The unification of the Canadian Armed Forces took place on 1 February 1968, when the Royal Canadian Navy , Canadian Army , and Royal Canadian Air Force were merged to form the Canadian Armed Forces .
31-613: 3rd Canadian Division Support Base Edmonton , formerly known as and commonly referred to as CFB Edmonton is a Canadian Forces base in Sturgeon County adjacent to the City of Edmonton in Alberta , Canada. It is also known as Edmonton Garrison or "Steele Barracks". The history of CFB Edmonton begins at an airfield called Blatchford Field , a few kilometres south from where CFB Edmonton would eventually be established. The airfield
62-469: A 148 ft × 492 ft (45 m × 150 m) section of 03/21 used by helicopters. In 2010–2011, Government of Canada announced the construction of new facilities for visiting Canadian Armed Forces members training at CFB Edmonton (3rd Canadian Division Support Base Edmonton (3 CDSB)). These units are headquartered at CFB Edmonton: The principal function of the CFB Edmonton today
93-653: A maximum of eight per day, but fewer for misbehaviour. In 2018 the number of inmates had declined, and the 25-cell prison sat empty most of the time. [REDACTED] Media related to CFB Edmonton at Wikimedia Commons Canadian Forces base Too Many Requests If you report this error to the Wikimedia System Administrators, please include the details below. Request from 172.68.168.237 via cp1104 cp1104, Varnish XID 205666617 Upstream caches: cp1104 int Error: 429, Too Many Requests at Thu, 28 Nov 2024 07:59:38 GMT Unification of
124-564: A new Air Command on 2 September 1975. This effectively restored a unified air force within the Armed Forces. The government of Brian Mulroney (1984–93) took steps which restored more traditional and distinct army, navy and air force uniforms to the Canadian Armed Forces, though the unified structure of the Armed Forces was maintained. Materiel Command was disbanded during the 1980s, and Communications Command
155-405: Is at Steele Barracks (named for Sir Sam Steele ) just north of the city. The area formerly known as CFB Griesbach within the city itself is no longer operational. All buildings and land having been sold and are no longer Crown assets. The final closure was announced by Minister MacKay in 2012. The base as a collective is an important part of the community surrounding Edmonton and is home to some of
186-591: Is sometimes seen as a fault in the Canadian Forces. Many veterans objected to unification and sometimes referred to branches of the military by their pre-unification titles. In 2013 the traditional designation of "Royal" was restored to several of the branches listed above. Over the ensuing decades, many of the elements of unification were incrementally reversed. The Communication Command was established on 1 September 1970. Air Defence Command and Air Transport Command disbanded and their assets transferred to
217-415: Is to field a general purpose combat-effective mechanized brigade group, or any portion thereof, ready for deployment to a minimal-intensity battlefield in accordance with assigned tasks. CFB Edmonton is the headquarters of 3rd Canadian Division , the highest army authority in western Canada, and 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (1 CMBG), the only Regular Force brigade group in the region. The base
248-601: The National Defence Act in 2014, exist as commands within the unified Canadian Armed Forces. Officers' insignia was also changed during this period of name restorations, to match the distinctive insignia worn by the three branches of the pre-unification era. The navy added the executive curl to their gold bars and reintroduced naval sleeve insignia for flag officers. The army abandoned the CF-style bars for pre-unification pips and crowns insignia, substituting
279-777: The "Gateway to the North". During the Second World War , Blatchford Field became a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) training station under the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan . No. 16 Elementary Flying Training School (No. 16 EFTS) and No. 2 Air Observers School (No. 2 AOS) used the aerodrome. The RCAF also ran No. 4 Initial Training School (No. 4 ITS) which was a ground school at the University of Alberta . No. 16 EFTS closed in 1942 and No. 2 AOS closed in 1944. After No. 2 AOS closed,
310-606: The "new" RCAF Station Namao . Blatchford Field was turned over to the Edmonton municipal government and became the commercial Edmonton City Centre (Blatchford Field) Airport . During the Cold War , RCAF Station Namao was used by the United States Strategic Air Command , which constructed a "Nose Dock" capable of servicing the nose and wings of heavy jet bombers and tankers on the south side of
