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'''Canadian Forces Air Command''' ('''AIRCOM''') is the [[air force]] branch of the [[Canadian Armed Forces]]. AIRCOM is the descendant of the [[Royal Canadian Air Force|Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF)]], which was [[Canada]]'s air force from its foundation in [[1924]] until [[February 1]], [[1968]]. Prior to 1924, the [[Royal Air Force]] provided air defence for [[Canada]]. After 1968, the RCAF was merged with the Army and the [[Royal Canadian Navy]] to form the Canadian Armed Forces.
'''Canadian Forces Air Command''' ('''AIRCOM''') is the [[air force]] branch of the [[Canadian Armed Forces]]. AIRCOM is the descendant of the [[Royal Canadian Air Force|Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF)]], which was [[Canada]]'s air force from its foundation in [[1924]] until [[February 1]], [[1968]]. Prior to 1924, the [[Royal Air Force]] provided air defence for [[Canada]]. After 1968, the RCAF was merged with the Army and the [[Royal Canadian Navy]] to form the Canadian Armed Forces.



AIRCOM is responsible for all aircraft operations in the Canadian Forces, including the helicopters that serve on [[Canadian Forces Maritime Command|Maritime Command]] vessels, and the helicopter operations of the [[Canadian Forces Land Force Command|Land Force Command]].
==Mission==
AIRCOM is responsible for all aircraft operations in the Canadian Forces, enforcing Canada's airspace and provides aircraft for supporting the missions of [[Canadian Forces Maritime Command|Maritime Command]] and [[Canadian Forces Land Force Command|Land Force Command]]. AIRCOM is a partner with the [[United States Air Force]] in protecting continental airspace under the [[North American Aerospace Defence Command]] (NORAD). AIRCOM also provides all primary air resources to the [[National Search and Rescue Program]].


==History==
==History==
''For history before 1968, see [[Royal Canadian Air Force]]''
''For history before 1968, see [[Royal Canadian Air Force]]''
[[Image:Rcaf_roundel_new.png|thumb|left|100px|The CFAC Roundel is based on that of the British [[Royal Air Force]], with the central circle replaced by a maple leaf]]
[[Image:CF-18A Hornets.jpg|right|thumb|300px|CF-18A Hornets]]
[[Image:RCAF-Roundel.svg|thumb|left|100px|The CFAC Roundel is based on that of the British [[Royal Air Force]], with the central circle replaced by a maple leaf]]
Following unification on [[February 1]], [[1968]], aircraft and bases of the RCAF and the [[Royal Canadian Navy]] (the Royal Canadian Naval Aviation Service), were scattered across several different commands of the newly unified forces. In a [[1975]] Canadian Forces reorganization, AIRCOM was created to handle all aviation requirements of Canada's military.
Following unification on [[February 1]], [[1968]], aircraft and bases of the RCAF and the [[Royal Canadian Navy]] (the Royal Canadian Naval Aviation Service), were scattered across several different commands of the newly unified forces. In a [[1975]] Canadian Forces reorganization, AIRCOM was created to handle all aviation requirements of Canada's military.


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AIRCOM also underwent significant changes in the late [[1970s]] when the ''CP-107 Argus'' and ''CP-121 Tracker'' were replaced with the ''CP-140 Aurora''/''CP-142 Arcturus'' maritime patrol aircraft. The shift of east coast maritime patrol aircraft at the time of the ''Argus'' retirement to [[CFB Greenwood]] eventually saw [[CFB Summerside]] closed in the late [[1980s]].
AIRCOM also underwent significant changes in the late [[1970s]] when the ''CP-107 Argus'' and ''CP-121 Tracker'' were replaced with the ''CP-140 Aurora''/''CP-142 Arcturus'' maritime patrol aircraft. The shift of east coast maritime patrol aircraft at the time of the ''Argus'' retirement to [[CFB Greenwood]] eventually saw [[CFB Summerside]] closed in the late [[1980s]].


In the early [[1990s]], AIRCOM transport and utility helicopters in support of army ([[Canadian Forces Land Force Command]]) operations were cutback and consolidated with the purchase of the ''CH-146 Griffon'', replacing the ''CH-135 Twin Huey'', ''CH-136 Kiowa'', and ''CH-147 Chinook''. The army considers this a loss of capability still, especially with the loss of the heavy lift capability of the Chinook.
In the early [[1990s]], AIRCOM transport and utility helicopters in support of [[Canadian Forces Land Force Command|army]] operations were cutback and consolidated with the purchase of the ''CH-146 Griffon'', replacing the ''CH-135 Twin Huey'', ''CH-136 Kiowa'', and ''CH-147 Chinook''. The army considers this a loss of capability still, especially with the loss of the heavy lift capability of the Chinook.


