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An official opening ceremony was held on Jan. 25 for the newly constructed Hangar 6 at 8 Wing Trenton, Ont. Karen McCrimmon, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs; and Neil Ellis, Member of Parliament for Bay of Quinte, opened the new $92 million facility on behalf of Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan.
Completed in December 2016, Hangar 6 includes two maintenance bays, supply parts and storage areas, and various workshops. The new facility will enhance the efficiency of 429 and 437 Transport Squadrons by providing a more spacious and technologically advanced work environment.
Hangar 6 is part of a larger-scale $860 million renovation at 8 Wing Trenton announced in 2007 to accommodate new aircraft purchased as part of the Airlift Capability Project (Strategic and Tactical).
The newly-constructed hangar will provide 21,860 square metres (235,299 square feet) of gross area–equivalent to the size of three Canadian Football League fields–to maintain the five CC-177 Globemaster III and five CC-150 Polaris aircraft stationed at 8 Wing. It will also be used on occasion by the CC-130J Hercules as well as the Airbus C295W, Canada’s future fixed-wing search and rescue aircraft.
As part of the Department of National Defence’s continued evolution as a responsible and sustainable organization, Hangar 6 has achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver certification, thanks to green components integrated into its construction.
“The construction of Hangar 6 provided great economic opportunities for local businesses as well as employment for residents,” said Ellis. “I am also proud to say that it meets LEED silver certification. As such, it is not only a major infrastructure project for National Defence, but it is a major green infrastructure project.”
8 Wing Trenton is involved in a multitude of Canadian Armed Forces operations and its Joint Rescue Coordination Centre is responsible for covering up to one million square kilometres for search and rescue operations in central Canada.
“CFB Trenton is at the forefront of Canadian military airlift with its fleets of tactical and strategic transport,” said McCrimmon at the opening. “I’m very proud to have our community, and the many military members within it, play such an integral role in helping the RCAF and the Canadian Armed Forces realize their work here at home and abroad.”
