17 Wing is a composite formation, conducting and supporting flying operations and a variety of training functions. The Wing also supports 113 units stretching from Thunder Bay, Ontario, to the Saskatchewan/Alberta Border and from the 49th Parallel to the high Arctic. 17 Wing also acts as a deployed operating base for CF-18 Hornet fighter-bombers assigned to the Canadian NORAD Region.

402 “City of Winnipeg” Squadron flies the Canadian-designed and -produced de Havilland Canada CT-142 Dash 8 navigation trainer in support of the Canadian Forces Air Navigation School’s Air Navigators and Airborne Electronic Sensor Operator training programs.

435 “Chinthe” Transport and Rescue Squadron flies the powerful Lockheed CC-130 Hercules tanker/transport in the airlift search and rescue roles. In addition, 435 Squadron is the only Air Force squadron equipped and trained to conduct air-to-air refuelling of fighter aircraft in support of operational and training activities at home and abroad. The CC-130 Hercules tanker is a key asset for the Canadian NORAD Region in its mission to defend Canada and the United States against aerial threats that originate outside or within North American airspace.

440 “Vampire” Transport Squadron based at Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories, flies that rugged work-horse of the Canadian North, the de Havilland Canada CC-138 Twin Otter, in support of Canadian Forces activities across the North.

3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School is located at the Southport Aerospace Centre at Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. The mission of 3 CFFTS is to conduct pilot training for the Air Force. The School oversees the primary pilot selection and training process currently provided by Bombardier Aerospace Inc.’s Canadian Aviation Training Centre using the Slingsby T-67 Firefly elementary trainer. 3 CFFTS military flying instructors conduct helicopter and multi-engine aircraft pilot training using the Bell CH-139 Jet Ranger helicopter and the Beech King Air multi-engine aircraft. The advance training provided by 3 CFFTS culminates in the student pilots being awarded their military pilot Wings.

1 Air Movements Squadron provides Mobile Air Movements Sections (MAMS) that operate airheads, loading and unloading aircraft cargo and passengers in support of Air Force operations around the world.

The Canadian Forces Air Navigation School (CFANS) trains all Canadian Air Force Air Navigators and Airborne Electronic Sensor Operators to “wings” standard, as well as Air Navigator students from several Allied Air Forces. In addition to using sophisticated ground-based simulator systems for training, CFANS instructors and students conduct their flight training aboard CT-142 Dash-8 navigation trainers operated by 402 “City of Winnipeg” Squadron. Visual navigation training is conducted by Bombardier Aerospace Inc.’s Canadian Aviation Training Centre using the Slingsby T-67 Firefly elementary trainer at Southport.

The Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Studies runs post-graduate courses in specialized fields such as Aerospace Systems, Basic and Advanced Electronic Warfare and space operations. This School also conducts the Air Force officer Basic and Air Force Officer Advanced courses.

The Canadian Forces School of Meteorology trains all Air Force Meteorological Technicians.

The Canadian Forces School of Survival and Aeromedical Training conducts all aircrew Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape (SERE) training, designed to help downed aircrew survive to be rescued, and all ”human factors” or aeromedical training of aircrew. The school is equipped with both a high-altitude hypobaric chamber and a hyperbaric chamber.

17 Wing maintains a Detachment at Dundurn, near Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The Dundurn Detachment is home to a Canadian Forces Ammunition Depot, responsible for the storage and handling of military munitions and the only Canadian Forces site for the disposal of time-expired munitions as well as ranges and a manoeuvre training area.

17 Wing hosts the 1 Canadian Air Division/Canadian NORAD Region Headquarters. This Headquarters oversees all domestic Canadian Air Force operations as well as all operations of the Canadian NORAD Region.