The Department of National Defence (DND) is in negotiations with the Edmonton International Airport (YEG) to formalize an agreement for the location of the new Main Operating Base-West (MOB-West) for the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) CC-330 Husky fleet.
In March 2024, the DND confirmed 8 Wing Trenton, Ont., as its MOB-East location for the Strategic Tanker Transport Capability fleet and provided $850 million to design a two-bay hangar and upgrade the apron, runway, taxiways and other supporting infrastructure.
The department has yet to name a primary forward operating location in the North.
Under a $3.6 billion contract with Airbus Defence and Space, announced in July 2023, the RCAF is acquiring four new A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft and will also convert four of five recently acquired used A330-200 aircraft to the MRTT configuration.
The nine aircraft, designated the CC-330 Husky, are replacing the RCAF fleet of five CP-150 Polaris aircraft, two of which are configured for tanking.
The Air Force has begun receiving the CC-330s in their commercial configuration for transport missions. The first MRTT configured aircraft is expected to begin operations in 2027, and the RCAF is anticipating reaching initial operational capability for the fleet in 2028-2029.
The nine Huskies will be split between the two MOB locations.
The new MOB-West location is expected to include a hangar, operations, maintenance, logistics/warehousing, and training and administrative spaces to support RCAF operations for the CC-330 Husky aircraft.
The MRTT investment is part of Canada’s $38.6 billion North American Aerospace Defense (NORAD) Modernization Plan, announced in June 2022, which represents the most significant upgrade to Canada’s NORAD capabilities in almost four decades.
The DND said it will be completing further due diligence activities, environmental reviews, site studies, and land value assessment activities in the coming months for the MOB-West location before taking the final step of formalizing an agreement with the Edmonton International Airport. The related project scope and cost estimates will also be finalized once negotiations conclude.
“The Main Operating Base – West for Canada’s CC-330 Husky fleet enables the RCAF to better support its commitments to NORAD and will be key to enabling the RCAF to secure our Arctic airspace,” stated RCAF Commander LGen Eric Kenny.
“The CC-330 Husky will provide the RCAF with increased flexibility to fulfill a variety of air mobility missions in support of operations and training activities within Canada, as part of NORAD, its Arctic region, and around the world. The CC-330 Husky provides the Canadian Armed Forces with a modern air-to-air refuelling, passenger transport, aeromedical evacuation, and strategic transport of Government of Canada officials, that is reflective of a fifth-generation air and space force.”
Why not Cold Lake?
As ex NORAD RADAR SGT , VERY SATISFIED RCAF IS ON THE RISE. WAS ON PINETREE LINE,,, BEST YEARS OF MY LIFE …
CFB Cold Lake is a Fighter base . Facilities are unsuitable for the Huskeys. As a MMTT the 330s will be employed as both a tanker and a transport. Basing near the Edmonton garrison will better facilitate the transition aspect. The tanking aspect will be done largely away from the aerodrome in CFB Cold Lake. Also it’s mid point between Cold Lake and Comox.Tanking will also be,available for the new CPs and the Globemasters.
Happy to see these aircraft are going out west, and not going to be stationed in Quebec
Transport is a part of the equation and CFB Edmonton is a better spot than Cold Lake (or any other westerrn Airport) with the PPCLI and other army regiments station there. More support population and infrastructure as these are “Tankers” and the fuel is made in Edmonton refineries and a short hop to the international to top up the CC-330’s.
Edmonton is the perfect spot. Aviation fuel is made in the Edmonton refineries and CFB Edmonton is on the North Side which houses the PPCLI and other army regiments. Suits both capabilities for Air Re-fueling and troop transport.
exellent choice. edmonton is the gateway to the north after all.It just makes so much sense.Bravo…
Was there ever an RFP/Q issued for these new aircraft, or is this a sole source contract with Airbus?
I believe so but only one aircraft qualified. The KC-46 didn’t make the cup. KC-10 and KC-135 are being retired. The Airbus MRTT is by far the best aircraft available on the market and offers more flexibility mission wise.
Sad that the government didn’t have the foresight to keep the airbase it had in Edmonton. I believe that runway was an emergency runway for the NASA’s space shuttle.
But Trudeau will want one (2) for his personal transport, I think they should use the lear jets for him of a twin otter
Missing from this article is the past Liberal government’s decision to shut down Namao airbase on the north side of Edmonton. It hosted RCAF Hercules, Buffalo’s, Twin Otters, Chinooks and had an enormous 12,000 ft runway. It was perfectly suited to host MRTT’s.
Instead, the Liberal’s contempt for our military wasted an incredibly valuable asset, and the RCAF must now beg to use a civilian airport.
If only with had a military air base in Edmonton, silly me, we closed the runways. Shouldn’t have any problems finding volunteers to get posted there. I could see potential for an Air Reserve unit there.
I am pleased that DND will support their airlift in Edmonton. I would assume the trials to operate fixed wing aircraft into CFB Edmonton may of had some input into this decision.
Cold Lake has for years requested A2A refueling assets be based closer to the CF-18’s (then CF-35’s). CC130T and CC150’s were too far away for reasonable response times.
Since Cold Lake is a fighter base, retention and housing becomes a big consideration in this as well. Leduc area and Edmonton South will be able to attract crews, admin to this location.
The area south of runway 12/30 is flat and unreserved which will allow for a sizable facility with possible expansion. YEG’s traffic isn’t too heavy allowing for quick departures without waiting during peak hours.
Jet fuel is produced in Edmonton but I think they would be prudent to add an adequate fuel tank farm into the plan. With a CC330MRTT possibly requiring 100k liters of fuel, I think they will need a fuel hydrant system as well. Being on an established International Airport will allow for additional/shared resources that DND will not have to invest in.
Win-win.