CFB Winnipeg

Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Winnipeg is a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) installation located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, co-located with the Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport. The federal government’s Canadian Air Board established the site in 1922, and it opened as an aerodrome on April 1, 1925, as No 1 (Operations) Wing, Winnipeg. During World War II, the base functioned as a training facility for the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, providing instruction for more than 130,000 personnel. It also operated as a supply and repair depot and a ferry base. Following the 1968 unification of the Canadian Armed Forces, the installation was designated CFB Winnipeg. In the mid-1990s, the RCAF implemented a wing system, establishing 17 Wing Winnipeg as the base’s highest-level unit.

The base is operated by the Department of National Defence and serves as the headquarters for 1 Canadian Air Division and the Canadian North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) Region, both housed within the Billy Bishop Building. Current operations focus on flight operations support and specialized training. Stationed units include 402 "City of Winnipeg" Squadron, which operates a fleet of de Havilland CT-142 Dash 8 aircraft. The base also houses the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Studies, the Canadian Forces School of Survival and Aeromedical Training, the Canadian Forces School of Meteorology, and the headquarters of 3 Canadian Forces Flying Training School.

Infrastructure at CFB Winnipeg includes the Air Force Heritage Museum and Air Park. This facility maintains an outdoor air park featuring static displays of historic airframes, including the Avro Canada CF-100 Canuck, Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, McDonnell CF-101 Voodoo, and Canadair CF-5. Indoor displays include the North American B-25 Mitchell and Douglas Dakota. Historically, the base has hosted various aircraft types, including the P-51D Mustang, de Havilland Vampire, and Canadair CT-133 Silver Star.