CFB Halifax
Encyclopedia
Canadian Forces Base Halifax (CFB Halifax) is Canada
's east coast navy base and home port to the Atlantic
fleet, known as Maritime Forces Atlantic
.
It is presently the largest Canadian Forces Base
in terms of the number of posted personnel and is formed from an amalgamation of military properties situated around the strategic Halifax Harbour
in Nova Scotia
.
Components of the base are described below.
following the withdrawal of British military forces from Canada in 1906. Prior to 1906, it was known as Royal Naval Dockyard, Halifax
and is one of the oldest defence establishments in Canada, having been established by the Royal Navy during the 18th century as HM Dockyard.
HMC Dockyard is located on the western side of Halifax Harbour at the southern end of The Narrows. It hosts the headquarters of Maritime Forces Atlantic
(MARLANT), the formal name for the Atlantic Fleet. HMC Dockyard contains berths for Canadian and foreign warships, Formation Supply Facility, Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Scott, shore-based training facilities as well as operations buildings for MARLANT and other organizations such as Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Halifax (JRCC Halifax).
HMC Dockyard also has an adjunct facility directly across the harbour on the Dartmouth
shoreline with jetties and various buildings, including Defence Research and Development Canada - Atlantic.
HMC Dockyard maintains exclusive control of several anchorage areas within the limits of Halifax Harbour and prevents civilian vessels from sailing in the vicinity of military facilities; a floating force protection boom system is currently being constructed to prevent small vessels from unauthorized passage near warships and pierside facilities.
Stadacona, formerly referred to as "HMCS Stadacona" (pre-1968) and frequently referred to as "Stad", is an adjunct to HMC Dockyard located west of the waterfront in the North End
of the Halifax peninsula. Stadacona contains the Canadian Forces Naval Engineering School (with facilities at Herring Cove
/York Redoubt
, south of Halifax), the Canadian Forces Naval Operations School, the base hospital, the Canadian Forces Maritime Warfare Centre, and various mess
es. Stadacona is also home to the headquarters of Land Force Atlantic Area
and the Maritime Command Museum
.
Stadacona was originally built as the British Army
's Wellington Barracks, later known as the Nelson Barracks, as part of the Halifax Defence Complex. After the departure of British military forces from Canada in 1906, the Royal Canadian Navy
appropriated the site and it was transformed into HMCS Stadacona.
of Halifax. Stadacona is home to the Atlantic Block, a barracks for single junior non-commissioned officers and enlisted sailors. Base housing also used to be provided at Shannon Park
and Wallis Heights in the North End of Dartmouth, however with defence cutbacks in the 1990s, this area has been sold for civilian use. Housing is available at the 12 Wing Shearwater site, which is part of CFB Halifax. A large number of service personnel own or rent civilian property in the area.
. It houses all of the weaponry for MARLANT vessels and has a loading jetty and several nearby anchorages.
HMCS Trinity operates two remote radio transmitter/receiver stations near Halifax:
HMCS Trinity also hosts the Canadian Forces IUSS Centre or CFIC which operates two remote SOSUS
arrays in support of the Integrated Undersea Surveillance System for the United States Navy
. These arrays were formerly operated from two separate joint USN/Canadian Forces facilities that were closed upon the opening of CFIC:
is an airfield located on the eastern shore of Halifax Harbour in the community of Eastern Passage
that supports CH-124 Sea King
helicopters used on the RCN's warships based at CFB Halifax.
Formerly a separate base known as CFB Shearwater
, the airfield was realigned as part of CFB Halifax during the mid-1990s. 12 Wing, a Royal Canadian Air Force
unit that reports to 1 Canadian Air Division
, is the primary user of the Shearwater Heliport and is headquartered there. DND properties that were formerly aligned to CFB Shearwater, such as the Hartlen Point Golf Course and the Shearwater Jetty, are now part of CFB Halifax.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
's east coast navy base and home port to the Atlantic
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
fleet, known as Maritime Forces Atlantic
Maritime Forces Atlantic
In the Canadian Forces, Maritime Forces Atlantic is responsible for the fleet and operations of the Royal Canadian Navy in the Atlantic Ocean and Arctic Ocean. The Commander of MARLANT is a two-star Rear Admiral....
.
It is presently the largest Canadian Forces Base
Canadian Forces base
A Canadian Forces Base or CFB is a military installation of the Canadian Forces. For a facility to qualify as a Canadian Forces Base, it must station one or more major units .Minor installations are named Canadian Forces Station or CFS A Canadian Forces Base or CFB (French Base des forces...
in terms of the number of posted personnel and is formed from an amalgamation of military properties situated around the strategic Halifax Harbour
Halifax Harbour
Halifax Harbour is a large natural harbour on the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia, Canada, located in the Halifax Regional Municipality.-Harbour description:The harbour is called Jipugtug by the Mi'kmaq first nation, anglisized as Chebucto...
in Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
.
