Canada’s Air Expeditionary Wing: CFB Bagotville
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Canada’s Air Force currently has a traditional structure based around air wings. The inauguration of Mission Support Squadrons of self-sustaining logistics teams has begun to change that, and Canada has taken another step toward more modern concepts with the formation of an Air Expeditionary Wing (AEW) at CFB Bagotville, Quebec. Bagotville is currently home to 3 Wing, and one of only 2 CF-18 fighter bases in Canada (the other is Cold Lake, Alberta).
Planes will not be shifted; this is a personnel and command move. The new AEW will be composed of a Command Element, an Operations Support Flight, and a Mission Support Flight. It will train together and deploy as a self-contained unit from CFB Bagotville in Quebec, with aircraft and personnel tailored to the specific requirements of an operation. A fully staffed and properly supported expeditionary wing will require a total of up to 550 personnel with associated investments in infrastructure and equipment estimated at up to C$ 300 million (currently about $285 million) between 2008 – 2015.
See also: July 20 DND announcement | The Hon. Gordon O’Connor’s speaking notes for the ceremony.