Search and rescue squadrons have also seen new aircraft when the ''CH-149 Cormorant'' replaced the ''CH-113 Labrador'' beginning in [[2002]]. The ''CC-115 Buffalo'' short takeoff and landing fixed wing aircraft are also being replaced in the [[2000s]] with a dedicated STOL search and rescue aircraft.
Search and rescue squadrons have also seen new aircraft when the ''CH-149 Cormorant'' replaced the ''CH-113 Labrador'' beginning in [[2002]]. The ''CC-115 Buffalo'' short takeoff and landing fixed wing aircraft are also being replaced in the [[2000s]] with a dedicated STOL search and rescue aircraft.


Ship-borne anti-submarine helicopter squadrons are currently operating the 40-year old ''CH-124 Sea King'' with the new ''CH-148 Cyclone'' beginning in [[2008]]. The ''Cyclone'' is the proposed maritime version of the [[Sikorsky H-92 Superhawk]].
Ship-borne anti-submarine helicopter squadrons are currently operating the 40-year old ''CH-124 Sea King'' with the new [[Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone]] beginning in [[2008]]. The ''Cyclone'' is the proposed maritime version of the [[Sikorsky H-92 Superhawk]].


[[Image:CH-149 Cormorant.jpg|right|thumb|250px|The CH-149 ''Cormorant''.]]
[[image:Canada airforce 1.jpg|right|thumb|250px|CT-133 ''Silver Stars'' on the tarmac at 14 Wing Greenwood]]
[[Image:Sikorsky H 92.jpg|thumb|right|250px|CH-148 Cyclone]]
==Current strength==
==Current strength==
[[Image:Canadian Armed Forces Air Command badge.png|right|thumb|150px|Badge of Canadian Forces Air Command]]

Principal aircraft include:
Principal aircraft include:
* 115 McDonnell-Douglas '''[[CF-18 Hornet]]''' tactical fighter bombers
* 115 McDonnell-Douglas '''[[CF-18 Hornet]]''' tactical fighter bombers
* 18 Lockheed '''[[CP-140 Aurora]]'''/3 CP-140A 'Arcturus' long-range patrol aircraft
* 18 Lockheed '''[[CP-140 Aurora]]''' long-range patrol aircraft
* 3 Lockheed CP-140A '''Arcturus''' long-range patrol aircraft
* 28 Sikorsky '''[[H-3 Sea King|CH-124 Sea King]]''' maritime helicopters
* 27 Sikorsky '''[[H-3 Sea King|CH-124 Sea King]]''' maritime helicopters
* 15 AgustaWestland '''[[AgustaWestland EH101|CH-149 Cormorant]]''' search and rescue helicopters
* 15 AgustaWestland '''[[AgustaWestland EH101|CH-149 Cormorant]]''' search and rescue helicopters
* 86 Bell '''[[CH-146 Griffon]]''' tactical transport helicopters
* 86 Bell '''[[CH-146 Griffon]]''' tactical transport helicopters
* 32 Lockheed '''[[C-130 Hercules]]''' combat transports
* 32 Lockheed '''[[C-130 Hercules]]''' combat transports
* 5 Airbus CC-150 '''[[Airbus A310|Polaris]]''' long range transports
* 5 Airbus CC-150 '''[[Airbus A310|Polaris]]''' long range transports (2 of these have air-air refuelling capability)
* 6 de Havilland Canada CC-115 [[De Havilland Canada DHC-5 Buffalo|'Buffalo']] short range transports
* 6 de Havilland Canada CC-115 [[De Havilland Canada DHC-5 Buffalo|'''Buffalo''']] short range transports
* 6 Canadair CC-144 '[[Bombardier Challenger 600|Challenger]]' jet transports (4 VIP/2 utility)
* 6 Canadair CC-144 [[Bombardier Challenger 600|'''Challenger''']] jet transports (4 VIP/2 utility)
* 4 de Havilland Canada CC-138 '''[[De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter|Twin Otter]]''' short range transports
* 4 de Havilland Canada CC-138 '''[[De Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter|Twin Otter]]''' short range transports
* 22 [[Canadair CT-114 Tutor]] jet trainers
* 15 [[Canadair CT-114 Tutor]] jet trainers
* 24 Raytheon CT-156 'Harvard II' trainers (leased)
* 24 Raytheon CT-156 '''Harvard II''' trainers (leased)
* 21 BAE CT-155 '[[Hawker-Siddeley Hawk|Hawk]]' jet trainers (leased)
* 21 BAE CT-155 '''[[Hawker-Siddeley Hawk|Hawk]]''' jet trainers (leased)
* 4 de Havilland Canada CT-142 [[De Havilland Canada Dash 8|Dash 8]] navigation trainers
* 4 de Havilland Canada CT-142 [[De Havilland Canada Dash 8|'''Dash 8''']] navigation trainers
* 6 SAGEM CU-161 [[SAGEM Sperwer|'''Sperwer''']] Drone/UAV


