Canadian Forces Base Trenton (also CFB Trenton), formerly RCAF Station Trenton, is a Canadian Forces base located within the city of

Quinte West, Ontario Quinte West () is a city, geographically located in but List of Ontario separated municipalities, administratively separated from Hastings County, in Southern Ontario, Canada. It is on the western end of the Bay of Quinte on Lake Ontario. The Lake ...

. It is operated as an air force base by the

Royal Canadian Air Force The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF; ) is the air and space force of Canada. Its role is to "provide the Canadian Forces with relevant, responsive and effective airpower". The RCAF is one of three environmental commands within the unified Can ...

(RCAF) and is the hub for air transport operations in Canada and abroad. Its primary RCAF lodger unit is 8 Wing, commonly referred to as 8 Wing Trenton. CFB Trenton is Canada's largest Air Force base and most southerly air base. The airport is classified as an airport of entry by Nav Canada and is staffed by the

Canada Border Services Agency The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA; , ''ASFC'') is a federal law enforcement agency that is responsible for border guard, border control (i.e. protection and surveillance), immigration enforcement, and Customs, customs services in Canada. ...

. The use of the airport for civilian aircraft is permitted for emergencies or MEDEVACs only and the CBSA officers can only handle

general aviation General aviation (GA) is defined by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) as all civil aviation aircraft operations except for commercial air transport or aerial work, which is defined as specialized aviation services for other ...

aircraft with up to 15 passengers.

History

1929–1939 Prewar

In 1929, of farmland near Trenton were purchased by the federal government to establish a

(RCAF) station to be called RCAF Station Trenton. The base was officially opened in August 1931. Lord Bessborough, the Governor General in 1931, laid the commemorative cornerstone of the airbase, which had the motto, "''Per Ardua ad Rem''," or "Through Adversity to the Good". This motto was the long-standing unspoken motto of the airmen of CFB Trenton. Trenton was intended as a smaller supporting base to RCAF Station Borden, which was the home of Canadian military aviation and a major training base at the time. By June 1937 it had replaced Camp Borden as the primary flying training centre; the older station was given over increasingly to technical and trades training. The location was chosen for being the midpoint between

Ottawa Ottawa is the capital city of Canada. It is located in the southern Ontario, southern portion of the province of Ontario, at the confluence of the Ottawa River and the Rideau River. Ottawa borders Gatineau, Gatineau, Quebec, and forms the cor ...

and

Toronto Toronto ( , locally pronounced or ) is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most populous city in Canada. It is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a p ...

. It also provided the possibility of using the facility for

seaplane A seaplane is a powered fixed-wing aircraft capable of takeoff, taking off and water landing, landing (alighting) on water.Gunston, "The Cambridge Aerospace Dictionary", 2009. Seaplanes are usually divided into two categories based on their tech ...

s operating on

Lake Ontario Lake Ontario is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. It is bounded on the north, west, and southwest by the Canadian province of Ontario, and on the south and east by the U.S. state of New York (state), New York. The Canada–United Sta ...

1939–1945 World War II

No. 1 Fighter and No. 3 Army Cooperation Flights, flying Siskin and Tiger Moth aircraft, were the first air elements to be hosted at Trenton. Trenton was the largest training centre of the

British Commonwealth Air Training Plan The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP), often referred to as simply "The Plan", was a large-scale multinational military aircrew training program created by the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand during the Second Wo ...

(BCATP) during the

Second World War World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...

. Schools included the RCAF Central Flying School, No. 1 Air Navigation School (to 1942), No. 1 Flying Instructor School, and No. 1 Composite Training School. Along with the training schools, the No. 6 Repair Depot was based at Trenton. During the war the relief landing field for Trenton was located at Mohawk. Trenton was home to RCAF 102 KU Flt - Central Air Command (CAC) Composite during the war. It flew Harvard, Mustang, Dakota, Expeditor, H-5.

Historical aerodrome information

In approximately 1942 the aerodrome was listed as ''RCAF Aerodrome - Trenton, Ontario'' at with a variation of 12 degrees west and elevation of . The field was listed as "all hard surfaced" and detailed four runways as follows:

1945–1990 Cold War

Following the war, Trenton became home to

transport Transport (in British English) or transportation (in American English) is the intentional Motion, movement of humans, animals, and cargo, goods from one location to another. Mode of transport, Modes of transport include aviation, air, land tr ...

and

fighter aircraft Fighter aircraft (early on also ''pursuit aircraft'') are military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat. In military conflict, the role of fighter aircraft is to establish air supremacy, air superiority of the battlespace. Domina ...

