant-General Lucas, located at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa, commands and provides strategic direction for the Air Force.

The Commander of 1 Canadian Air Division and Canadian NORAD Region, MGen J.J.C. (Charlie) Bouchard, OMM, CD, is based in Winnipeg. He is responsible for the operational command and control of Air Force activities throughout Canada and world-wide.

[edit] Personnel

Regular Force personnel: 14,500
Reserve Force: 2,600
Civilians: 2,500

[edit] References

  1. ^ Airlift Capability Project - Tactical MERX Website - Government of Canada
  2. ^ Airlift Capability Project - Strategic ACP-S - ACAN MERX Website - Government of Canada
  3. ^ Medium to Heavy Lift Helicopter (MHLH) - ACAN MERX Website - Government of Canada
  4. ^ Joint Strike Fighter Signing Ceremony Department of Defense February 7, 2002.

[edit] External links

[edit] See also


Canadian Forces
Maritime Command | Land Force Command | Air Command


Canadian Forces Air Command

Fighter aircraft
CF-18 Hornet

Helicopters
CH-124 Sea King | CH-139 JetRanger | CH-146 Griffon | CH-148 Cyclone | CH-149 Cormorant

Cargo aircraft
CC-115 Buffalo | CC-130 Hercules | CC-138 Twin Otter | CC-144 Challenger | CC-150 Polaris

Patrol aircraft
CP-140 Aurora | CP-140A Arcturus

Trainer aircraft
CT-114 Tutor | CT-142 Dash 8 | CT-155 Hawk | CT-156 Harvard

UAVs
CU-161 Sperwer

Future Aircraft
CH-47 Chinook | CC-177 Globemaster III | CC-130J Hercules | CF-35 Lightning II | CC-27J Spartan | CF-22 Raptor

Wings
1 Wing Kingston | 3 Wing Bagotville | 4 Wing Cold Lake | 5 Wing Goose Bay | 8 Wing Trenton | 9 Wing Gander | 12 Wing Shearwater | 14 Wing Greenwood | 15 Wing Moose Jaw | 16 Wing Borden | 17 Wing Winnipeg | 19 Wing Comox | 22 Wing North Bay
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