Aircraft on order include:
Aircraft on order include:


* 28 Sikorsky '''[[Sikorsky H-92 Superhawk|CH-148 Cyclone]]''' (''to be delivered in [[2008]])''
* 28 Sikorsky '''[[Sikorsky H-92 Superhawk|CH-148 Cyclone]]''' (''to be delivered in [[2008]])''

==Fighter and Patrol Aircraft==
<gallery>
Image:McDonnell-Douglas CF-18A Hornet.jpg|CF-18A Hornet
Image:McDonnell CF-101B Voodoo.jpg|CF-101 Voodoo
Image:Canada CP-140 Aurora.jpg|CP-140 Aurora
</gallery>

==Helicopters==
<gallery>
Image:Canada Cormorant.jpg|CH-149 Cormorant
Image:CH-146 Griffon.jpg|CH-146 Griffon
Image:Canada Sea King.jpg|CH-124 Sea King
Image:Sikorsky H 92.jpg|CH-148 Cyclone
</gallery>

==Transport Aircraft==
<gallery>
Image:Canada CC-130 Hercules.jpg|CC-130 Hercules
Image:Airbus CC-150 Polaris.jpg|CC-150 Polaris
Image:Canadair CC-144 Challenger.jpg|CC-144 Challenger
</gallery>

==Search and Rescue==
<gallery>
Image:Canada CH-113 Labrador.jpg|CH-113 Labrador
Image:Bell CH-146 Griffon.jpg|CH-146 Griffon
Image:Canada CC-115 Buffalo.jpg|CC-115 Buffalo
Image:Canada DHC-6-300 Twin Otter.jpg|CC-138 Twin Otter
</gallery>

==Trainer Aircraft==
<gallery>
Image:British Aerospace Hawk CT-155.jpg|CT-155 Hawk
Image:Canadair CT-114 Tutor.jpg|CT-114 Tutor
Image:CT-156 Harvard II.jpg|CT-156 Harvard
Image:Canada airforce 1.jpg|CT-133 Silver Stars
</gallery>


==Bases==
==Bases==
[[Image:Canadian Armed Forces Air Command badge.png|left|thumb|100px|Badge of the Canadian Forces Air Command]]
[[Image:Goose bay aerial.jpg|right|250px|thumb|[[CFB Goose Bay|5 Wing Goose Bay]], Labrador]]
[[Image:CFB Shearwater aerial.jpg|right|250px|thumb|[[12 Wing Shearwater]], Nova Scotia]]
Today, maritime patrol aircraft are based at [[14 Wing Greenwood]] on the east coast and [[19 Wing Comox]] on the west coast. SAR squadrons are based at [[9 Wing Gander]], [[14 Wing Greenwood]], [[8 Wing Trenton]] and [[19 Wing Comox]]. Transport and utility helicopters are based at [[1 Wing Kingston]], [[CFB Gagetown]], [[CFB Goose Bay|5 Wing Goose Bay]], [[CFB Valcartier]], [[CFB Petawawa]], [[3 Wing Bagotville]] and [[4 Wing Cold Lake]]. Transport and VIP aircraft are based at [[8 Wing Trenton]], [[17 Wing Winnipeg]], [[4 Wing Cold Lake]] and [[14 Wing Greenwood]]. Interceptor/tactical aircraft are based at [[4 Wing Cold Lake]] and [[3 Wing Bagotville]] with major low-level flying and bombing ranges for interceptor/tactical aircraft supported at 4 Wing Cold Lake and 5 Wing Goose Bay. Maritime helicopters are based at [[12 Wing Shearwater]] and at [[Victoria International Airport|Patricia Bay]].
[[Image:CFB Cold Lake.jpg|right|thumb|250px|[[CFB Cold Lake|4 Wing Cold Lake]], Alberta]]
<br><br>

