Construction began today on a new NORAD Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) facility at Canadian Forces Base Bagotville. Quebec.
This facility will enable Canadian Armed Forces members to posture and deploy Canada's incoming fleet of CF-35A fighter jets in a flight-ready state in support of North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) operations, says a news release.
The new facility at CFB Bagotville will include aircraft hangar bays, office space and sleeping quarters for personnel, and a 17,000 m 2 secure fenced compound surrounding the facility. Once completed, it will help CAF personnel support Canada and the NORAD mission and quickly respond to any threats in North American airspace.
Construction is estimated at approximately $120 million and will sustain more than 600 jobs in the region. The facility is expected to be completed in 2027.
This upgrade is part of Canada's $38.6 billion NORAD Modernization Plan, announced in June 2022.
"We’re committed to investing in infrastructure at CFB North Bay as well, and it remains an important hub of CAF operations and key to the continental defence mission," National Defense Press Secretary Simon Lafortune told BayToday.
Defense Minister Bill Blair visited North Bay last fall to mark the completion of a new Health Services Centre.
See: Military welcomes new Health Services Centre at CFB North Bay
"22 Wing/CFB North Bay plays a key role in our continental defence, and is responsible for providing surveillance, identification, control and warning for the aerospace defence of Canada and North America at the Sector Air Operations Centre," added Lafortune. "We’re currently making the largest investment in continental defence and NORAD modernization in a generation; and as we do so, CFB North Bay will continue to play a key role. We’ll continue to invest in the base, which remains key to the defence of North America."
See: Canadian Air Defence Sector introduces new cloud-based command-and-control system
22 Wing is under the operational command of 1 Canadian Air Division.
22 Wing North Bay is responsible for providing surveillance, identification, control and warning for the aerospace defence of Canada and North America at the Sector Air Operations Centre.
This surveillance and identification of all air traffic approaching North America (200,000 flights per year) is accomplished using radar information received via satellite from the North Warning System across the Canadian Arctic, coastal radars on the east and west coasts of Canada, and Airborne Warning and Control System Aircraft.
All aircraft penetrating this radar coverage are detected and identified by the personnel of 21 Aerospace Control and Warning Squadron who are always on guard 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Unidentified aircraft, aircraft in distress, or aircraft suspected of conducting illegal activities may be intercepted by CF-18 fighters.
This new project will provide Canadian Armed Forces personnel with the infrastructure they need to support the NORAD mission, including Operation NOBLE EAGLE, which deters, detects, and defeats potential threats to US and Canadian airspace 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
The two main operating bases for Canada's fighter aircraft are 4 Wing Cold Lake and 3 Wing Bagotville. As announced in January 2023 , Canada is acquiring a new fleet of 88 F-35 aircraft, which will be known as the CF-35A by the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Following the September 11, 2001, attacks, NORAD established Operation NOBLE EAGLE. Operation NOBLE EAGLE is the name given to all North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) aerospace warning, control, and defense missions in North America. Through Operation NOBLE EAGLE, NORAD deters, detects, and defeats potential threats to US and Canadian airspace 24/7/365. CAF personnel at 3 Wing Bagotville continues to play a critical NORAD role in helping monitor and respond to potential threats.
See: North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) - Canada.ca
