2020 has been an unprecedentedly busy time here at the Wing. The civilian and military members of 8 Wing/CFB Trenton surpassed expectations in delivering upon our missions. Whether it was the repatriation of Canadian citizens, responding to the global pandemic, executing Search and Rescue (SAR) missions or the multitude of missions supporting Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) operations here at home and abroad, our members shouldered more than their share of the load. Our ability to execute our responsibilities epitomizes team accomplishment incorporating integral and lodger units alike, with our diverse group of civilian and military personnel.
To provide context, 8 Wing is Canada’s largest Royal Canadian Air Force base consisting of 12 integral units and 25 lodger units, providing Air Mobility and SAR air effects and combat capable forces to conduct and support the full spectrum of operations wherever, and whenever they are required in support of the Government of Canada.
The mission of 8 Wing seems relatively straight forward, sending aircraft and aircrew to different parts of the world. However this would be impossible without impressive logistics, planning, support and financial capabilities to guarantee operations on a 24/7 basis! At 8 Wing/CFB Trenton, we have 45 different aircraft across 7 different fleets. At any given time, there are generally 14-15 aircraft from 8 Wing Trenton operating somewhere in the world in support of CAF operations. In 2020 8 Wing moved 6,000,000 lbs of cargo around the world in support of CAF operations. We currently have approximately 60 members deployed around the world, which is on top of hundreds are supporting missions here in Canada and providing sustainment world-wide throughout the holiday period.
8 Wing/CFB Trenton is an integral part of our local communities. We have approximately 5,000 military and civilian members at the base. Our families live, work, go to school and volunteer in our local communities. 8 Wing/CFB Trenton has an annual payroll of over $110 Million and a direct and indirect benefit to the region of over $400 Million per year.
8 Wing/CFB Trenton is consistently one of the top donors to United Way Hastings & Prince Edward with our annual Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign. Noting that our local communities were going through unprecedented challenges we went the extra mile this year, despite the challenge we had in organizing charitable events. The members of the 8 Wing/CFB Trenton team have greatly surpassed my initial goal of $108,000; the final total will be announced in January 2021.
Early in 2020 8 Wing/CFB Trenton was tasked with supporting Op GLOBE, the CAF’s support to a Whole of Government operation to repatriate Canadians from abroad in a safe and dignified manner. 8 Wing/CFB Trenton was the location chosen for the quarantine and the base requested to support both the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Red Cross in the execution of this mission. Over the course of Op GLOBE, we received over 870 personnel, many of whom stayed here in CFB Trenton, with others being quarantined in Cornwall at the NAV Centre. The success of this operation was due to the exceptional coordination and collaboration with our partners and the professionalism and leadership of 8 Wing/CFB Trenton members by processing and providing real life support for large numbers of people. Perhaps most importantly, we had the support of our great community and our community leaders who showed calm resolve throughout.
8 Wing/CFB Trenton was subsequently tasked to support Op LASER, the implementation of new policies and procedures aimed at protecting our personnel (our families and communities included), maintaining operational capabilities, and limiting the spread of COVID-19.
8 Wing/CFB Trenton personnel serving on OP LASER (including 440 Squadron based in Yellowknife and 412 Squadron based in Ottawa) have provided support to sustainment missions around the world. This includes support to Canadian Ranger patrols in the North West Territories, Nunavut and northern Quebec as well as supplying northern and remote communities with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for front-line workers to mitigate the potential spread of the pandemic into areas with limited medical support and infrastructure.
These same 8 Wing/CFB Trenton members have been supporting our other government partners in transporting essential PPE across Canada, receiving and delivering core supplies from locations around the world into the hands of our Canadian front-line workers. Some health care providers from Canadian Forces Health Services here at 8 Wing/CFB Trenton were also deployed to assist in Long Term Care Facilities in Ontario, supporting some of our most vulnerable population.
Some of our units, 8 Air Maintenance Squadrons and the Aerospace and Telecommunications Engineering Support Squadron (ATESS) produced medical grade face shields and non-medical face masks that support both military and community members in the conduct of their daily duties.
While delivering on Op GLOBE and Op LASER, our personnel continued their efforts to support the full spectrum of operations expected by the CAF and the Government of Canada. For instance, essential life-line sustainment missions to Canadian Forces Station Alert were carried out in the month of April and May and again in September (Op BOXTOP) – all under the new procedures implemented to protect crews and communities. Search and Rescue (SAR) operations were executed without fail, understanding that Canadians rely on the tireless efforts of 424 Transport and Rescue Squadron. 2020 was no exception, our SAR personnel responding to more than 238 missions.
On May 6th, 8 Wing/CFB Trenton provided a respectful and dignified repatriation and ramp ceremony to honour our fallen members from a CH148 Cyclone helicopter crash into the Ionian Sea off the coast of Greece on the 30th of April. The solemn ceremony paid tribute to Captain Kevin Hagen, Captain Brenden Ian MacDonald, Captain Maxime Miron-Morin, Sub-Lieutenant Abbigail Cowbrough, Sub-Lieutenant Matthew Pyke, and Master Corporal Matthew Cousins. While the COVID-19 environment forced us to adjust the ceremony to respect physical distancing and wear face masks, it did not diminish the dignity and sanctity of the ceremony.
We also transported Captain Jennifer Casey, the Public Affairs Officer for the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, home to Halifax on May 24th for her memorial ceremony, following the CT-114 Tutor crash in Kamloops, BC.
From the SAR missions, air mobility sustainment domestically and internationally, and missions in support of the defence of Canada, 8 Wing delivered, despite these challenging times. The immense pride in each and every member of this Base and Wing, guarantee that we will be here and ready to support whatever call the government of Canada has for our members. I am especially proud of our aircrew, maintainers, kitchen staff, cleaners, operations and support personnel who have ensured we are continually ready to answer whatever the call may be and remain the mainstay of strategic air mobility for the Canadian Armed Forces.
As we reflect on 2020, I want to acknowledge all those that have supported 8 Wing/CFB Trenton, our communities, and all Canadians during the pandemic. Thank you, you are making a difference. A special note of gratitude to all of our frontline workers and those working in the health services profession!
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