James Bezan, Parliamentary Secretary for the Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Selkirk—Interlake, on behalf of the Honourable Rob Nicholson, Minister of National Defence, today announced a significant investment to enhance the CC-130J Hercules training environment at CFB Trenton. Mr. Bezan was joined at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Trenton by Rick Norlock, Member of Parliament for Northumberland–Quinte West, and Daryl Kramp, Member of Parliament for Prince Edward–Hastings.

Parliamentary Secretary Bezan highlighted an amendment to the original contract with CAE Inc. of Montreal, Quebec, which will deliver training environment enhancements, including training simulators and courseware to CFB Trenton. The upgrades are part of the overall upgrade plan for the CC-130J fleet, ensuring Canada’s men and women in uniform are equipped with the skills and training they require to remain among the best in the world.

Quick Facts

• Since 2006, the Government of Canada has made unprecedented investments to rebuild the Canadian Armed Forces. The defence budget has grown by over 27 per cent to ensure that Canada's men and women in uniform have the tools needed to succeed at home and on the world stage.

• During the last eight years, the Government of Canada has made a concerted effort to modernize the RCAF's air transport fleet successfully delivering 4 C-17 strategic lift aircraft, 17 C-130J tactical transport aircraft as well as 15 Chinook F-model heavy lift helicopters. Combined these capabilities provide a significant augmentation of Canada's air transport capacity to respond rapidly to domestic and international emergencies.

• The Canadian Armed Forces fleet of 17 CC-130J Hercules tactical aircraft are based at 8 Wing Trenton. Training for the aircraft is delivered by 426 Squadron using the training devices and courseware developed and built by CAE Inc.

• Continued investments will ensure that the Canadian Armed Forces are prepared and able to defend Canada and protect Canada's borders, maintain sovereignty over northern lands and waters, fight alongside Allies and respond to emergencies both at home and abroad.

• This contract amendment is worth more than $32.5 million to enhance the CC-130J training environment.

Quotes

“Our Government is committed to providing the Canadian Armed Forces with the equipment and training they require, and I’m proud to see that CFB Trenton is the latest recipient in a long line of significant investments made with that goal in mind. We are not only giving our airmen and airwomen important training, but it is also an investment in the growth of the Canadian defence and security industries, which ultimately bolsters the economic prosperity of our country.”

- The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls and Minister of National Defence

 

“The CC-130 Hercules is a mainstay of the Canadian Armed Forces’ transport fleet. The training that will take place here at Canadian Forces Base Trenton will ensure this fleet can continue to enable troops to conduct safer and more effective operations at home and abroad well into the future.”

- Mr. James Bezan, Parliamentary Secretary for the Minister of National Defence and Member of Parliament for Selkirk—Interlake

src:news.gc.ca