Structure of the Royal Canadian Air Force explained

This is the structure of the Royal Canadian Air Force, as of November 2020.

Headquarters, Royal Canadian Air Force

• Headquarters, Royal Canadian Air Force, at Major-General George R Pearkes Building, Ottawa^[1]
  • Commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force, Lieutenant-General Eric Kenny
  • Chief Warrant Officer of the Air Force, Denis Gaudreault^[2]

Royal Canadian Air Force Aerospace Warfare Centre (RAWC)

• Headquarters, Royal Canadian Air Force Aerospace Warfare Centre, at CFB Trenton^[3]
  • 434 Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron, at CFB Trenton^[4]
  • 414 EWS (Electronic Warfare Support) Squadron, On 7 December 2007 approval was received for the squadron to stand up once more, this time as 414 EWS (Electronic Warfare Support) Squadron. Belonging to the RCAF Aerospace Warfare Centre, the squadron is based in Ottawa and is composed of military Electronic Warfare Officers who fulfil the combat support role, flying on civilian contracted aircraft. The squadron was re-formed at Gatineau Airport, Quebec, on 20 January 2009 to operate the Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet provided by Top Aces Canada.

1 Canadian Air Division

• Headquarters, 1 Canadian Air Division, at CFB Winnipeg^[5]
  • 1 Wing Kingston, at CFB Kingston^[6]
    • 400 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, at CFB Borden, (CH-146 Griffon)^[7]
    • 403 Helicopter Operational Training Squadron, at CFB Gagetown, (CH-146 Griffon)^[8]
    • 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, at CFB Edmonton, (CH-146 Griffon)^[9]
    • 430 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, at CFB Valcartier, (CH-146 Griffon)^[10]
    • 438 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, at CFB St. Hubert, (CH-146 Griffon)^[11]
    • 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, at CFB Petawawa, (CH-147F Chinook)^[12]
  • 3 Wing Bagotville, at CFB Bagotville^[13]
    • 3 Air Maintenance Squadron, at CFB Bagotville^[14]
    • 12 Radar Squadron, at CFB Bagotville^[15]
    • 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron, at CFB Bagotville, (CF-18 Hornet)^[16]
    • 433 Tactical Fighter Squadron, at CFB Bagotville, (CF-18 Hornet)^[17]
    • 439 Combat Support Squadron, at CFB Bagotville, (CH-146 Griffon)^[18]
    • 3 Wing Air Reserve Flight, at CFB Bagotville^[19]
    • Canadian NORAD Region Forward Operating Location Iqaluit
  • 4 Wing Cold Lake, at CFB Cold Lake^[20]
    • 1 Air Maintenance Squadron, at CFB Cold Lake^[21]
    • 10 Field Technical Training Squadron, at CFB Cold Lake^[22]
    • 42 Radar Squadron, at CFB Cold Lake, (AN/TPS-70)^[23]
    • 401 Tactical Fighter Squadron, at CFB Cold Lake, (CF-18 Hornet)^[24]
    • 409 Tactical Fighter Squadron, at CFB Cold Lake, (CF-18 Hornet)^[25]
    • 410 Tactical Fighter Operational Training Squadron, at CFB Cold Lake, (CF-18 Hornet)^[26]
    • 417 Combat Support Squadron, at CFB Cold Lake, (CH-146 Griffon)^[27]
    • 4 Wing Air Reserve Flight, at CFB Cold Lake
    • Canadian NORAD Region Forward Operating Location Inuvik, at Inuvik (Mike Zubko) Airport^[28]
    • Canadian NORAD Region Forward Operating Location Rankin Inlet, at Rankin Inlet Airport^[29]
    • Canadian NORAD Region Forward Operating Location Yellowknife, at Yellowknife Airport^[30]
  • 5 Wing Goose Bay, at CFB Goose Bay^[31]
    • 444 Combat Support Squadron, at CFB Goose Bay, (CH-146 Griffons)^[32]
    • 5 Wing Air Reserve Flight, at CFB Goose Bay
    • Canadian NORAD Region Forward Operating Location Goose Bay^[33]
