It's a FAcT: Moose Jaw among 3 communities chosen for $11.2B RCAF training program - Action News
Home WebMail Wednesday, November 13, 2024, 03:14 AM | Calgary | -1.0°C | Regions Advertise Login | Our platform is in maintenance mode. Some URLs may not be available. |
Saskatchewan

It's a FAcT: Moose Jaw among 3 communities chosen for $11.2B RCAF training program

Moose Jaws 15 Wing Royal Canadian Air Force Base has a decades-long history of training military personnel. With the awarding of a new federal contract, the city has become one of three sites for the RCAF's $11.2 billion Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program.

Spread over 25 years, deal includes money for training, aircraft and facilities

Three planes fly through a blue sky.
Moose Jaw, Portage la Prairie and Winnipeg have been chosen as homes for the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program, which includes about $11.2 billion in spending spread out over the next 25 years. (Submitted by 15 Wing Moose Jaw)

Moose Jaw's 15 Wing Royal Canadian Air Force Base has a decades-long history of training military personnel.

With the awarding of a new federal contract,the city has become one of three sites for the RCAF's $11.2 billion Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program.

FAcT is aimed at improving flight training programs for the RCAF, with the investment spread out over the next 25 years atthree locations: Moose Jaw, Portage La Prairie and Winnipeg.

Mayor Clive Tolley shared in a public statement his belief that the contract could be a sign of new and exciting things to come for Moose Jaw.

"15 Wing is a key facet of Moose Jaw's identity, and we're excited to know that training operations at our military base have been secured for another 25 years," he said.

A row of dark CT-155 Hawk aircraft can be seen lined up at 15 Wing Moose Jaw, Sask.
CT-155 Hawk aircraft lined up at 15 Wing Moose Jaw. (The Canadian Press/DND/Master Corporal Pierre Thriault)

Defence and aviation company SkyAlyne was awarded the contract to deliver FAcTin Moose Jaw. The funding will include the purchase of 71 aircraft and the development of a new training program that will include virtual reality and ground-based training systems.

The company's general manager, Kevin Lemke, saysnew buildings will be a key aspect of the program.

"Moose Jaw has the largest infrastructure investment out of the three sites," he said, pointing to new hangars, training facilities, classrooms and other facilities.

Rob Clark, CEO of the Moose Jaw Chamber of Commerce CEO, says the news has put his groupon "cloud nine" becausethe investment will help the city continue connect with those who live and work at the base.

"It's becoming more of our community," he said. "A lot of the people are staying here, a lot of the people are retiring here, soit's really, really fabulous [to] retain some people."

Clark addsthatwhile it's too early to even contemplate an accurate economic impact estimate for the area, the investment should also help draw business to Moose Jaw that might otherwise go elsewhere: "Most everything goes to Regina so this is a big, big win for us."

Lemke says he sees the start of the project as akin to a winter sport.

"One of our guys, actually, was a former international-calibre bobsledder, and he said:'What we've got to do, it's just like bobsleigh. We've got to start really fast, gain momentum, and don't hit the brakes 'til the finish line."