8 Wing's main transport effort is handled by its fleet of 20 CC-130 Hercules and five Airbus CC-150 Polaris transport Aircraft. Both can usually be found front and centre in any operation where Canada has interests.

Strategic airlift involves the movement of personnel and equipment from Canada to overseas and is the primary role of the Polaris, operated solely by 437 Transport Squadron at 8 Wing.

For outsized loads, the Air Force relies on the Hercules, the "backbone" of Canada's airlift requirements. Given the number of taskings they are called to perform, Canadian CC-130s are the most heavily used Hercules Aircraft in the world.

CC-130 Hercules also equip 424 Search and Rescue/Transport Squadron
as a SAR platform though their main search and rescue Aircraft is the CH-149 Cormorant.

8 Wing is also responsible for four executive-configured transports or CC-144 Challengers. Based in Ottawa, 412 Squadron Challengers provide VIP transport for the prime minister, cabinet ministers, royalty, foreign heads of state and dignitaries.