  • 8 Wing Trenton, at CFB Trenton^[34]
    • 2 Air Movements Squadron, at CFB Trenton^[35]
    • 8 Air Maintenance Squadron, at CFB Trenton^[36]
    • 412 Transport Squadron, at Ottawa International Airport, (CC-144 Challenger)^[37]
    • 424 Transport and Rescue Squadron, at CFB Trenton, (C-130H Hercules, CH-146 Griffon)^[38]
    • 426 Transport Training Squadron, at CFB Trenton^[39]
    • 429 Transport Squadron, at CFB Trenton, (CC-177 Globemaster III)^[40]
    • 436 Transport Squadron, at CFB Trenton, (CC-130J Super Hercules)^[41]
    • 437 Transport Squadron, at CFB Trenton, (CC-150 Polaris)^[42]
    • 440 Transport Squadron, at Yellowknife Airport, (CC-138 DHC-6 Twin Otter)^[43]
    • 8 Air Wing Reserve Flight, at CFB Trenton
    • Multi-Engine Utility Flight, at CFB Trenton, (King Air BE350)
    • Canadian Forces Station Alert, at Ellesmere Island^[44]
    • Canadian Army Advanced Warfare Centre, at CFB Trenton^[45]
    • Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Trenton, at CFB Trenton^[46]
    • Search and Rescue Network Operations Communications Centre, at CFB Trenton
  • 9 Wing Gander, at CFB Gander^[47]
    • 103 Search and Rescue Squadron, at CFB Gander, (CH-149 Cormorant)^[48]
    • 9 Wing Reserve Flight, at CFB Gander
      • Air Reserve Flight Detachment Torbay, at CFS St. John's
  • 12 Wing Shearwater, at Shearwater Heliport^[49]
    • 12 Air Maintenance Squadron, at Shearwater Heliport^[50]
    • 406 Maritime Operational Training Squadron, at Shearwater Heliport, (CH-148 Cyclone)^[51]
    • 423 Maritime Helicopter Squadron, at Shearwater Heliport, (CH-148 Cyclone)^[52]
    • 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron, at Patricia Bay, (CH-148 Cyclone)^[53]
    • 12 Wing Air Reserve Flight, at Shearwater Heliport
  • 14 Wing Greenwood, at CFB Greenwood^[54]
    • 14 Air Maintenance Squadron, at CFB Greenwood^[55]
    • 14 Construction Engineering Squadron, at Bridgewater^[56]
    • 404 Long Range Patrol and Training Squadron, at CFB Greenwood^[57]
    • 405 Long Range Patrol Squadron, at CFB Greenwood, (CP-140 Aurora)^[58]
    • 413 Transport and Rescue Squadron, at CFB Greenwood, (C-130 Hercules, CH-149 Cormorant)^[59]
    • 415 Long Range Patrol Force Development Squadron, at CFB Greenwood^[57]
    • 14 Wing Air Reserve Flight, at CFB Greenwood
    • 91 Construction Engineering Flight, at CFB Gander
    • 143 Construction Engineering Flight, at Lunenburg
    • 144 Construction Engineering Flight, at Pictou
  • 17 Wing Winnipeg, at CFB Winnipeg^[60]
    • 402 "City of Winnipeg" Squadron, at CFB Winnipeg^[61]
    • 17 Wing Air Reserve Flight, at CFB Winnipeg
    • Royal Canadian Air Force Band, at CFB Winnipeg^[62]
  • 19 Wing Comox, at CFB Comox^[63]
    • 19 Air Maintenance Squadron, at CFB Comox^[64]
    • 407 Long Range Patrol Squadron, at CFB Comox, (CP-140 Aurora)^[65]
    • 418 Search and Rescue Operational Training Squadron, at CFB Comox^[66]
    • 435 "Chinthe" Transport and Rescue Squadron, at CFB Winnipeg, (C-130H Hercules)^[67]
    • 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron, at CFB Comox, (DHC-5 Buffalo, CH-149 Cormorant)^[68]
    • 19 Wing Air Reserve Flight, at CFB Comox
    • 192 Construction Engineering Flight, at Abbotsford
    • Canadian Forces School of Search and Rescue, at CFB Comox^[69]
  • 22 Wing North Bay, at CFB North Bay^[70]
    • 21 Aerospace Control and Warning Squadron, at CFB North Bay^[71]
    • 51 Aerospace Control and Warning Operational Training Squadron, at CFB North Bay^[72]
    • 22 Wing Air Reserve Flight, at CFB North Bay
    • Detachment 2, First Air Force (USAF), at CFB North Bay

