Canada’s fifth Globemaster touches down at 8 Wing Trenton

The Royal Canadian Air Force welcomed its fifth CC-177 Globemaster aircraft Monday morning at 8 Wing CFB Trenton – Canada’s largest air base.

Defence Minister Jason Kenney (second from left) joined Lieutenant-General Yvan Blondin, commander of the Royal Canadian Air Force, to witness the inaugural landing, at 8 Wing Trenton, of the RCAF’s fifth CC-177 Globemaster III in Canada. -Canadian Forces photos

The Globemaster provides everything from the rapid delivery of troops and cargo transport to oversized combat equipment to anywhere in the world.

Defence Minister Jason Kenney joined Lieutenant-General Yvan Blondin, Commander of the RCAF, to witness the aircraft’s inaugural landing in Canada. The aircraft, tail number 705, augments the current fleet of four CC-177 Globemasters operated by 429 Squadron and based at 8 Wing Trenton.

“Our five CC-177 Globemasters give Canada a huge advantage in projecting our presence around the world,” said Kenney. “In the past, Canada was completely dependent on other countries for strategic airlift capability. Now we can move personnel and equipment around the globe in short order. This is essential for our ability to respond quickly to urgent military and humanitarian missions.”

Using resources the government had previously set aside for National Defence, the cost is estimated at $415 million, which includes the aircraft, spare engine, ancillary equipment, specialized systems, project costs and contingency for exchange rate fluctuation. The cost for 12 years of integrated in-service support for the additional aircraft is estimated at $30 million.

The additional Globemaster is expected to extend the life expectancy of the entire fleet by about seven and a half years.

The current fleet of CC-177s has been ferrying supplies and troops to establish and resupply the Canadian camp in Kuwait, through Operation Impact. It has also delivered essential material to CF-18s deployed in support of NATO as part of Operation Reassurance and the international response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

The CC-177s are also used to support domestic operations, including more than 75 missions in support of Canada’s North, including delivery of 1.5 million litres of fuel, seven million pounds of equipment and 3,120 personnel to locations such as Alert, Iqaluit, and Resolute Bay.

“We’ve chalked up enormous successes with our first four Globemasters,” said Lt.-Gen. Yvan Blondin, commander, RCAF. “With the arrival of our new Globemaster, we will be more agile, more flexible, and better able to respond when the Government of Canada calls on the RCAF.”