CFB Shilo

CFB Shilo
Shilo Heliport
ASU Shilo
Summary
Airport type Military
Owner Government of Canada
Operator DND
Location Shilo, Rural Municipality of North Cypress / Rural Municipality of South Cypress
Built 1932
In use 1910
Time zone CST (UTC−06:00)
 • Summer (DST) CDT (UTC−05:00)
Elevation AMSL 1,225 ft / 373 m
Coordinates 49°48′N 099°38′W / 49.800°N 99.633°W / 49.800; -99.633Coordinates: 49°48′N 099°38′W / 49.800°N 99.633°W / 49.800; -99.633
Website www.army.forces.gc.ca
Map
CKM3

Location in Manitoba

Helipads
Number Length Surface
ft m
60 × 60 18 × 18 n/a

Canadian Forces Base Shilo (or CFB Shilo) is an Operations and Training base of the Canadian Forces, located 35 km (22 mi) east of Brandon, Manitoba. During the 1990s, Canadian Forces Base Shilo was also designated as an Area Support Unit, which acts as a local base of operations for south-west Manitoba in times of military and civil emergency.

It is located at the very southwest corner of the Rural Municipality of North Cypress, and the very northwest corner of the Rural Municipality of South Cypress. Additionally, it lies adjacent to the eastern border of the Rural Municipality of Cornwallis.

History and demographics

CFB Shilo has been a training facility for the Canadian Forces since 1910, and saw an increase in its use as a training facility following the outbreak of World War I. A World War I era War trophy Field Gun 77mm s/n 3316 is on display at CFB Shilo.[2]

The principal purpose of this base is for training in artillery and munitions, activities audibly recognized, though not begrudged, by generations of nearby residents. In 1942, training of the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion was transferred here from Fort Benning, Georgia. The existence of the base has enhanced the economic stability of the surrounding area through contracted employment with the Department of National Defence, and provision of off-base services to staff and trainees. CFB Shilo provides employment for approximately 1,400 military personnel, as well as an additional estimated 450 civilian personnel. The base is located within the federal electoral district of Brandon—Souris.

Geographic/geological significance

The landscape in this area is particularly well suited to these operations. The rolling hills are well suited to hidden target firing drills. Soil compositions of loose sand/gravel aggregates are also ideal for Artillery and Munitions training. The lack of surface bedrock outcropping greatly reduces the chances of hazardous ricochets during live-fire exercises and also assists in the safe retrieval and secure disposal of both detonated and un-detonated ordnance.

Associated units

CFB Shilo is the home of the:

In addition, CFB Shilo lodges training units such as:

Other supported units include 26th Field Artillery Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery, RCA Brandon's Reserve Unit and 38 Canadian Brigade Group, headquartered in Winnipeg.

It also serves as a base for some support units of 3rd Canadian Division, including 731 Signal Squadron.

External connections/partnerships

In addition to the many Canadian Regular Force and reserve soldiers who train at Shilo, troops from several foreign countries, including Germany, France, Denmark and the United States, have trained here. Germany, in particular, trained over 140,000 soldiers from 1974 to 2000 under the direction of the German Army Training Establishment Shilo (GATES). Many signs of the 27-year legacy left by the Germans remain at Shilo and throughout the southwest Manitoba region.[6] CFB Shilo has also seen use by Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers and employees of the Manitoba Department of Corrections.

Fiduciary concerns

Since the late 1970s, CFB Shilo has been the subject of much political debate regarding the possibility of ceasing operations due primarily to the costs associated with operating and maintaining the base. These political arguments arise regardless of which political party forms the respective Federal and Provincial governments. At this point, the issue has been debated for approximately 25 years and there are still no definitive decisions as to the continuation or cessation of operations.

Despite this uncertainty, recent years have seen government investment into the base. In the period from 2004–2008, over $50 million was spent on expansion of base facilities.[7]

Transportation

The base is 8 km (5.0 mi) south of the Trans-Canada Highway on PR 340.[5] There are two heliports associated with the base. Shilo Heliport is located on the base while Shilo (Flewin Field) (TC LID: CKN9), with a 66 ft × 66 ft (20 m × 20 m) pad, is located 1.1 nautical miles (2.0 km; 1.3 mi) south.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 Canada Flight Supplement. Effective 0901Z 27 April 2017 to 0901Z 22 June 2017
  2. ↑ WWI War Trophies
  3. ↑ 1RCHA
  4. ↑ 2PPCLI
  5. 1 2 Land Force Western Area Training Centre Detachment Shilo
  6. ↑ History of Canadian Forces Base Shilo
  7. ↑ CFB Shilo Overview
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