2 Canadian Air Division

• Headquarters, 2 Canadian Air Division, at CFB Winnipeg^[73]
  • Canadian Forces Aircrew Selection Centre, at CFB Trenton^[74]
  • 15 Wing Moose Jaw, at CFB Moose Jaw^[75]
    • 2 Canadian Forces Flying Training School, at CFB Moose Jaw, (CT-155 Hawk, CT-156 Harvard II)^[76]
    • 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School, at Southport Aerospace Centre, (Grob G 120A, Bell CH-139, CH-146 Griffon)^[77]
    • 15 Air Traffic Control Squadron, at CFB Moose Jaw
    • 431 Air Demonstration Squadron (Snowbirds), at CFB Moose Jaw, (CT-114 Tutor)^[78]
  • 16 Wing Borden, at CFB Borden^[79]
    • 16 Wing Air Reserve Flight, at CFB Borden
    • Royal Canadian Air Force Academy, at CFB Borden^[80]
    • Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Technology and Engineering, at CFB Borden^[81]
    • Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Control Operations, at Cornwall^[82]

3 Canadian Space Division

Officially stood up on 22 July 2022,^[83] 3 Canadian Space Division (3 CSD) (French: 3^e Division spatiale du Canada or French: 3^e DSC) is the Air Force's main agency responsible for delivering space power effects in support of Canadian Armed Forces operations.

The division's primary operational formation is 7 Wing (French: 7^e Escadre),^[84] which was originally meant to be the operational base formation at Canadian Forces Base Ottawa before cutbacks in the 1990s saw the base effectively closed. 7 Wing is composed of two operational units:

• 7 Space Operations Squadron (French: 7^e Escadron d'opérations spatiales)^[85]
• 7 Operations Support Squadron (French: 7^e Escadron de soutien aux opérations)^[86]

