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Canada Ponders Location for Western Military Operations to Support NORAD, Arctic

Canada Ponders Location for Western Military Operations to Support NORAD, Arctic

The Canadian Department of National Defence has started negotiations with the Edmonton International Airport on the possible location of the Western Main Operating Base.

DND said Tuesday that progress is rolling on a possible deal for the future home of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s new CC-330 Husky aircraft fleet. The department is looking to equip the new facility with maintenance, logistics, warehousing and administrative capabilities. Before sealing the deal, the department expects to carry out due diligence tasks, including environmental reviews, land value assessments and site studies.

The designation of MOB-West surfaced in March after Defense Minister Bill Blair unveiled plans to upgrade Canadian Forces Base Trenton to allow the facility to serve as the Eastern Main Operating Base for the Husky fleet.

NORAD Modernization

Both MOB-West and MOB-East form part of a $27.7 billion initiative to modernize the North American Aerospace Defense Command to improve Canada’s capability to quickly and accurately detect threats using modern surveillance systems. 

“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,” said Royal Canadian Air Force Commander Lt. Gen. Eric Kenny.

The general highlighted the advantages offered by the Husky fleet to the nation’s military.

“The CC-330 Husky provides the Canadian Armed Forces with a modern air-to-air refueling, passenger transport, aeromedical evacuation and strategic transport of government of Canada officials, that is reflective of a fifth-generation air and space force,” Kenny said.

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