A small army of construction workers, literally, has descended on Canadian Forces Base Trenton in Quinte West, 175 kilometres west of Toronto, to begin work on an $850 million upgrading and infrastructure project to support the long-term operation of up to seven CC-330 Husky aircraft.
In one area, crews are paving a taxiway and completing grading and electrical work. On any given day, up to 50 workers on excavators, loaders, dump trucks and paving machines are onsite.
Near the Air Mobility Training Centre, a small team of up to five workers is using a drill rig to dig bore holes to study soil conditions that will guide the next steps in design and construction, while in a hangar and apron area workers are excavating the site and doing utility work.
Kened Sadiku, spokesperson for the Department of National Defence (DND), says construction is progressing well on several key infrastructure projects at the Main Operating Base (MOB) – East, which includes construction of a new two-bay hangar, fuel depot, apron area and ramp extension.
“Airfield modification construction at MOB-East started in spring of 2025,” he said. “Design of the new hangar is underway and early construction activities, such us apron work have started.
“All required construction for the project, including the hangar, fuelling/defuelling infrastructure, training facilities, and cargo and passenger processing infrastructure, is anticipated to be completed by 2033.”
The project is part of Canada’s $38.6-billion plan for NORAD modernization, the largest investment in NORAD capabilities in a generation, and will support the Strategic Tanker Transport Capability (STTC) project. With the new suite of investments, five CC-150 Polaris aircraft will be swapped out with up to nine CC-330 Husky Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft.
A separate operating base under development in Edmonton will support up to three tanker transport aircraft. The project at CFB Trenton is expected to create up to 1,000 jobs in the area.
A groundbreaking was held at the base in the summer, attended by National Defence Minister David McGuinty and Colonel Andy Bowser, commander 8 Wing/CFB Trenton, to kick off the project.
New infrastructure must be built at the base to house and maintain the aircraft and upgrades must be made to existing facilities. Additionally, the project will provide a training and simulation facility.
Modifications are also being made to the airfield and cargo and passenger processing infrastructure. The airfield modification project is being carried out in phases, with the first phased focused on widening and repaving of a taxiway, along with grading and electrical work.
Once the taxiway is completed, it will be commissioned as a temporary runway to maintain operations while the main runway at the base undergoes upgrades next year.
The project is challenging as the base is still operating while the project is underway. Careful planning and co-ordination are key.
This is being managed through regular committee meetings of personnel at the base, working groups, and open communication among DND, Defence Construction Canada (DCC), 8 Operations Support Squadron (OSS), the air traffic control tower and regional program operations.
“Initiatives such as co-ordination of working groups and close collaboration with key stakeholders have been key in overcoming co-ordination challenges for (the) STTC project,” says Sadiku. “As construction activity for STTC continues to increase, these planning and co-ordination efforts will become even more critical.”
For example, close co-ordination between air traffic controllers and 8 OSS is supported by onsite staff from DCC and the Corps of Commissionaires so that aircraft at the site can safely cross the taxiway to access the de-icing pad without disrupting construction or flight operations.
For the hangar and apron site specifically, fencing will be installed to separate the construction zone from airfield operations.
While there may be some minor disruptions to operations and traffic flow for some aircraft, Sadiku says they will not be significant.
“Any minor impacts are proactively communicated to stakeholders in advance to minimize inconvenience.”
At the hangar and apron area, bulldozers, excavators, loaders and dump trucks are being used to get the site ready for construction.
Sadiku says funding for the NORAD modernization was announced in June 2022 and is being rolled out over a 20-year period. The plan is focused on five key areas, including investment in infrastructure and support capabilities, and enhancing bases and facilities to sustain a military presence in northern Canada.
Radar systems will also be modernized, including in the Arctic, to detect threats earlier and more precisely, command and control systems are to be upgraded, and advanced air-to-air missiles are to be acquired as well as additional refuelling aircraft for fighter fleets.
The government also plans to invest heavily in research and innovation to future-proof defence capabilities, including satellite communications and emerging technologies like quantum systems.
