CFB Trenton

Canadian Forces Base Trenton
Trenton Airport
IATA: YTRICAO: CYTR
WMO: 71621
Summary
Airport type Military
Owner The Queen in Right of Canada
Operator DND
Location Trenton, Ontario
Elevation AMSL 283 ft / 86 m
Coordinates
Website www.cfbtrenton.com
Map
CYTR
Location in Ontario
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
06/24 10,000 3,048 Asphalt
Source: Canada Flight Supplement[1]
Environment Canada[2]

Canadian Forces Base Trenton (IATA: YTRICAO: CYTR) (also CFB Trenton), is a Canadian Forces base located 2.3 NM (4.3 km; 2.6 mi) northeast of Trenton, Ontario. It is operated as an air force base by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and is the hub for air transport operations in Canada and abroad. Its primary lodger unit is 8 Wing.

The airport is classified as an airport of entry by NAV CANADA and is staffed by the Canada Border Services Agency. The use of the airport for civilian aircraft is permitted for emergencies or MEDEVACs only.[1]

Contents

History

In 1929, 960 acres (390 ha) of farmland near Trenton were purchased by the federal government to establish a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) station to be called RCAF Station Trenton. The base was officially opened in August 1931. Lord Bessborough, the Governor General in 1931, laid the commemorative cornerstone of the airbase, which had the motto, “Per Ardua ad Rem,” or “Through Adversity to the Good” . This motto was the long-standing unspoken motto of the airmen of CFB Trenton.[3] Trenton was intended as a smaller supporting base to RCAF Station Borden, which was the home of Canadian military aviation and a major training base at the time. By June 1937 it had replaced Camp Borden as the primary flying training centre; the older station was given over increasingly to technical and trades training.[4] The location was chosen for being the mid-point between Ottawa and Toronto. It also provided the possibility of using the facility for seaplanes operating on Lake Ontario.

RCAF Station Trenton became host to No. 1 Fighter and No. 3 Army Cooperation Flights, flying Siskin and Tiger Moth aircraft. Trenton became a major training centre during the Second World War under Canada's participation in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Schools included the RCAF Central Flying School, No. 1 Air Navigation School (to 1942), No. 1 Flying Instructor School, and No. 1 Composite Training School.[5] Along with the trainees, the 6 Repair Depot was based at Trenton. Following the war, Trenton became home to transport and fighter aircraft, with transport aircraft from the base taking part in the Korean Airlift, as well as numerous other missions throughout the 1950s and 1960s.

In 1958, RCAF Station Trenton became the destination for several test flights of the CF-105 Arrow, flying from the Avro Canada manufacturing facility at Malton Airport.

Canada upgraded its transport and search and rescue fleets during the 1960s when the RCAF purchased the CC-137 Husky, CC-130 Hercules, CH-113 Labrador and CC-115 Buffalo aircraft. RCAF Station Trenton became the home of training facilities for these aircraft.

RCAF Station Trenton was renamed Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Trenton after the February 1, 1968 merger of the RCAF with the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Army to form the Canadian Forces.

CFB Trenton has several recognized and classified Federal Heritage buildings on the Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings. [6]

Facilities

Current

The recapitalization of the northeast ramp was completed in summer 2008, and reconstruction of the southeast ramp was completed in the summer of 2009.[7]

Construction of a new air traffic control tower was completed in July 2010.[8]

The Canadian Forces Aerospace Warfare Centre is housed in a new building named after Air Marshal Clare Annis. Leed Gold Standard certification is underway from the Canada Green Building Council.[9]

A new Material Distribution Centre opened on November 2, 2010. The $2.4-million project is an amalgamation and co-location of the Wing's Central Material Traffic Terminal of 2 Air Movement Squadron (2 AMS) with the material distribution centre of 8 Wing Supply.[10]

Future

The construction of a new northwest ramp and associated taxiway infrastructure, consisting of approximately 82,500 m2 (888,000 sq ft) of concrete and 47,400 m2 (510,200 sq ft) of asphalt surface began in 2009. This recapitalization provides more area for maneuvering, parking and loading aircraft, while providing adequate space to accommodate aircraft.[11]

A 17,500 m2 (188,400 sq ft) electrical/mechanic engineering (EME) and transportation garage valued at $75 million is being built.[12]

The Air Mobility Training Centre project will see the construction of a 17,000 m2 (183,000 sq ft) facility that will house the equipment and personnel required to train operators and maintainers of the CC-130J Super Hercules aircraft. Building construction will be completed in 2011 and operations will begin in 2012.[13][12]

A contract for new training accommodations is expected to be awarded in 2010, with construction tentatively set for completion by summer 2012.[12]

Maintenance Hangar 1 is a two bay maintenance hangar designed for the large C-177 Globemasters. The 16,630 m2 (179,000 sq ft) building is expected to be completed by spring 2013.[12]

Maintenance Hangar 2 is a two bay maintenance hangar designed for CC-130J Super Hercules aircraft. It will be a 11,613 m2 (125,000 sq ft), and will include 4,500 m2 (48,400 sq ft) of office space and shop support areas. Construction is to be be completed by February 2013.

Present operations

The RCAF operates the majority of its fixed-wing tactical airlift and all of its strategic airlift aircraft from CFB Trenton.

CFB Trenton plays a key support role for the National Search and Rescue Program, being home to Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Trenton (JRCC Trenton) which is jointly staffed by the RCAF and Canadian Coast Guard personnel who have responsibility for coordinating aircraft and marine rescue incidents in central and Arctic Canada. The RCAF also operates the Canadian Mission Control Centre (CMCC) from the base, which is tasked with monitoring the Cospas-Sarsat system that detects transmissions from emergency locating beacons on aircraft or marine vessels in distress through Canada's search and rescue area of responsibility.