, with transport aircraft from the base taking part in the Korean Airlift, as well as numerous other missions throughout the 1950s and 1960s. On February 2, 1959, RCAF Station Trenton became the destination for

CF-105 Arrow The Avro Canada CF-105 Arrow was a delta-winged interceptor aircraft designed and built by Avro Canada. The CF-105 held the promise of Mach 2 speeds at altitudes exceeding and was intended to serve as the Royal Canadian Air Force's (R ...

25204, flying from the Avro Canada manufacturing facility at Malton Airport. A Trans-Canada Air Lines

Vickers Viscount The Vickers Viscount is a retired British medium-range turboprop airliner first flown in 1948 by Vickers-Armstrongs. A design requirement from the Brabazon Committee, it entered service in 1953 and was the first turboprop-powered airliner. T ...

had crash landed during 25204's flight, temporarily closing the runways at Malton. After World War II 102 Composite Unit became a search and rescue unit. It flew Piasecki H-42A and H-44. Canada upgraded its transport and search and rescue fleets during the 1960s when the RCAF purchased the CC-137 Husky, CC-130 Hercules, CH-113 Labrador and CC-115 Buffalo aircraft. RCAF Station Trenton became the home of training facilities for these aircraft. 102 would eventually merge into the reactivated 424 Transport and Rescue Squadron in 1968. RCAF Station Trenton was renamed Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Trenton after the February 1, 1968 merger of the RCAF with the

Royal Canadian Navy The Royal Canadian Navy (RCN; , ''MRC'') is the Navy, naval force of Canada. The navy is one of three environmental commands within the Canadian Armed Forces. As of February 2024, the RCN operates 12 s, 12 s, 4 s, 4 s, 8 s, and several auxiliary ...

and

Canadian Army The Canadian Army () is the command (military formation), command responsible for the operational readiness of the conventional ground forces of the Canadian Armed Forces. It maintains regular forces units at bases across Canada, and is also re ...

to form the

Canadian Forces The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF; , FAC) are the unified Military, military forces of Canada, including sea, land, and air commands referred to as the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Air Force. Under the ''National Defenc ...

21st century

Arrest and conviction of former base commander

CFB Trenton's former commander, David Russell Williams, was arrested in 2010, and convicted of

serial rape A serial rapist is someone who commits multiple rapes, whether with multiple victims or a single victim repeatedly over a period of time. Some serial rapists target children. The terms ''sexual predator'', ''repeat rape'' and ''multiple offending' ...

and murder in 2010; some of his crimes were committed while in command of the base.

Use as a quarantine facility for COVID-19

Due to the

COVID-19 pandemic in Canada The COVID-19 pandemic in Canada is part of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, worldwide pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (). It is caused by SARS-CoV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Most cases over the course o ...

coronavirus disease 2019 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. In January 2020, the disease spread worldwide, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic. The symptoms of COVID‑19 can vary but often include f ...

caused by

SARS-CoV-2 Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) is a strain of coronavirus that causes COVID-19, the respiratory illness responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic. The virus previously had the Novel coronavirus, provisional nam ...

that detected in

Wuhan Wuhan; is the capital of Hubei, China. With a population of over eleven million, it is the most populous city in Hubei and the List of cities in China by population, eighth-most-populous city in China. It is also one of the nine National cent ...

, China, on February 7, 2020, 215 Canadians (176 from the first plane, and 39 from a second plane chartered by the U.S. government) were repatriated from Wuhan, and brought to CFB Trenton to be

quarantine A quarantine is a restriction on the movement of people, animals, and goods which is intended to prevent the spread of disease or pests. It is often used in connection to disease and illness, preventing the movement of those who may have bee ...

d for two weeks. On February 11, another plane of repatriated Canadians (185) from Wuhan landed at CFB Trenton. On February 21, a chartered flight of 131 Canadians who were quarantined on the '' Diamond Princess'' after an outbreak on the cruise ship in Japan, and who all tested negative for the virus, were brought to CFB Trenton for additional screening before being transported by bus to NAV Centre in

Cornwall, Ontario Cornwall is a city in Eastern Ontario, Canada, situated where the provinces of Central Canada, Ontario and Quebec and the U.S. state of New York (state), New York converge. It is Ontario's easternmost city. Although it is the seat of the United ...

