With big changes underway at CFB Trenton, local companies will have the opportunity to contribute to the work being done.
Last year, the federal government announced a major expansion for 8 Wing as it becomes the home for a new fleet of CC-330 aircraft.
The multi-year project will see airfield and infrastructure work, including the design of a two-bay hangar for the new planes known as the Husky Fleet, making 8 Wing the Eastern Main Operating Base for the fleet.
On Friday the Quinte West Chamber of Commerce hosted a Wing Commander’s Luncheon at the 413 Wing Building in Trenton, providing information about the expansion and how local businesses can stay informed and position themselves for upcoming opportunities.
Wing Commander Colonel Andy Bowser says there is a lot of excitement over what Trenton could look like in 10 years.
The $650 million investment will have significant impacts on their ability to sustain daily operations.
Audio Player“Because that operational tempo is always steady, right? wWhether it’s like responding to the kind of daily search and rescue callouts or moving people, equipment around the world to those in need every single day, that stuff doesn’t stop. And it’s so vitally important that we kind of deconflict and we figure out how to do this smartly. And I think the plan is fantastic.”
The CC-330s were originally configured for transport but are being converted to provide the RCAF with increased flexibility to fulfill a variety of air mobility missions, including air-to-air refuelling, passenger transport, aeromedical evacuation, and strategic transport.
Todd Osmond, a Department of Defence Project Manager for the Strategic Tanker Transport Capability Project spoke about the stages of the plan.
In addition to the new hangar, there will be an upgraded apron and runway, taxiways and other supporting infrastructure and Osmond says there will be plenty of work available to local businesses.
Audio Player“Absolutely. So with the new infrastructure comes new opportunities for any contractor supplier, anyone in the local community that has a business, there would be plenty of opportunities here in the next five to ten years.”
And that’s where Defence Construction Canada (DCC) comes in.
The Crown corporation handles the contracting of construction and other work for Canada’s defence requirements.
Representative Judy Tromp outlined how local companies can get opportunities with DCC.
Jobs range from large to small, some requiring specific levels of security clearance.
And over the next few years there will be many needs for local contractors and workers.
Tromp noted there are several other projects to be undertaken at the base as well, including a $100 million plan to construct new residential housing units at CFB Trenton and other locations.
Local companies will also have the opportunity to bid on those works.
Colonel Bowser says Friday’s event was important as he relishes any chance for CFB Trenton to engage with and be a part of the community.
Audio Player“I think the base is so lucky to be located where it is located. I say this all the time, and it’s such a beautiful spot. You know I’m a pilot myself and I’ve been all over the world, and I would argue that this is one of the greatest places in the world that I’ve been to. And I love it. It’s become home for my family and I forever, so any opportunity to engage the community and bring anybody up to speed on what’s going on at the base, people deserve to know. And it feels like, you know, we’re contributing back somehow to this community that so graciously houses us.”
It will likely be 2031 before the upgrades to house the Husky Fleet are complete.
To learn more about DCC and the requirements involved to bid on contracts, click here.