Air Force Expeditionary Capability

• 2 Wing Bagotville, at CFB Bagotville^[87]
  • 2 Mission Support Squadron, at CFB Bagotville^[88]
  • 2 Air Expeditionary Training Squadron, at CFB Bagotville^[89]
  • 2 Operational Support Squadron, at CFB Bagotville^[90]
  • 4 Construction Engineering Squadron, at CFB Cold Lake^[91]
  • 8 Air Communication and Control Squadron, at CFB Trenton^[92]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Top ranks of Canadian Forces get shake-up with new army, navy commanders. CBC. January 19, 2016. 3 November 2020.
2. Web site: Chief Warrant Officer of the Royal Canadian Air Force. 3 November 2020.
3. Web site: Canadian Forces Aerospace Warfare Centre. 3 November 2020.
4. News: 434 Squadron re-activated and based in Trenton. 31 May 2018. Quinte News. 3 November 2020.
5. News: Alberta air force base to use goats, sheep to chew down unwanted vegetation. 8 July 2020. EverythingGP. 2 November 2020.
6. News: New Commander at the Head of Canada's Tactical Helicopter Wing. 29 July 2020. Kingston Herald. 2 November 2020.
7. News: Operation Ho Ho Ho spreads Christmas cheer at SickKids. 15 December 2016. Vertical Magazine. 2 November 2020.
8. News: Air force warned about backlash over MacKay's chopper flight. 2 December 2011. Toronto Star. 2 November 2020.
9. News: 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron training at CFB Suffield and surrounding area. 21 September 2020. Prairie Post. 2 November 2020.
10. News: HAVEN HOME CLIMATECARE PRESENTED BY HAVEN HOME CLIMATECARE Helicopter forces complete training for Mali mission. 19 October 2018. The Kingston Whig-Standard. 2 November 2020.
11. News: Maximum rotation: Tactical aviation turns to Reserves to deliver overseas operations. 11 January 2019. Skies Magazine. 2 November 2020.
12. News: Canadian military to provide airlift for UN pandemic relief efforts. 16 June 2020. Radio Canada International. 2 November 2020.
13. News: Government awards design contract for future fighter infrastructure in Cold Lake. 27 August 2020. Skies Magazine. 2 November 2020.
14. Web site: Canadian Forces CF18 Demo Team – Facebook post, 17 February 2017. . 2 November 2020.
15. News: Change of command at air force flight controller school. 4 July 2013. Seaway News. 2 November 2020.
16. News: 'It scared the heck out of me': CF-18 flyby spooks Montrealers. 23 June 2017. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 2 November 2020.
17. News: Extensive training leads to fighter pilot designation. 23 November 2017. Chemainus Valley Courier. 2 November 2020.
18. Web site: 439 Combat Support Squadron. 2 November 2020.
19. Web site: 3 Wing Air Reserve Flight (Bagotville). 2 November 2020.
20. News: Canadian military plans CF-18 warplane monument at new headquarters in Ottawa. 19 October 2020. rabble.ca. 2 November 2020.
21. News: Change of Command at 4 Wing. 12 July 2019. The Cold Lake Sun. 2 November 2020.
22. News: Journeyman fighter force technicians graduate. 5 February 2019. Skies Magazine. 2 November 2020.
23. News: 42 Radar Squadron works with U.S. Marines during Exercise Maple Flag 50. 12 June 2017. Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. 2 November 2020.
24. News: 4 Wing Cold Lake's 401 Squadron celebrates its long and varied 100-year history. 11 December 2018. The Cold Lake Sun. 2 November 2020.
25. News: 409 Tactical Fighter Squadron CF-18s to hold training in Comox. 17 July 2020. My Campbell River Now. 2 November 2020.
26. News: RCAF announces pilot for 2020 CF-18 Demonstration Team. 11 December 2019. Skies Magazine. 2 November 2020.
27. News: Chinook retrieves damaged Griffon from remote training area. 4 February 2019. Vertical Magazine. 2 November 2020.
28. News: Work on Mike Zubko Airport runway extension to begin in 2021. 9 August 2020. NNSL Media. 2 November 2020.
