8 Wing Trenton

From delivering supplies to the high Arctic to airlifting troops, equipment and humanitarian loads worldwide, 8 Wing/CFB Trenton is the hub of air mobility operations in Canada. 8 Wing is responsible for Search and Rescue (SAR) operations over a large area under the jurisdiction of the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Trenton.  CFB Trenton is home to the famous Skyhawks; this parachute demonstration team is a sub-unit of the Canadian Forces Land Advanced Warfare Centre.

8 Wing / CFB Trenton is at the forefront of Canadian military airlift with its fleets of tactical and strategic transport and SAR aircraft. Daily flights to the four corners of the globe are routine for this Wing which is highly responsive to international events.

Located on the shores of Lake Ontario, this base's history began during the interwar period - building at the base began in the early 1930's, to be further expanded during the Second World War. CFB Trenton is once again undergoing considerable transformation, with the construction of new office buildings, hangars and a control tower; 8 Wing Trenton is arguably becoming one of Canada’s busiest air force bases.

As the hub of air transport operations, 8 Wing is involved in virtually every Canadian Forces operation. Most personnel and equipment deployed to any destination withinCanadaor around the world pass throughTrentonat some point.

Along with higher-profile deployments, aircraft and personnel from CFB Trenton are often involved with resupplying Canadian Forces Station Alert, the world's northernmost inhabited location. CFB Trenton’s 424 Squadron is responsible for providing SAR coverage to a million square-kilometer area in centralCanadaand has supported international missions inHaitiandJamaica.

CFB Trenton also provides the equipment warehouse for the Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART). This quick response team has provided humanitarian aid toPakistanfollowing a devastating earthquake in 2005 (Operation PLATEAU), toSri Lankain 2005 following the tsunami that hit the region (Operation STRUCTURE), toTurkeyin 1999 after a severe earthquake (Operation TORRENT), and toHaitiafter the devastating earthquake in 2010 (Operation HESTIA).  8 Wing assets have also supported missions toLibya(Operation MOBILE) and celebrated 10 years of continuous service in Afghanistan Task Force Canuk.

Currently there are approximately 3200 regular force, 600 reserve force and 500 civilian members who make-up the workforce at 8 Wing /CFB Trenton. Living in many of the communities located in the Quinte Region, members and their families comprise many of the 17,000 Trentonians and 50,000 residents of the City of Belleville. 

8 Wing is the largest employer in the Quinte Regions with an annual payroll of more than $110 Million, creating a significant economic impact in the local economy.

Situated on the beautiful North shore of Lake Ontario, 8 Wing/CFB Trenton is located 160 km East of Toronto, and 280 km Southwest of Ottawa. The Wing is located within the newly-formed City of Quinte West; the nearest population centre isTrenton, 3 km West of the Base. Belleville is 13 km to the East.