, to be quarantined. On March 10, a chartered flight of 228 Canadians who were on the '' Grand Princess'' after an outbreak on the cruise ship in California, and who all did not test positive for the virus, were brought to CFB Trenton for a 14-day quarantine period. By March 24, 13 positive cases for the virus of the repatriated citizens at CFB Trenton were reported.

Charges against and removal of command of current base commander

On 28 August 2023 Colonel Leif Dahl, the commander of the base and the 8th Wing, was charged by the Ontario Provincial Police with charges related to firearms and illegal hunting. On 30 August 2023, MGen Iain Huddleston, Commander, 1 Canadian Air Division, temporarily removed Col Dahl from his command.

Facilities

Heritage buildings

CFB Trenton has several recognized and classified Federal Heritage buildings on the Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings. * Administration Building 29 Recognized – 1995 * Hangars 3 Buildings 51; 5 Building 49 Recognized – 1991 * Hangars 9 B112; 10 B52 Recognized – 2004 * Hastings Hall / Officer's Quarters, Building 111 Recognized – 1995 * Headquarters Buildings 22 & 23 Recognized – 1995 * Junior Quarters, Buildings 21 & 56 Recognized – 1995 * Officer's Mess Building 38 Recognized – 1995 * VIP Private Married Quarters Building 42 Recognized – 1995

Current

The recapitalization of the northeast ramp was completed in summer 2008, and reconstruction of the southeast ramp was completed in the summer of 2009. Construction of a new air traffic control tower was completed in July 2010. The Canadian Forces Aerospace Warfare Centre is housed in a new building named after Air Marshal Clare Annis. Leed Gold Standard certification is underway from the

Canada Green Building Council The Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) was created in 2003 to further the expansion of green building in Canada. Prior to the formation of the Council, Canada had participated in the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) through British ...

. A new Material Distribution Centre opened on November 2, 2010. The $2.4-million project is an amalgamation and co-location of the Wing's Central Material Traffic Terminal of 2 Air Movement Squadron (2 Air Mov Sqn) with the material distribution centre of 8 Wing Supply. A Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (EME) and transportation garage valued at $75 million was completed in 2012.Government of Canada – Canada News Centre – "Trenton Infrastructure backgrounder"
11 September 2009. Retrieved 2011-04-20 The Air Mobility Training Centre project saw the construction of a facility that houses the equipment and personnel required to train operators and maintainers of the CC-130J Super Hercules aircraft. Building construction was completed in 2011 and operations began in 2012. The building is now located on the south side of the base across the highway from the runway.

Future

The base could host CH-149 Cormorant Search And Rescue helicopters if Canada increases the CH-149 fleet as planned.

Present operations

The RCAF operates the majority of its

fixed-wing A fixed-wing aircraft is a heavier-than-air aircraft, such as an airplane, which is capable of flight using Lift (force), aerodynamic lift. Fixed-wing aircraft are distinct from rotorcraft, rotary-wing aircraft (in which a Helicopter rotor, r ...

tactical airlift and all of its strategic airlift aircraft from CFB Trenton. The primary lodger unit of CFB Trenton is 8 Wing, which 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 A royal family is the immediate family of monarchs and sometimes their extended family. The term imperial family appropriately describes the family of an emperor or empress, and the term papal family describes the family of a pope, while th ...

(when visiting Canada), the

Prime Minister A prime minister or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. A prime minister is not the head of state, but r ...

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-130J 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 (geographically separated unit based at Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport, ON) * 440 Transport Squadron - Flying the CC-138 (geographically separated unit based at Yellowknife Airport, NT) * 2 Air Movement Squadron (2 Air Mov Sqn) * 8 Air Maintenance Squadron (8 AMS) Current Lodger Units in CFB Trenton include: * Joint Rescue Coordination Centre * Canadian Mission Control Centre * Search and Rescue Network Operations Communications Centre * Canadian Army Advanced Warfare Centre Temporary storage facilities were built at the base for the CC-177 Globemaster III. Permanent hangars (Hangar 2 and 6) were built from 2012 to 2017. CFB Trenton is also home to other RCAF lodger units independent from 8 Wing including: * Aerospace and Telecommunications Engineering Support Squadron (ATESS) - providing specialized engineering, training, and production/manufacturing in aerospace and telecommunications. Its capabilities encompass

avionics Avionics (a portmanteau of ''aviation'' and ''electronics'') are the Electronics, electronic systems used on aircraft. Avionic systems include communications, Air navigation, navigation, the display and management of multiple systems, and the ...

non-destructive testing Nondestructive testing (NDT) is any of a wide group of analysis techniques used in science and technology industry to evaluate the properties of a material, component or system without causing damage. The terms nondestructive examination (NDE), n ...