29. News: Peter . Pigott . On guard for thee . 2011 . Wings . 2013-09-08 . The air force, in conjunction with NORAD, also maintains four Forward Operating Locations (FOLs) where it can pre-deploy CF-18 Hornet fighter aircraft in response to, or anticipation of, unwelcome activity. The FOLs are located in Inuvik and Yellowknife, N.W.T., and in Iqaluit and Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. They provide all the necessary infrastructure and supplies to support the air force's fighter aircraft in these remote and isolated regions. . https://web.archive.org/web/20140714153403/http://www.wingsmagazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5315&Itemid=146 . 2014-07-14 . dead .
30. News: Fighter jets fly north for NORAD Exercise Amalgam Dart. 25 May 2015. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 2 November 2020.
31. News: Consecutive Wage Increases, Benefits Included in Agreement for 5-Wing Goose Bay Workers. 2 June 2020. VOCM. 2 November 2020.
32. News: 5 Wing Goose Bay: Little wing, big effect. 20 August 2019. Skies Magazine. 2 November 2020.
33. News: TRAINING TOGETHER TO BETTER PROTECT THE NORTH. 30 October 2015. NORAD. 2 November 2020.
34. News: CFB Trenton welcomes return of personnel from Ukraine. 8 April 2020. inquinte.ca. 2 November 2020.
35. News: Canadians mourn Captain Jennifer Casey after her tragic death in Snowbirds crash. 18 May 2020. kawarthaNOW. 2 November 2020.
36. News: 8 Air Maintenance Squadron welcomes new Commanding Officer. 15 July 2020. Quinte News. 2 November 2020.
37. News: Canada Refreshes Its Multi-role Challenger Fleet. 8 June 2020. Aviation International News. 2 November 2020.
38. News: Members of 424 Transport and Rescue Squadron rescue hiker in Algonquin Park. 1 October 2020. The Intelligencer. 2 November 2020.
39. News: Ontario Helping Veterans and their Families Start New Careers. 10 November 2019. Government of Ontario. 2 November 2020.
40. News: 437 Transport Squadron command changes hands. 9 June 2020. Quinte News. 2 November 2020.
41. News: New honorary colonel at 436 Transport Squadron. 4 November 2019. Skies Magazine. 2 November 2020.
42. News: Collision investigation at CFB Trenton finds authorized equipment and training needed. 19 June 2020. inquinte.ca. 2 November 2020.
43. News: Increased RCAF activities in Yellowknife. 20 April 2020. My Yellowknife Now. 2 November 2020.
44. Web site: Station des Forces canadiennes Alert. 2 November 2020.
45. News: Court martial set to begin for soldier at CFB Trenton. 4 September 2020. Quinte News. 2 November 2020.
46. News: Canadian Coast Guard Inshore Rescue Boat North Completes Summer Season. 27 October 2020. Canada News Wire. 2 November 2020.
47. News: New commanding officer for 9 Wing Gander. 1 August 2019. The Telegram. 3 November 2020.
48. News: Asbestos forces SAR choppers from Gander to St. John's. 13 November 2018. Canadian Broadcasting Company. 3 November 2020.
49. News: Lead contamination discovered in drinking water at 12 Wing Shearwater building. 29 January 2020. Ottawa Citizen. 3 November 2020.
50. News: 12 Wing welcomes group for first Cyclone helicopter tour. 17 September 2016. Victoria Lookout. 3 November 2020.
51. News: Moving to the CH-148 Cyclone: conversion training next step. 28 September 2017. Victoria Lookout. 3 November 2020.
52. News: CAF members killed in Cyclone crash honoured at 8 Wing. 7 May 2020. Wings Magazine. 3 November 2020.
53. News: What was that military chopper flying above Squamish?. 14 April 2020. Squamish Chief. 3 November 2020.
54. News: 14 Wing Greenwood raises transgender flag for first time. 25 June 2020. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 3 November 2020.
55. Web site: Royal Canadian Air Force – Facebook post, 22 April 2019. . 3 November 2020.
56. Web site: RCAF Reserve Contact Details. 3 November 2020.
57. News: Canada and North Atlantic Defense: The Modernization of the CP-140. 20 October 2017. Second Line of Defense. 3 November 2020.
58. News: Canada deploys HMCS Winnipeg to support Operation NEON. 7 October 2020. Naval Technology. 3 November 2020.