341-459: The Canadian Armed Forces were placed under a new command known as Air Command. Most of the pre-unification corps that had been created in the early 20th century were disbanded or were merged with counterparts in the navy and air force to form the personnel branches of the CF. The move toward unification, as well as other budget and cost-cutting moves during the 1980s and 1990s were opposed by many and
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#1732780778658372-615: The Canadian Forces A white paper was tabled in the Parliament of Canada on 26 March 1964 by the Minister of National Defence , Paul Hellyer , and the Associate Minister of National Defence , Lucien Cardin . This document outlined a major restructuring of the three separate armed services, describing a reorganization that would include the integration of operations, logistics support, personnel, and administration of
403-617: The U.S. defence of Alaska , as well as a major waypoint of the Northwest Staging Route supplying equipment and aircraft to the Soviet military . Aircraft had to be ferried and transport aircraft used the aerodrome to support the construction of the Alaska Highway . Air traffic increased significantly and flying activities were becoming hazardous. Since the old airfield could not be expanded because of its proximity to
434-527: The airfield. The station also hosted the Edmonton Rescue Coordination Centre , and served as home base for United Nations Food Aid flights, delivering aid to Ethiopia , Somalia , and Bosnia . Because Namao at that time had a 4,200-metre (13,780 ft) runway, 12/30, it was designated an emergency Space Shuttle landing site by NASA . In 1968, when Canada's armed force branches were amalgamated , RCAF Station Namao
465-655: The base were deployed to Kandahar , Afghanistan, as part of the Canadian Forces command takeover in that area as well. Units from Edmonton were also deployed on domestic operations such as to assist with the Red River Flood in 1997 (where the entire 1 CMBG was deployed) and, more recently, as a part of Operation Peregrine in response to the forest fires in British Columbia in 2003. Units from CFB Edmonton were also deployed on numerous peacekeeping operations, including to Bosnia and Kosovo , among others. At
496-683: The city of Edmonton, the U.S. Government built a new air facility at Namao , about 11 km (6.8 mi) north of the city. The United States Army Corps of Engineers built two runways at the base, 03/21 and 12/30, both 2,100 m (6,890 ft) long and Canada's longest at the time. The Americans ran the Namao airfield until the end of the war when the Canadian Government took it over. With time, RCAF Station Edmonton also developed severe limitations at Blatchford, and on 1 October 1955 all RCAF Squadrons and support units were transferred to
527-479: The commands of the former services were eliminated and new unified commands were created. Army personnel and equipment were placed under an entity known as Mobile Command (later renamed Land Force Command). Navy personnel and ships were placed under Maritime Command. Personnel and aircraft of the former Royal Canadian Air Force were divided between Mobile Command, Maritime Command, Air Defence Command, Air Transport Command, and Training Command. In 1975 all aircraft of
558-608: The end of March 2010 there were 4,237 regular military , 905 reserve Class A, B, and C forces, and 665 civilian workers at CFB Edmonton. CFB Edmonton has around one-third of the Canadian army's fighting power. In February 2012, it was reported that the Alberta Government had been in contact with the federal government and military officials in Ottawa and Edmonton over the use of the runway for MEDIVAC flights with
589-630: The flexibility to enable Canada to meet in the most effective manner the military requirements of the future. It will also establish Canada as an unquestionable leader in the field of military organization." However, the serving Liberal ministers of the Crown were accused of not caring for the traditions behind each individual service, especially as the long-standing navy, army, and air force identities were replaced with common army-style ranks and rifle green uniforms. Rather than loyalty to each service, which, as military historian Jack Granatstein put it,
620-590: The most prestigious and experienced units in the Canadian Military. The 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry , along with elements of Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) and 1 Combat Engineer Regiment (all part of 1 CMBG) were chosen to be a part of Canada's military response to the September 11, 2001 attacks and were deployed on combat operations to Afghanistan (including Operation Anaconda ) in 2001 and 2002. Units from
651-496: The planned closure of Edmonton City Centre Airport . Alberta Deputy Premier Doug Horner said that he had spoken with the Minister of National Defence , Peter MacKay , and the Minister of Public Works , Rona Ambrose for further discussion. It was ultimately decided to operate all medical flights out of a purpose-built facility at the Edmonton International Airport . On June 7, 2013, the base hosted
