Transformation

• Squadron Consolidation
• Aerospace Warfare Centre

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Squadron Consolidation

Two CF-18 Hornets from 4 Wing Cold Lake’s 441 Tactical Fighter Squadron fly over Vancouver Island.

Consolidation part of continuing transformation process

The consolidation of 416 and 441 Tactical Fighter Squadrons into the reformed 409 Tactical Fighter Squadron (TFS) at 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alberta, and of 1 Air Movements Squadron (AMS) from 17 Wing Winnipeg, Manitoba into 2 Air Movements Squadron at 8 Wing Trenton, Ontario, is underway.

The change is expected to free up more than 25 positions that will fill high priority vacancies required to advance both Canadian Forces and Air Force transformation. Many of the jobs will help expand the recently created Canadian Forces Aerospace Warfare Centre based in Trenton, Ontario.

“We are building on the successful consolidations of other squadrons,” said Commander of Air Command and Chief of the Air Staff Lieutenant General J.S. Lucas. “The newly created squadrons will become more robust and more flexible, while freeing up key positions essential to the transformation of the Air Force.”

1 AMS will conduct a ceremony to mark its consolidation with 2 AMS on June 28th in Winnipeg. Events to mark the consolidations in Cold Lake will take place July 4 - 6.

Aerospace Warfare Centre

The Aerospace Warfare Centre is being considered the brainpower of the Air Force and will help prepare staff for future operations.

New Centre transforms Air Force

Anew centre of excellence will transform the way air power is employed in a more integrated way. The new Canadian Forces (CF) Aerospace Warfare Centre will be the engine of change for the Air Force, providing it with a focal point for the development of new capabilities and the enhancement of existing ones.

The Centre is all about people and brain power—a think tank that develops new ways of doing things to prepare the Air Force for future operations. Staff will research lessons learned from previous operations and analyze current operations and future trends. They will also develop partnerships with allies, the Army, Navy, government, industry and the academic community.

“We desperately need this Centre,” says Colonel Jim Cottingham, Commanding Officer of the Aerospace Warfare Centre. “The military knows how to fight the next fight by learning from the last one. Canadians have paid a huge cost for war with their blood—with this Centre it is hoped that the Canadian Forces will learn lessons before fighting the next war, which will save lives. This is transforming the Air Force in a very exciting way.”

“Right now we’re working on doctrine and writing a basic aerospace manual. It’ll be the intellectual foundation for the Air Force,” says Col Cottingham.

The Aerospace Warfare Centre is in Trenton with a detachment located at the Air Force Experimentation Centre in Ottawa. Starting with an initial staff of 31, the Centre is expected to reach full operational capability with approximately 125 people by 2008-2009.

“By September 2006 we’ll have more people and we’ll begin switching from writing to operational projects. Right now though, we’re still setting up and getting new ideas.”

The Aerospace Warfare Centre, formed in October 2005 as part of CAS, has been a focal point of transformation ever since its conception. The Centre is expected to change the Air Force in a very profound and positive way - helping to save lives even before an operation begins.

For more information on CF Transformation, visit the Air Force website: www.airforce.forces.gc.ca