(NDT), integrated health monitoring (IHM/ HUMS), aircraft structures and more. * The Royal Canadian Air Force Aerospace Warfare Centre (RCAF AWC), the centre of excellence for air power development, including Concept Development and Experimentation (CD&E) and lessons learned. In addition, the RCAF AWC develops and maintains the Air Force air power knowledge repository and coordinates efforts to provide advanced synthetic environment and modelling and simulation services to assist CD&E, requirements definition, operational test and evaluation (OT&E) and mission rehearsal. The RCAF AWC is commanded by an RCAF Colonel. * 8 Air Communications and Control Squadron (8 ACCS) provides expeditionary communications and air traffic control capabilities under 2 Wing for the RCAF. 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 Northern Canada (), colloquially the North or the Territories, is the vast northernmost region of Canada, variously defined by geography and politics. Politically, the term refers to the three territories of Canada: Yukon, Northwest Territories a ...

. 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

also operates the Canadian Army Advanced Warfare Centre, formerly known as the Canadian Parachute Centre. In addition, the Canadian Joint Incident Response Unit (CJIRU), a CBRN capability which is part of the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command is based at CFB Trenton. In 2023, the commander of CFB Trenton and 8 Wing was Colonel Leighton James, who was sworn in as base commander on October 5, 2023. As of 2024, the CFB Trenton and 8 Wing commander is Colonel J.A. Bowser. Colonel Bowser was sworn in on July 17, 2024.

Other operations

Quinte International Air Show

In 2016, the former base commander, Colonel Colin Keiver and Chief Warrant Officer Darcy Elder, had recreated the Quinte International Air Show which had not been held since 2003. There had been plans for the

air show An air show (or airshow, air fair, air tattoo) is a public event where aircraft are trade fair, exhibited. They often include aerobatics demonstrations, without which they are called "static air shows" with aircraft parked on the ground. The ...

to be held biennially, though there had been no air show in 2018. Mark Goulden, the commander at the time of the cancellation, stated "Operations at 8 Wing Trenton is our priority, whether it be helping Canadians during disasters such as the British Columbia wildfires, delivering humanitarian aid internationally, or supplying

Canadian Armed Forces The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF; , FAC) are the unified Military, military forces of Canada, including sea, land, and air commands referred to as the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Air Force. Under the ''National Defenc ...

missions around the world. It is with these operational commitments in mind that 8 Wing Trenton has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2018 Quinte International Air Show." Throughout 2020, it was unclear whether or not there would be an air show any time in the future due to CFB Trenton being at the forefront of Canada's efforts to gain control over the COVID-19 virus. In connection with the Royal Canadian Air Force's 100th anniversary the 2024 show is ran at CFB Trenton through the

Canada Day Canada Day, formerly known as Dominion Day, is the national day of Canada. A Public holidays in Canada, federal statutory holiday, it celebrates the anniversary of Canadian Confederation which occurred on July 1, 1867, with the passing of the B ...

weekend.Quinte international Air Show
/ref>

Quinte International Air Show 2016

The 2016 air show attracted close to 80,000 visitors. The theme was the commemoration of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) with it being the 75th Anniversary since the BCATP had commenced. Aircraft from multiple air forces around the world attended including the

United States Air Force The United States Air Force (USAF) is the Air force, air service branch of the United States Department of Defense. It is one of the six United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Tracing its ori ...

Royal Air Force The Royal Air Force (RAF) is the Air force, air and space force of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. It was formed towards the end of the World War I, First World War on 1 April 1918, on the merger of t ...

and

Mexican Air Force The Mexican Air Force (FAM; ) is the air service branch of the Mexican Armed Forces. It is a component of the Mexican Army and as such overseen by the National Defense Secretariat (SEDENA). The objective of the FAM is to defend the integrity, in ...

. Some of the aircraft performing at the air show included: *

Boeing B-52 Stratofortress The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is an American long-range, subsonic aircraft, subsonic, jet-powered strategic bomber. The B-52 was designed and built by Boeing, which has continued to provide support and upgrades. It has been operated by the ...