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#1732780778658682-829: The raising of a rainbow flag to kick off Edmonton Pride , the first time that the flag was flown on a Canadian military base. CFB Edmonton also participated in Operation Unifier in Ukraine , 2015–2016. In August 2016 CFB Edmonton troops joined the NATO mission in Poland , Operation Reassurance .< CFB Edmonton is also the location for Canada's only military prison . The prison hosts all military offenders serving disciplinary sentences longer than 14 days. Prisoners are forbidden to speak with other inmates, smoke or have visitors until they earn 112 marks, which are given out at
713-416: The royal designation, and to indicate that it respected Canada's military heritage. The unified command structure of the Canadian Armed Forces was not altered by this change. Unlike the situation prior to 1968 where the services existed as separate legal entities, the current Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army, and Royal Canadian Air Force have no separate legal status and, under terms of amendments made to
744-491: The separate branches under a functional command system. The proposal met with strong opposition from personnel in all three services, and resulted in the dismissal of the navy's senior operational commander, Rear Admiral William Landymore , as well as the forced retirements of other senior officers in the nation's military forces. The protests of service personnel and their superiors had no effect, however, and on 1 February 1968, Bill C-243, The Canadian Forces Reorganization Act,
775-555: The station formally became known as RCAF Station Edmonton . Many RCAF squadrons and units were located here, including a survival school and the RCAF Winter Experimental Establishment (WEE). A United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) B-29 bomber detachment also used the station. During the war, the airfield was a major factor in supporting the Allies of World War II , becoming a staging point for
806-629: The three environmental commands of the Canadian Armed Forces were renamed to reflect the names of the original historical armed services. Air Command was changed to the Royal Canadian Air Force; Maritime Command was changed to the Royal Canadian Navy; and Land Force Command was changed to the Canadian Army. The government made the changes to align Canada with other key Commonwealth countries whose militaries use
837-457: Was "vital for sailors, soldiers, and airmen and women" who "risk their lives to serve," Hellyer wanted loyalty to the new, all-encompassing Canadian Armed Forces (CAF); this, it was said, caused damage to the esprit de corps for sailors, soldiers, air crew and other personnel. As part of unification, the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Army, and the Royal Canadian Air Force were merged and lost their status as separate legal entities. Most of
868-748: Was disbanded during a mid-1990s reorganization, with its units merged into the Defence Information Services Organization (DISO), later renamed Information Management Group (IM Gp). Mobile Command was also renamed at this time, becoming Land Force Command (LFC). On 1 February 2006, the CF added four operational commands to the existing structure: Canada Command (CANCOM), Canadian Expeditionary Force Command (CEFCOM), Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM), and Canadian Operational Support Command (CANOSCOM). In 2012 CANCOM, CEFCOM and CANOSCOM were merged into Canadian Joint Operations Command . On 16 August 2011
899-461: Was established in 1927 as a private and commercial interest by bush pilots , with support from the Mayor of Edmonton , airfield namesake Kenny Blatchford , opening a few months after he ended his term as mayor with his election as a Member of Parliament representing the city. The airfield became important to the opening up and development of the Canadian north, while also cementing Edmonton's place as
930-416: Was granted royal assent , and the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Army, and the Royal Canadian Air Force were combined into one service: the Canadian Armed Forces. The public explanation for the reorganization was that unification would achieve cost savings and provide improved command, control, and integration of the military forces. Hellyer stated on 4 November 1966 that "the amalgamation... will provide
961-536: Was redesignated Canadian Forces Base Edmonton (Lancaster Park) and was under command of the new Air Transport Command and later Air Command . Federal Government budget cuts forced the command of the air station to be transferred to the Canadian Forces Land Force Command in 1994. CFB Edmonton (Lancaster Park)/18 Wing Edmonton was redesignated CFB Edmonton . Although both runways are still visible they are no longer in use except for