CFB Trenton - Present Operations

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 III 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:

• 424 Transport and Rescue Squadron (424 Tiger Squadron) - Flying the CC-130E/H and CH-146
• 426 Transport Training Squadron (426 Thunderbird Squadron) - Training for CC-130H, CC-150, CH-146
• 429 Transport Squadron (429 Bison Squadron) - Flying the CC-177
• 436 Transport Squadron (436 Tusker Squadron) - Flying the CC-130J
• 437 Transport Squadron (437 Husky Squadron) - Flying the CC-150
• 412 Transport Squadron - Flying the CC-144 (Ottawa, ON)
• 2 Air Movement Squadron (2 Air Mov Sqn)
• 8 Air Communications and Control Squadron (8 ACCS)
• 8 Air Maintenance Squadron (8 AMS)

Temporary storage facilities were built at the base for the CC-177 Globemaster III. 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, the Wing Chief Warrant Officer is CWO Sandor Gyuk. From 2009-2010, 8 Wing Trenton was commanded by Russell Williams, who was relieved of command following charges of murder being laid under the Criminal Code.