RCAF 8 Wing / CFB Trenton Open House 2014

8 Wing / CFB Trenton is located on the Bay of Quinte along the north shore of Lake Ontario 160 km east of Toronto and 280 km southwest of Ottawa. It is the hub of Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) air transport operations in Canada and around the world. The wing operates tactical and strategic transport aircraft as well as Search and Rescue aircraft. These include the CC-130E, CC-130H and CC-130J Hercules, the CC-144 Challenger, the CC-150 Polaris (Airbus A-310), the CC-177 Globemaster III and the CH-146 Griffon helicopter.

In addition to their very diverse and challenging deployments, personnel and aircraft from 8 Wing are also involved in resupplying Canadian Forces Station (CFS) Alert, the world's northernmost inhabited location.

8 Wing / CFB Trenton has approximately 3200 regular force personnel, 600 reserve force personnel and 500 civilian members, and is the largest employer in the Quinte Region.

On Saturday May 31, 2014, 8 Wing / CFB Trenton celebrated the 90th Anniversary of the RCAF (1924 - 2014) with an Open House and Air Display. Admission and parking were free to the public.

Unlike in previous years, the static display was located on the northwest side of the base beside recently constructed Hangars 1 and 2. Hangar 1, completed in 2012, was built for the CC-177 Globemaster III and Hangar 2 was built for the CC-130J Hercules. Past air shows have always been held on the south side of the base.

The event ran from gate opening at 11:00 AM until 4:00 PM with the flying display beginning at 12:30 PM and going until 2:30 PM. Given the change in location the actual flying display ran north - south versus the east - west of prior shows.

Ground (static) displays included examples of each of the aircraft currently operating at the base. On display were the contractor owned and leased King Air B200 used in the Multi-Engine Utility Flight role, the CC-130J Hercules from 436 Transport Squadron, a SAR configured CH-146 Griffon helicopter and CC-130H Hercules from 424 Transport and Rescue Squadron, a CC-144 Challenger (VIP Transport) from 412 Transport Squadron, a CC-150 Polaris (one of two aircraft modified as Multi-Role Tanker Transports) and a CC-177 Globemaster III from 429 Transport Squadron. Other RCAF aircraft on static included the CT-156 Harvard II from 2 Canadian Forces Flying Training School (2 CFFTS), 15 Wing Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan and a CF-188 Hornet from 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron, 3 Wing Bagotville, Quebec.

The flying display included a CC-130E Hercules and a CH-146 Griffon, both from 424 Squadron, performing a search and rescue demonstration with a simulated casualty lift in a stretcher. As well, two Search and Rescue (SAR) Technicians performed parachute drops with impressive perfect landings. Additional air displays were provided by a CC-130J Hercules of 436 Squadron and CT-155 Hawk trainer from 2 CFFTS Moose Jaw.

Warbirds from Vintage Wings of Canada (Gatineau, Quebec) rounded out the show nicely with flying displays from their "John Gillespie Magee" Harvard MkIV (USAAF AT-6 Texan) painted in the standard overall yellow scheme applied to all training aircraft of the British Common Wealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) and their Mustang MkIV (USAAF P-51D) painted in period RCAF 442 Squadron markings. 442 Squadron flew the last Allied operational fighter mission of the entire European theatre of the Second World War, flying fighter cover for naval operations near the Channel Islands the day following VE Day.

Thanks to 8 Wing Trenton Public Affairs