Edmonton International Airport likely site of DND’s Western Main Operating Base

National Defence is making progress on the planned location of the Western Main Operating Base (MOB-West). A recent media announcement reported that DND and the Edmonton International Airport (YEG) were in negotiations this month to formalize an agreement for the location of the new MOB-West for the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) CC-330 Husky Fleet.

MOB-West Location

The location for MOB-West is intended to complement the fleet’s MOB-East location at 8 Wing in Trenton, Ontario, as announced by Defence Minister Blair on March 8, 2024, with 9 aircraft split between the two 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.

This investment will be part of Canada’s $38.6 billion North American Aerospace Defense (NORAD) Modernization Plan, which was announced by the Government of Canada in June 2022 and represents the most significant upgrade to Canada’s NORAD capabilities in almost four decades.

Support NORAD Commitments

“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,” announced Lieutenant-General Eric Kenny, Commander, Royal Canadian Air Force.

“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 refueling, passenger transport, aeromedical evacuation, and strategic transport of Government of Canada officials, that is reflective of a fifth-generation air and space force.”

The press release further explained that DND will complete environmental reviews, site studies, and land value assessment activities for the MOB-West location before taking the final step to formalize the agreement with the Edmonton International Airport (YEG).

The related project scope and cost estimates will be finalized and shared once negotiations conclude.