59. News: Polar Bear Attacks Military Helicopter in Canada: 'First Time Anybody Has Encountered This'. 10 January 2020. Newsweek. 3 November 2020.
60. News: 'Remember the fallen': celebrating the 75th anniversary of VE Day. 8 May 2020. CTV News. 3 November 2020.
61. News: George Richardson, patriarch of prominent Winnipeg family, dies. 15 May 2014. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 3 November 2020.
62. News: Reporting for duty in London: Royal Canadian Air Force guards the Queen. 1 July 2018. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. 3 November 2020.
63. News: 19 Wing Comox gets Canada's first new fixed-wing rescue aircraft in 50 years. 25 September 2020. Times Colonist. 3 November 2020.
64. News: Controlled detonations part of two-week exercise at 19 Wing Comox. 11 February 2020. BC Local News. 3 November 2020.
65. News: 407 Squadron returns to 19 Wing Comox following Operation NEON. 17 December 2019. Comox Valley Record. 3 November 2020.
66. News: First CC-295 FWSAR aircraft arrives at 19 Wing Comox. 22 September 2020. Skies Magazine. 3 November 2020.
67. News: Comox offers valuable training for CF18 pilots, air-to-air refuelling. 17 July 2020. Vancouver Island Free Daily. 3 November 2020.
68. News: Transport and Rescue Squadron train in Chilcotin range. 29 October 2020. My Cariboo now. 3 November 2020.
69. News: Canada nears end to long, tortuous search for military rescue planes. 25 September 2020. North Shore News. 3 November 2020.
70. News: 21 Squadron member in North Bay takes Norad's top award. 3 November 2020. Ganonoque Reporter. 3 November 2020.
71. News: 21 Aerospace Control & Warning Squadron has a new Honorary Colonel. 30 May 2020. Bay Today. 3 November 2020.
72. News: 22 Wing personnel recognized with NORAD Region award. 10 March 2020. Bay Today. 3 November 2020.
73. News: Change of command highlights 2 Canadian Air Division accomplishments. 10 September 2018. Government of Canada. 3 November 2020.
74. Web site: Canadian Forces Aircrew Selection Centre. 3 November 2020.
75. News: Millarville's Riel Erickson New "Top Gun" At Air Force Pilot Training School. HighRiverOnline.com. 3 November 2020.
76. News: 15 Wing grounds all planes during pandemic to protect personnel. 27 May 2020. Moose Jaw Today. 3 November 2020.
77. News: Next-gen aircrew training. 23 July 2019. Skies Magazine. 3 November 2020.
78. News: Village in United Kingdom showing support for Snowbirds. 20 May 2020. Moose Jaw Today. 3 November 2020.
79. News: RCAF 16 Wing Borden celebrates 100th anniversary of RFCC. 5 June 2017. Skies Magazine. 3 November 2020.
80. Web site: Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Primary Air Environmental Qualification (PAEQ). 3 November 2020.
81. News: Calian to provide training services for CFSATE. 29 April 2020. Airforce Technology. 3 November 2020.
82. Web site: NAV Centre – Facebook post, 17 April 2019. . 3 November 2020.
83. News: Establishment of 3 Canadian Space Division. 22 July 2022.
84. Web site: 7 Wing Ottawa - Royal Canadian Air Force . 22 July 2022. 22 July 2022 .
85. Web site: 7 Space Operations Squadron - Royale Canadian Air Force . 22 July 2022. 22 July 2022 .
86. Web site: 7 Operations Support Squadron - Royal Canadian Air Force . 22 July 2022. 22 July 2022 .
87. News: National Defence announces new infrastructure project at Canadian Forces Base Bagotville . 30 August 2019. Government of Canada. 2 November 2020.
88. Web site: W0106-20C008-A_Modif 002_Demande soumissions_EN. 3. 2 November 2020.
89. Web site: WO NOBLE, 00171, MSE OP. 2 November 2020.
90. News: 'Exceptional Service': Renfrew native honoured with Order of Military Merit. 7 March 2019. 7. 2 November 2020.
91. News: Operation-capable: ASAR ensures RCAF can deploy when called to service. 23 October 2018. Government of Canada. 2 November 2020.
92. News: Aid Commission opens to all veterans. 18 September 2020. MyWestNipissingNow. 2 November 2020.