Components of the base are described below.
Her Majesty's Canadian Dockyard (HMC Dockyard)
HMC Dockyard was acquired by the Canadian government from the Royal NavyRoyal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
following the withdrawal of British military forces from Canada in 1906. Prior to 1906, it was known as Royal Naval Dockyard, Halifax
Royal Naval Dockyard, Halifax
Royal Naval Dockyard, Halifax was a British Royal Navy base in Halifax, Nova Scotia from 1759 to 1905. The Halifax Yard was the main year round base of the Royal Navy's North American Station when first established in 1759 during the Seven Years' War....
and is one of the oldest defence establishments in Canada, having been established by the Royal Navy during the 18th century as HM Dockyard.
HMC Dockyard is located on the western side of Halifax Harbour at the southern end of The Narrows. It hosts the headquarters of Maritime Forces Atlantic
Maritime Forces Atlantic
In the Canadian Forces, Maritime Forces Atlantic is responsible for the fleet and operations of the Royal Canadian Navy in the Atlantic Ocean and Arctic Ocean. The Commander of MARLANT is a two-star Rear Admiral....
(MARLANT), the formal name for the Atlantic Fleet. HMC Dockyard contains berths for Canadian and foreign warships, Formation Supply Facility, Fleet Maintenance Facility Cape Scott, shore-based training facilities as well as operations buildings for MARLANT and other organizations such as Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Halifax (JRCC Halifax).
HMC Dockyard also has an adjunct facility directly across the harbour on the Dartmouth
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Dartmouth founded in 1750, is a community and planning area of the Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia. Located on the eastern shore of Halifax Harbour, Dartmouth has been nicknamed the City of Lakes after the large number of lakes located in the city.On April 1, 1996, the provincial...
shoreline with jetties and various buildings, including Defence Research and Development Canada - Atlantic.
HMC Dockyard maintains exclusive control of several anchorage areas within the limits of Halifax Harbour and prevents civilian vessels from sailing in the vicinity of military facilities; a floating force protection boom system is currently being constructed to prevent small vessels from unauthorized passage near warships and pierside facilities.
Stadacona
North End, Halifax
The North End of Halifax is a neighbourhood located in the urban core of Nova Scotia's Halifax Regional Municipality, occupying the northern part of the Halifax Peninsula.-Geography:...
of the Halifax peninsula. Stadacona contains the Canadian Forces Naval Engineering School (with facilities at Herring Cove
Herring Cove, Nova Scotia
Herring Cove is a Canadian suburban and fishing community in Nova Scotia's Halifax Regional Municipality. It is situated on the eastern shore of the Chebucto Peninsula, 15 kilometres south of Downtown Halifax...
/York Redoubt
York Redoubt
York Redoubt is a National Historic Site of Canada situated on a bluff overlooking the entrance to Halifax Harbour at Ferguson's Cove, Nova Scotia, originally constructed in 1793. It was a key element in the defence of Halifax Harbour in the 19th and 20th centuries, and underwent many additions to...
, south of Halifax), the Canadian Forces Naval Operations School, the base hospital, the Canadian Forces Maritime Warfare Centre, and various mess
Mess
A mess is the place where military personnel socialise, eat, and live. In some societies this military usage has extended to other disciplined services eateries such as civilian fire fighting and police forces. The root of mess is the Old French mes, "portion of food" A mess (also called a...
es. Stadacona is also home to the headquarters of Land Force Atlantic Area
Land Force Atlantic Area
Land Force Atlantic Area is responsible for Canadian Army operations in the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. LFAA is headquartered at Canadian Forces Base Halifax on the Atlantic coast...
and the Maritime Command Museum
Maritime Command Museum
The Maritime Command Museum is a Canadian Forces museum and National Historic Site located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada which collects, preserves and displays the artifacts and history of the Royal Canadian Navy...
.
Stadacona was originally built as the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
's Wellington Barracks, later known as the Nelson Barracks, as part of the Halifax Defence Complex. After the departure of British military forces from Canada in 1906, the Royal Canadian Navy
Royal Canadian Navy
The history of the Royal Canadian Navy goes back to 1910, when the naval force was created as the Naval Service of Canada and renamed a year later by King George V. The Royal Canadian Navy is one of the three environmental commands of the Canadian Forces...
appropriated the site and it was transformed into HMCS Stadacona.
