It is one of the largest ever investments at Canadian Forces Base Trenton.
Friday morning at Hangar 7 at 8-Wing, Defence Minister Bill Blair and the Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force Lieutenant-General Eric Kenny, announced $850 million in infrastructure and aircraft investment for the base.
The money will fund airfield and infrastructure work, including the design of a two-bay hangar for the new fleet of CC-330 refueling, cargo, and passenger planes known as the Husky Fleet. That includes the taxi ways and a reinforced runway at the base.
“The first of these aircraft entered service last November and it has been transporting personnel since then. The second of these aircraft was delivered to Canada just a few weeks ago, and we will be receiving the other used Huskies in the coming year.”
Blair says that in the interim the planes will be located at Ottawa International Airport, but will call Trenton home soon. Trenton will serve as the Eastern Canada operating hub for the planes.
A strengthening of the taxi
Commander Kenny explained the timeline for the remainder of Husky Fleet rollout.
“We’ve signed a contract now to receive three more. They’ll be coming in approximately the next year to two years.”
There will be nine planes in total for the Husky Fleet. The planes are being readied in Spain so they can be a multi-use aircraft so cargo, passengers, and for the air-to-air refueling capabilities.
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Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force Lieutenant-General Eric Kenny. The Vigalance aircraft is photographed behind him
Both General Kenny and Minister Blair also welcomed the new fleet of Vigilance turbo prop aircraft, which will offer manned airborne intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance capability. These planes will be used by Canada’s special forces and also will be located at 8-Wing.
“Here at Trenton, is the first of three CE-145C aircraft to fulfill this role. The aircraft, which you see behind me today, will be named Vigilance.”
Blair says the investment is for our military women and men and for all Canadians.
“We’re building tomorrow’s Royal Canadian Air Force and I believe that this something that all Canadian’s should be proud of and to support.”
Minister Blair also spoke to the economic benefits of the project, which would lead to jobs for maintenance of the aircraft, along with the infrastructure at the base.
“Will create real opportunities for the people of this region and create jobs, which is also an important element of the investment that we are making in the Royal Canadian Air Force.”
The CC-330 Husky aircraft will replace the RCAF’s current CC-150 Polaris fleet of five aircraft.
You can listen to the entire media conference below.
Defence Minister Bill Blair (Photo: Tim Durkin/ Quinte News)