Avro Lancaster The Avro Lancaster, commonly known as the Lancaster Bomber, is a British World War II, Second World War heavy bomber. It was designed and manufactured by Avro as a contemporary of the Handley Page Halifax, both bombers having been developed to ...

* Interstate Cadet *

Lockheed C-130 Hercules The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is an American four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built by Lockheed Corporation, Lockheed (now Lockheed Martin). Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 w ...

Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor The Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22 Raptor is an American Twinjet, twin-engine, Jet engine, jet-powered, Night fighter, all-weather, supersonic Stealth aircraft, stealth fighter aircraft. As a product of the United States Air Force's Advanced Ta ...

* McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet * North American B-25 Mitchell * North American P-51 Mustang *

North American T-6 Texan The North American Aviation T-6 Texan is an American single-engined advanced trainer aircraft, which was used to train pilots of the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF), United States Air Force (USAF), United States Navy, Royal Air Force, Ro ...

* Canadair CT-114 Tutors * Yakovlev Yak-52 and many more aircraft parked on the ramp.

Quinte International Air Show 2024

The Quinte International Air Show (QIAS) 2024 was put on to commemorate the Royal Canadian Air Force's 100 anniversary. An estimated 50,000 plus guest were present throughout the weekend. The Italian Air Force was present with their 313th Aerobatic Training Squadron. A large selection of static display aircraft were parked. Notable performers and aircraft: * Skyhawks * Snowbirds * Frecce Tricolori * McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet * Boeing CC-117 Globemaster III * Northern Stars Aeroteam *

General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon The General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is an American single-engine supersonic Multirole combat aircraft, multirole fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force (USAF). Designed as an air superio ...

CFD Mountain View

The Mountain View Detachment, a former World War II RCAF

airfield An aerodrome, airfield, or airstrip is a location from which aircraft flight operations take place, regardless of whether they involve air cargo, passengers, or neither, and regardless of whether it is for public or private use. Aerodromes in ...

located south of Belleville, is utilized as a storage and overhaul facility of older aircraft. A new gravel runway was constructed in 2006 to train

CC-130 Hercules aircraft crew in landing on unprepared landing strips. The Canadian Forces have also established a drop zone nearby. The detachment is also home to the Mountain View Cadet Flying Training Centre, cadet training centre for the Royal Canadian Air Cadets.

Trenton Cadet Training Centre

The Trenton

Cadet A cadet is a student or trainee within various organisations, primarily in military contexts where individuals undergo training to become commissioned officers. However, several civilian organisations, including civil aviation groups, maritime ...

Training Centre (CTC) is one of the oldest cadet training centres in Canada. At this CTC, there are cadet courses offered for all three elements of

Army An army, ground force or land force is an armed force that fights primarily on land. In the broadest sense, it is the land-based military branch, service branch or armed service of a nation or country. It may also include aviation assets by ...

Sea A sea is a large body of salt water. There are particular seas and the sea. The sea commonly refers to the ocean, the interconnected body of seawaters that spans most of Earth. Particular seas are either marginal seas, second-order section ...

and

Air An atmosphere () is a layer of gases that envelop an astronomical object, held in place by the gravity of the object. A planet retains an atmosphere when the gravity is great and the temperature of the atmosphere is low. A stellar atmosph ...

that are offered all year around. This portion of the base, located on the south side of the airbase, has multiple buildings for cadets to reside in during their summer training.

Other

* The National Air Force Museum of Canada is on the base. * Trenton Military VOLMET Military Aeronautical Communications System (MACS) on 6754 and 15,034 kHz USB call sign "CHR" * The base hosts a bomb disposal team.

Economic impact on Trenton community

CFB Trenton, based on statistical data from the Fiscal Year 2004–2005, had an annual population impact (Regular Force members & dependants) of 8,185. The airbase also had an estimated local spending impact (direct and indirect) of $278,195,000 for that Fiscal Year. The airbase also directly employed 3,163 people and indirectly employed 437 people.

References

* UNCLAS CANAIRGEN 025/06 (Canadian Air Force General Order)

External links

No. 8 Wing Trenton

8 Wing Community

436 (Transport) Squadron

National Air Force Museum of Canada
{{DEFAULTSORT:Trenton Canadian Forces bases in Ontario Military airbases in Ontario Airports of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan Quinte West Buildings and structures in Hastings County Quarantine facilities designated for the COVID-19 pandemic