Canadian Forces Air Command

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Template:Canadian Air Force

Canadian Forces Air Command (AIRCOM) is the air force branch of the Canadian Armed 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.

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Mission

AIRCOM is responsible for all aircraft operations in the Canadian Forces, enforcing Canada's airspace and provides 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.

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History

For history before 1968, see Royal Canadian Air Force

Image:RCAF-Roundel.svg

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. In a 1975 Canadian Forces reorganization, AIRCOM was created to handle all 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-188A/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-142 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.

In the early 1990s, AIRCOM transport and utility helicopters in support of army operations were cutback 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 considers this a loss of capability still, especially with the loss of the heavy lift capability of the Chinook.

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.

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AIRCOM Aircraft

Image:Canadian Armed Forces Air Command badge.png

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Strike, Attack and Offensive Support Aircraft

  • 115 McDonnell-Douglas CF-18 Hornet tactical fighter bombers
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Maritime Patrol/Reconnaissance Aircraft

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Helicopters

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Transport and Air-to-Air Refuelling Aircraft

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Training Aircraft

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Aircraft on order

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Wings

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 is home to permanent detachments from the UK's Royal Air Force, the German Luftwaffe, the Royal Netherlands Air Force and the Italian Aeronautica Militare. 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 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.
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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.

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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:

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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.

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Personnel

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

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External links

Template:Canadian Armed Forces Template:Military aircraft of Canada

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