<b>Command and Control</b><br>
Maritime patrol aircraft are based at:
The Commander of Air Command and the Chief of the Air Staff, Lieutenant-General Lucas, located at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa, commands and provides strategic direction for the Air Force. <br><br>The Commander of 1 Canadian Air Division and Canadian NORAD Region, MGen J.J.C. (Charlie) Bouchard is based in Winnipeg. He is responsible for the operational command and control of Air Force activities throughout Canada and world-wide.
* [[14 Wing Greenwood]] on the east coast
<br><br>
* [[19 Wing Comox]] on the west coast
<b>Personnel</b><br>

[[Search and rescue|SAR]] squadrons are based at:
* [[Gander International Airport|9 Wing Gander]] - [[103 Search and Rescue Squadron CFAC|103 Squadron]]
* [[14 Wing Greenwood]]
* [[8 Wing Trenton]]
* [[19 Wing Comox]]

Transport and utility helicopters are based at:
* [[CFB Borden]]
* [[CFB Gagetown]]
* [[CFB Goose Bay|5 Wing Goose Bay]]
* [[CFB Valcartier]]
* [[CFB Petawawa]]
* [[CFB Edmonton]]
* [[St. Hubert]]
* [[3 Wing Bagotville]]
* [[4 Wing Cold Lake]]

Transport and VIP aircraft are based at:
* [[8 Wing Trenton]]
* [[17 Wing Winnipeg]]
* [[4 Wing Cold Lake]]
* [[14 Wing Greenwood]]

Interceptor/tactical aircraft are based at:
* [[4 Wing Cold Lake]]
* [[3 Wing Bagotville]]
with major low-level flying and bombing ranges for interceptor/tactical aircraft supported at [[4 Wing Cold Lake]] and [[CFB Goose Bay|5 Wing Goose Bay]].

Maritime helicopters are based at:
* [[12 Wing Shearwater]]
* [[Victoria International Airport|Patricia Bay]]

==Command and Control==
The Commander of Air Command and the Chief of the Air Staff, Lieutenant-General Lucas, located at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa, commands and provides strategic direction for the Air Force. <br><br>The Commander of 1 Canadian Air Division and Canadian NORAD Region, MGen J.J.C. (Charlie) Bouchard, [[Order of Military Merit (Canada)|OMM]], [[Canadian Forces Decoration|CD]], is based in Winnipeg. He is responsible for the operational command and control of Air Force activities throughout Canada and world-wide.

==Personnel==
Regular Force personnel: 14,500<br>
Regular Force personnel: 14,500<br>
Reserve Force: 2,600<br>
Reserve Force: 2,600<br>
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[[Category:Canadian Forces Air Command| ]]
[[Category:Canadian Forces Air Command| ]]
{{Canadian Armed Forces}}
{{Canadian Armed Forces}}

[[de:Canadian Forces Air Command]]

Revision as of 23:08, 27 February 2006

Canadian Forces Air Command (AIRCOM) is the air force branch of the Canadian Armed Forces. AIRCOM is the descendant of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), which was Canada's air force from its foundation in 1924 until February 1, 1968. Prior to 1924, the Royal Air Force provided air defence for Canada. After 1968, the RCAF was merged with the Army and the Royal Canadian Navy to form the Canadian Armed Forces.


Mission

AIRCOM is responsible for all aircraft operations in the Canadian Forces, enforcing Canada's airspace and provides aircraft for supporting the missions of Maritime Command and Land Force Command. AIRCOM is a partner with the United States Air Force in protecting continental airspace under the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD). AIRCOM also provides all primary air resources to the National Search and Rescue Program.

History

For history before 1968, see Royal Canadian Air Force

File:CF-18A Hornets.jpg
CF-18A Hornets
The CFAC Roundel is based on that of the British Royal Air Force, with the central circle replaced by a maple leaf

Following unification on February 1, 1968, aircraft and bases of the RCAF and the Royal Canadian Navy (the Royal Canadian Naval Aviation Service), were scattered across several different commands of the newly unified forces. In a 1975 Canadian Forces reorganization, AIRCOM was created to handle all aviation requirements of Canada's military.