Housing
Housing for CFB Halifax is provided to Canadian Forces personnel and their dependents at Windsor Park, a housing area built by the Department of National Defence in the West EndWest End, Halifax
The West End is a neighbourhood of Halifax Regional Municipality in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia, located on the western half of the Halifax Peninsula. The West End is predominantly middle class with many blocks of tree-lined older residential streets. However, it is also home to many...
of Halifax. Stadacona is home to the Atlantic Block, a barracks for single junior non-commissioned officers and enlisted sailors. Base housing also used to be provided at Shannon Park
Shannon Park, Nova Scotia
Shannon Park is a former military community on the eastern shore of Halifax Harbour in the Halifax Regional Municipality in Nova Scotia, Canada. It is immediately south of the A. Murray MacKay Bridge in the city of Dartmouth...
and Wallis Heights in the North End of Dartmouth, however with defence cutbacks in the 1990s, this area has been sold for civilian use. Housing is available at the 12 Wing Shearwater site, which is part of CFB Halifax. A large number of service personnel own or rent civilian property in the area.
CFAD Bedford
The Canadian Forces Ammunition Depot Bedford, informally referred to as the "Bedford Magazine", is a major Canadian Forces property occupying the entire northern shore of Bedford BasinBedford Basin
Bedford Basin is a large enclosed bay, forming the northwestern end of Halifax Harbour on Canada's Atlantic coast.-Geography:Geographically, the basin is situated entirely within the Halifax Regional Municipality and is oriented northwest-southeast, measuring approximately 8 kilometres long and 5...
. It houses all of the weaponry for MARLANT vessels and has a loading jetty and several nearby anchorages.
HMCS Trinity
HMCS Trinity is the name of the organization housed at Stadacona which is tasked with maintaining MARLANT communications with vessels and other Canadian Forces and allied units, as well as developing strategic and tactical operational intelligence for unit commanders.HMCS Trinity operates two remote radio transmitter/receiver stations near Halifax:
- Naval Radio Station Newport Corner
- Naval Radio Station Mill Cove
HMCS Trinity also hosts the Canadian Forces IUSS Centre or CFIC which operates two remote SOSUS
SOSUS
SOSUS, an acronym for Sound Surveillance System, is a chain of underwater listening posts across the northern Atlantic Ocean near Greenland, Iceland and the United Kingdom — the GIUK gap. It was originally operated by the United States Navy for tracking Soviet submarines, which had to pass...
arrays in support of the Integrated Undersea Surveillance System for the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
. These arrays were formerly operated from two separate joint USN/Canadian Forces facilities that were closed upon the opening of CFIC:
- Naval Station ArgentiaNaval Station ArgentiaNaval Station Argentia is a former base of the United States Navy that operated from 1941-1994. It was established in the community of Argentia in what was then the Dominion of Newfoundland, which later became the tenth Canadian province .-Construction:Established under the British-U.S...
, closed fall 1994 - CFS ShelburneCFS ShelburneCanadian Forces Station Shelburne, also known as CFS Shelburne, is a former Canadian Forces Station located in Shelburne County, Nova Scotia.The facility operated from two locations within the Municipality of the District of Shelburne:...
, closed summer 1994
Shearwater Heliport
The Shearwater HeliportCFB Shearwater
Canadian Forces Base Shearwater , commonly referred to as CFB Shearwater, was a Canadian Forces Base located in Shearwater, Nova Scotia on the eastern shore of Halifax Harbour in the Halifax Regional Municipality....
is an airfield located on the eastern shore of Halifax Harbour in the community of Eastern Passage
Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia
Eastern Passage is a Canadian urban community in Nova Scotia's Halifax Regional Municipality.Located at the southeastern edge of Halifax Harbour, fronting the Atlantic Ocean, Eastern Passage derives its name from the narrow strait separating the mainland from McNabs Island and Lawlor Island, both...
that supports CH-124 Sea King
CH-124 Sea King
The Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King is a twin-engined anti-submarine warfare helicopter designed for shipboard use. The Canadian variant is based on the US Navy's SH-3 and has been continuously in service with the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Forces since 1963.-Design and development:The advent of...
helicopters used on the RCN's warships based at CFB Halifax.
Formerly a separate base known as CFB Shearwater
CFB Shearwater
Canadian Forces Base Shearwater , commonly referred to as CFB Shearwater, was a Canadian Forces Base located in Shearwater, Nova Scotia on the eastern shore of Halifax Harbour in the Halifax Regional Municipality....
, the airfield was realigned as part of CFB Halifax during the mid-1990s. 12 Wing, a Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
unit that reports to 1 Canadian Air Division
1 Canadian Air Division
1 Canadian Air Division is the operational-level command and control formation of the Royal Canadian Air Force...
, is the primary user of the Shearwater Heliport and is headquartered there. DND properties that were formerly aligned to CFB Shearwater, such as the Hartlen Point Golf Course and the Shearwater Jetty, are now part of CFB Halifax.
See also
- Royal Naval Dockyard, HalifaxRoyal Naval Dockyard, HalifaxRoyal Naval Dockyard, Halifax was a British Royal Navy base in Halifax, Nova Scotia from 1759 to 1905. The Halifax Yard was the main year round base of the Royal Navy's North American Station when first established in 1759 during the Seven Years' War....
- MARLANT - Maritime Forces Atlantic. Has a page listing CFB Halifax's various units.