$230 million contract in support of ‘Strong, Secure, Engaged’ defence policy

8 Wing CFB Trenton personnel from 437 Transport Squadron met with politicians and dignitaries Thursday at the Wing to hear the funding announcement to continue providing in-service support for the CC-150 Polaris fleet.

A five-year contract extension for the continued maintenance of the Royal Canadian Air Forces’ fleet of five CC-150 Polaris aircraft was announced today at 8 Wing, CFB Trenton.

Bay of Quinte MP Neil Ellis welcomed Marco Mendicino, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities for the announcement to provide up to $230 million in support of Canada’s defence policy, Strong, Secure, Engaged.

The contract, announced Thursday on behalf of Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan and Public Services and Procurement and Accessibility Minister Carla Qualtrough, is a renewal of the original in-service support contract awarded in 2013 to L3 MAS of Mirabel, Quebec. This contract included extension options for two five-year periods. He statefd that with this renewal, the government is helping to maintain more than 100 jobs in the aerospace sector in Quebec and Ontario.

First-level maintenance will continue to take place at 8 Wing Trenton, where the fleet is based and operated by 437 Transport Squadron.

“Since its formation, 437 Squadron has lived up to its motto Omnia Passim – Anything Anywhere,” said Ellis. “The squadron transported personnel and material during the Second World War and continues that tradition to this day, transporting equipment and personnel – from troops to Royalty. As the ‘Husky’ Squadron prepares to celebrate its 75th anniversary, it marks the unit’s 25th year flying air-to-air refuelling aircraft. Today’s announcement ensures that the members of 437 Squadron have the fleet they need to perform their duties for years to come.”

Mendicino also highlighted the 75th anniversary of 437 Transport Squadron, which will take place in 2019. In commemoration of the anniversary, a CC-150 Polaris was unveiled, newly painted in historical commemorative colours.

“CFB Trenton’s 437 Transport Squadron has been proudly serving Canada for the past 75 years. It’s great to see contracts, like this one, which will enable the squadron to continue offering the outstanding services and support for which they are so well known,” said Mendicino.

“Investments like these will ensure that they can continue to build on the rich 75-year history of their predecessors through their dedication and excellence,”
said Sajjan in a statement. “We have a duty to support our women and men in uniform and to provide the tools they need to deliver their missions. This contract is good for Canada, as it will keep our Polaris fleet in top shape and continue to sustain good, high-quality jobs for middle-class Canadians while creating economic benefits from coast to coast to coast.”

The Polaris aircraft fills a number of roles: transporting equipment, moving personnel and offering strategic air-to-air refuelling.

Two CC-150 Polaris aircraft are configured for strategic air-to-air refueling, two for transport of passengers and/or cargo, and one for strategic Government of Canada transport.

The CC-150 Polaris contributes to both domestic and international operations. A Polaris participates in Operation BOXTOP in CFS Alert every year, and one is currently playing a major role as part of Joint Task Force-Iraq, having delivered more than 64.5 million pounds of fuel to coalition aircraft in 1,138 sorties (as of Nov. 25 2018).