Duplication saw several base closings through the 1970s-1990s, largely as aircraft changes took place. The acquisition of the CF-188A/B Hornet tactical fighter bomber saw CF-104 Starfighter and CF-101 Voodoo fighter aircraft retired in the early-mid 1980s, along with a corresponding downturn in several bases which had been exclusively dedicated to these aircraft. The closures of CFB Chatham and CFB Baden Soellingen along with various bombing ranges and the retirement of the CF-116 fighter aircraft and Boeing 707 transport/refuelling aircraft saw AIRCOM retract to its present base and force structure.

AIRCOM also underwent significant changes in the late 1970s when the CP-107 Argus and CP-121 Tracker were replaced with the CP-140 Aurora/CP-142 Arcturus maritime patrol aircraft. The shift of east coast maritime patrol aircraft at the time of the Argus retirement to CFB Greenwood eventually saw CFB Summerside closed in the late 1980s.

In the early 1990s, AIRCOM transport and utility helicopters in support of army operations were cutback and consolidated with the purchase of the CH-146 Griffon, replacing the CH-135 Twin Huey, CH-136 Kiowa, and CH-147 Chinook. The army considers this a loss of capability still, especially with the loss of the heavy lift capability of the Chinook.

Search and rescue squadrons have also seen new aircraft when the CH-149 Cormorant replaced the CH-113 Labrador beginning in 2002. The CC-115 Buffalo short takeoff and landing fixed wing aircraft are also being replaced in the 2000s with a dedicated STOL search and rescue aircraft.

Ship-borne anti-submarine helicopter squadrons are currently operating the 40-year old CH-124 Sea King with the new Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone beginning in 2008. The Cyclone is the proposed maritime version of the Sikorsky H-92 Superhawk.

Current strength

File:Canadian Armed Forces Air Command badge.png
Badge of Canadian Forces Air Command

Principal aircraft include:

  • 115 McDonnell-Douglas CF-18 Hornet tactical fighter bombers
  • 18 Lockheed CP-140 Aurora long-range patrol aircraft
  • 3 Lockheed CP-140A Arcturus long-range patrol aircraft
  • 27 Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King maritime helicopters
  • 15 AgustaWestland CH-149 Cormorant search and rescue helicopters
  • 86 Bell CH-146 Griffon tactical transport helicopters
  • 32 Lockheed C-130 Hercules combat transports
  • 5 Airbus CC-150 Polaris long range transports (2 of these have air-air refuelling capability)
  • 6 de Havilland Canada CC-115 Buffalo short range transports
  • 6 Canadair CC-144 Challenger jet transports (4 VIP/2 utility)
  • 4 de Havilland Canada CC-138 Twin Otter short range transports
  • 15 Canadair CT-114 Tutor jet trainers
  • 24 Raytheon CT-156 Harvard II trainers (leased)
  • 21 BAE CT-155 Hawk jet trainers (leased)
  • 4 de Havilland Canada CT-142 Dash 8 navigation trainers
  • 6 SAGEM CU-161 Sperwer Drone/UAV

Aircraft on order include:

Fighter and Patrol Aircraft

Helicopters

Transport Aircraft

Search and Rescue

Trainer Aircraft

Bases

File:Goose bay aerial.jpg
5 Wing Goose Bay, Labrador
File:CFB Shearwater aerial.jpg
12 Wing Shearwater, Nova Scotia
File:CFB Cold Lake.jpg
4 Wing Cold Lake, Alberta

Maritime patrol aircraft are based at:

SAR squadrons are based at:

Transport and utility helicopters are based at:

Transport and VIP aircraft are based at:

Interceptor/tactical aircraft are based at:

with major low-level flying and bombing ranges for interceptor/tactical aircraft supported at 4 Wing Cold Lake and 5 Wing Goose Bay.

Maritime helicopters are based at:

Command and Control

The Commander of Air Command and the Chief of the Air Staff, Lieutenant-General Lucas, located at National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa, commands and provides strategic direction for the Air Force.

The Commander of 1 Canadian Air Division and Canadian NORAD Region, MGen J.J.C. (Charlie) Bouchard, OMM, CD, is based in Winnipeg. He is responsible for the operational command and control of Air Force activities throughout Canada and world-wide.

Personnel

Regular Force personnel: 14,500
Reserve Force: 2,600
Civilians: 2,500

External link

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Royal_Canadian_Air_Force&oldid=41525162"