CFB Winnipeg
Encyclopedia
Canadian Forces Base Winnipeg , (CFB Winnipeg) is a Canadian Forces Base
located within the City of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Co-located at the Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport, CFB Winnipeg is home to many flight operations support divisions, as well as several training schools. Its primary lodger unit is 17 Wing.
It is also the 1 Canadian Air Division/Canadian NORAD Region Headquarters. The base is supported by over 3,600 military personnel and civilian employees. It is also home to the Billy Bishop
Building, which houses 1 Canadian Air Division (1 Cdn Air Div, as of 2006 now known as 1 CAD).
was formed the previous year.
Initially, the base served as a winter home for units that operated across northern Manitoba. During World War II
, the base played an expanded role, participating in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan
. RCAF Station Winnipeg also became an important supply and repair depot for the air force.
Following the war, RCAF Station Winnipeg continued to provide training for pilots and navigators from many allied countries, as well as base active RCAF squadrons. The formation of No.2 Air Observer School & Central Nagivation School was created from the increased training activites which graduated over 5,000 aircrew from foreign countries.
The air force has long had a reserve or auxiliary presence there: No. 112 Squadron from 1932 to 1940 and then No.402 Squadron since 1946. This latter unit has used, successively, the P-51D Mustang, DH Vampire, Beech C-45 Expeditor, DH Otter and C-47 Dakota.
and Canadian Army formed the Canadian Forces
. As a result, RCAF Station Winnipeg was renamed as Canadian Forces Base Winnipeg (North)
The Canadian Army camp Fort Osborne Barracks, later re-named Kapyong Barracks, home of the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
(PPCLI), was merged with the RCAF base, becoming Canadian Forces Base Winnipeg (South). Kapyong Barracks closed in June 2004 and 2PPCLI re-located to CFB Shilo
near Brandon, Manitoba
. The Kapyong Barracks name was also transferred to the new garrison facility in CFB Shilo.
CFB Winnipeg became home to several transport and utility squadrons, as well as headquarters for Air Command
, which was formed in 1975. A realignment of the Canadian Forces in the mid-1990s saw Air Command HQ move to National Defence Headquarters. As with other AIRCOM bases across Canada, CFB Winnipeg's squadrons were grouped under a wing system, in this case 17 Wing Winnipeg, which is the highest-level unit at the base.
As an AIRCOM training centre, CFB Winnipeg is currently home to 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School (although the unit itself is located in Portage La Prairie, west of Winnipeg), the 1 Canadian Forces Flying Training School (formerly known as Canadian Forces Air Navigation School or CFANS), the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Studies (CFSAS), the Canadian Forces School of Survival and Aeromedical Training (CFSSAT), as well as the Canadian Forces School of Meteorology (CFS Met).
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...
located within the City of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Co-located at the Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport, CFB Winnipeg is home to many flight operations support divisions, as well as several training schools. Its primary lodger unit is 17 Wing.
It is also the 1 Canadian Air Division/Canadian NORAD Region Headquarters. The base is supported by over 3,600 military personnel and civilian employees. It is also home to the Billy Bishop
Billy Bishop
Air Marshal William Avery "Billy" Bishop VC, CB, DSO & Bar, MC, DFC, ED was a Canadian First World War flying ace, officially credited with 72 victories, making him the top Canadian ace, and according to some sources, the top ace of the British Empire.-Early life:Bishop was born in Owen Sound,...
Building, which houses 1 Canadian Air Division (1 Cdn Air Div, as of 2006 now known as 1 CAD).
History
Established in 1922 by the federal government's Canadian Air Board (the Canadian Air Force was disbanded in 1920), Winnipeg was opened as an aerodrome and became known as RCAF Station Winnipeg in 1925 after the Royal Canadian Air ForceRoyal 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...
was formed the previous year.
Initially, the base served as a winter home for units that operated across northern Manitoba. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the base played an expanded role, participating in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan
British Commonwealth Air Training Plan
The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan , known in some countries as the Empire Air Training Scheme , was a massive, joint military aircrew training program created by the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, during the Second World War...
. RCAF Station Winnipeg also became an important supply and repair depot for the air force.
