Canadian Forces Base Trenton is in for a very busy 2026.
2025 was a year of major announcements, construction getting underway, evacuations, training, and international missions.
We spoke with the Commander of 8 Wing Colonel Andy Bowser about what he anticipates over the next 12 months.
He says one main focus will be to keep the capital projects on time, as the Royal Canadian Air Force prepares to accept a new fleet of transport, cargo, and refueling planes known as the Husky Fleet (CC-330 aircraft).
“We’re expecting to get nine aircraft, eight of which are going to be configured for the air-to-air refueling role. We’ve taken on three so far back in Canada, which is great. The two that are flying are based out of Ottawa right now. Until those upgrades to our infrastructure to actually house them here are complete, they won’t be primarily based in Trenton for a few years yet.”
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Chief of Defence Staff General Carignan with 8 Wing Trenton Commander Colonel Bowser. (Photo By: Salior First Class Erin Roberts 8 Wing Imagaing)
Bowser says the plan is to have the plans start touching down in their new home in Trenton by 2027.
“The resurfacing of the landing surfaces and taxi way surfaces this year that have to stay on track, while concurrently staying on track with the hangar complex that houses the new airplanes.”
Other infrastructure projects are currently in the design phase at the base, including other new hangars and the ammo dump.
Operations supporting personnel and equipment surpassed 30-million pounds last year into Ukraine, with the mission to continue in 2026.
Operation REASSURANCE in Lativa, along with action in the Indo-Pacific, training in Australia, and Operation Christmas drop will all be on the books for the year ahead.