The Canadian Army also operates the Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare Centre, formerly known as the Canadian Parachute Centre.

8 Wing operates several aircraft types, including CC-130 Hercules, CC-150 Polaris and CC-177 Globemaster transport aircraft, the CH-146 Griffon search and rescue helicopters, and the CC-144 Challenger VIP transport aircraft. The Challenger fleet, used to fly the Governor General, members of the Royal Family (when visiting Canada), the Prime Minister and members of the federal cabinet, is based at Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport but supported from CFB Trenton.

Current squadrons under 8 Wing include:

Temporary storage facilities were built at the base for the CC-177. Permanent hangars will be built by 2013.

The current commander of the base is Colonel Sean Friday, who assumed his post on August 11, 2011,[14]. From 2009-2010, 8 Wing Trenton was commanded by the infamous Russell Williams, who was formally charged under the Criminal Code with two counts of first-degree murder along with two counts of forcible confinement and two counts of break and enter and sexual assault.[15]

Economic Impact on Trenton Community

CFB Trenton, based on statistical date from the Fiscal Year 2004-2005, had a annual population impact (Regular Force members & dependants) of 8,185. The airbase also had an estimated local spending impact (direct and indirect) of $278,195,000 for that Fiscal Year. The airbase also directly employed 3,163 people and indirectly employed 437 people. [16]

Other operations

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Canada Flight Supplement. Effective 0901Z 15 December 2011 to 0901Z 9 February 2012
  2. ^ "Synoptic/Metstat Station Information". http://climate.weatheroffice.gc.ca/prods_servs/metstat1_e.html. Retrieved 2011-03-22. 
  3. ^ page-eng.asp?id=523. "8 Wing History". Royal Canadian Air Force. http://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/8w-8e/ page-eng.asp?id=523.. Retrieved 26 September 2011. 
  4. ^ Millberry, Larry (1984). Sixty Years: The RCAF and CF Air Command. Toronto, ON: CANAV Books. pp. 44. 
  5. ^ "British Commonwealth Air Training Plan Schools - Canada". http://www.bombercrew.com/BCATP.htm. Retrieved 2011-03-23. 
  6. ^ http://www.pc.gc.ca/apps/beefp-fhbro/FHB_Rech_Search_e.asp Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings.
  7. ^ article-eng.do?crtr.sj1D=&mthd=advSrch&crtr.mnthndVl=10&nid=484489&crtr.dpt1D=&cr tr.tp1D=&crtr.lc1D=&crtr.yrStrtVl=2008&crtr.kw=&crtr.dyStrtVl=1&crtr.aud1D=&crtr. mnthStrtVl=10&crtr.yrndVl=2009&crtr.dyndVl=23. "Trenton Infrastructure". Canada News Centre. http://news.gc.ca/web/ article-eng.do?crtr.sj1D=&mthd=advSrch&crtr.mnthndVl=10&nid=484489&crtr.dpt1D=&cr tr.tp1D=&crtr.lc1D=&crtr.yrStrtVl=2008&crtr.kw=&crtr.dyStrtVl=1&crtr.aud1D=&crtr. mnthStrtVl=10&crtr.yrndVl=2009&crtr.dyndVl=23.. Retrieved 27 September 2011. 
  8. ^ "New air traffic control tower opens at CFB Trenton". Intelligencer.ca. http://www.intelligencer.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2660318. Retrieved 2011-03-22. 
  9. ^ Isabelle, Major (2010-10-07). "More than a building dedication:... | Air Force Articles | News and Events - Air Force News | Air Force | DND/CF". Airforce.forces.gc.ca. http://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/v2/nr-sp/index-eng.asp?id=11113. Retrieved 2011-03-22. 
  10. ^ "$2.4M distribution centre opens - Trenton Trentonian - Ontario, CA". Trentonian.ca. http://www.trentonian.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2829650. Retrieved 2011-03-22. 
  11. ^ article-eng.do?crtr.sj1D=&mthd=advSrch&crtr.mnthndVl=10&nid=484489&crtr.dpt1D=&cr tr.tp1D=&crtr.lc1D=&crtr.yrStrtVl=2008&crtr.kw=&crtr.dyStrtVl=1&crtr.aud1D=&crtr. mnthStrtVl=10&crtr.yrndVl=2009&crtr.dyndVl=23. "Trenton Infrastructure". Canada News Centre. http://news.gc.ca/web/ article-eng.do?crtr.sj1D=&mthd=advSrch&crtr.mnthndVl=10&nid=484489&crtr.dpt1D=&cr tr.tp1D=&crtr.lc1D=&crtr.yrStrtVl=2008&crtr.kw=&crtr.dyStrtVl=1&crtr.aud1D=&crtr. mnthStrtVl=10&crtr.yrndVl=2009&crtr.dyndVl=23.. Retrieved 27 September 2011. 
  12. ^ a b c d Government of Canada - Canada News Centre - "Trenton Infrastructure backgrounder" 11 September 2009. Retrieved 2011-04-20
  13. ^ "New Air Mobility Training Centre to support CC130J operations" by Tom Phil. 10 December 2009
  14. ^ "8 Wing Trenton > Who We Are - Senior Staff > Wing Commander". Canadian Forces. 2011-08-17. http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/8w-8e/page-eng.asp?id=1211. Retrieved December 23, 2011. 
  15. ^ "Air Force commander 'shocked' by colonel's arrest". Ctv.ca. http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20100208/lloyd_police_national_100208/20100208?hub=TopStoriesV2. Retrieved 2011-03-22. 
  16. ^ "DND/CF Economic Impact: 8 Wing/CFB Trenton". National Defence and the Canadian Forces. http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/pri/first-premier/bases/trenton-eng.asp#content.. Retrieved 26 September 2011. 

External links