Following the war, RCAF Station Winnipeg continued to provide training for pilots and navigators from many allied countries, as well as base active RCAF squadrons. The formation of No.2 Air Observer School & Central Nagivation School was created from the increased training activites which graduated over 5,000 aircrew from foreign countries.
The air force has long had a reserve or auxiliary presence there: No. 112 Squadron from 1932 to 1940 and then No.402 Squadron since 1946. This latter unit has used, successively, the P-51D Mustang, DH Vampire, Beech C-45 Expeditor, DH Otter and C-47 Dakota.
CFB Winnipeg
The February 1, 1968 unification of the RCAF with the Royal Canadian NavyRoyal 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...
and Canadian Army formed the Canadian Forces
Canadian Forces
The Canadian Forces , officially the Canadian Armed Forces , are the unified armed forces of Canada, as constituted by the National Defence Act, which states: "The Canadian Forces are the armed forces of Her Majesty raised by Canada and consist of one Service called the Canadian Armed Forces."...
. As a result, RCAF Station Winnipeg was renamed as Canadian Forces Base Winnipeg (North)
The Canadian Army camp Fort Osborne Barracks, later re-named Kapyong Barracks, home of the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry
Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry is one of the three regular force infantry regiments of the Canadian Army. The regiment is composed of four battalions including a primary reserve battalion, for a total of 2,000 soldiers...
(PPCLI), was merged with the RCAF base, becoming Canadian Forces Base Winnipeg (South). Kapyong Barracks closed in June 2004 and 2PPCLI re-located to CFB Shilo
CFB Shilo
Canadian Forces Base Shilo is an Operations and Training base of the Canadian Forces, located 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...
near Brandon, Manitoba
Brandon, Manitoba
Brandon is the second largest city in Manitoba, Canada, and is located in the southwestern area of the province. Brandon is the largest city in the Westman region of Manitoba. The city is located along the Assiniboine River. Spruce Woods Provincial Park and CFB Shilo are a relatively short distance...
. The Kapyong Barracks name was also transferred to the new garrison facility in CFB Shilo.
CFB Winnipeg became home to several transport and utility squadrons, as well as headquarters for Air Command
Canadian Forces Air Command
The Royal Canadian Air Force , formerly Canadian Forces Air Command, is one of three environmental commands of the Canadian Forces...
, which was formed in 1975. A realignment of the Canadian Forces in the mid-1990s saw Air Command HQ move to National Defence Headquarters. As with other AIRCOM bases across Canada, CFB Winnipeg's squadrons were grouped under a wing system, in this case 17 Wing Winnipeg, which is the highest-level unit at the base.
As an AIRCOM training centre, CFB Winnipeg is currently home to 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School (although the unit itself is located in Portage La Prairie, west of Winnipeg), the 1 Canadian Forces Flying Training School (formerly known as Canadian Forces Air Navigation School or CFANS), the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Studies (CFSAS), the Canadian Forces School of Survival and Aeromedical Training (CFSSAT), as well as the Canadian Forces School of Meteorology (CFS Met).
Current usage
For flight operations support, the base houses the following units:- 402 "City of Winnipeg" SquadronNo. 402 Squadron RCAF402 "City of Winnipeg" Squadron is about to be renamed , as a Royal Canadian Air Force squadron based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada-Pre-war history:...
, (De Havilland CT-142 Dash 8) - 435 “Chinthe” Transport and Rescue Squadron, (Lockheed CC-130 HerculesLockheed Martin KC-130The Lockheed Martin KC-130 is the basic designation for a family of the extended-range tanker version of the C-130 Hercules transport aircraft modified for aerial refuelling. The KC-130J is the latest variant operated by the United States Marine Corps, with 38 delivered out of 47 ordered...
) - 440 "Vampire" Transport & Rescue SquadronNo. 440 Squadron RCAFNo. 440 "City of Ottawa" Transport Squadron is a unit of the Canadian Forces under the Royal Canadian Air Force. It is part of 17 Wing and Joint Task Force North located in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories....
based in Yellowknife, NWT. (CC-138 Twin Otter) - 1 Air Movements Squadron
- Canadian Forces School of Aeromedical Training