Members of the Standing Committee on National Defence, ladies and gentlemen, I'm honoured to extend greetings on behalf of the men and women of 8 Wing at Canadian Forces Base Trenton. From delivering supplies to the High Arctic to airlifting troops, equipment, and humanitarian loads worldwide, 8 Wing takes pride in being the hub of Canada's air mobility operations and remains committed to contributing to the defence of North America.
As a host of NORAD's quick reaction alert, 8 Wing Trenton provides essential ground support so that the CF-18 Hornets can be airborne immediately to protect our airspace from potential air threats. 8 Wing at Canadian Forces Base Trenton is at the forefront of Canadian military airlift, with its fleets of tactical and strategic transport and search and rescue aircraft. We are responsible for search and rescue operations over a large area under the jurisdiction of the joint rescue coordination centre at Trenton.
The 424 Squadron, which operates the CH-146 Griffon helicopter and the CC-130H Hercules fleet, has been serving Canadians within the 10,000,000 square kilometres of the Trenton search and rescue region, comprising most of the province of Quebec, all of Ontario, the prairie provinces, and the entire Arctic.
Over the years the 424 Squadron members have committed themselves to saving lives and have supported international relief missions such as in Haiti and in Jamaica. In December 2013 a crew from 424 Squadron rescued a crane operator who was trapped above a massive building fire in Kingston, Ontario, which gained global coverage. In 2014 the squadron launched more than 170 search and rescue missions.
We also have a major air disaster capability, also known as MAJAID, which is readily deployable when needed. In August 2011 while on exercise during Operation Nanook, the MAJAID capability was tasked to help the victims of the First Air flight 6560 crash.
Daily flights to the four corners of the globe are routine for 8 Wing, which is highly responsive to international events. The CC-177 Globemaster operated by 429 Squadron, the CC-130J Hercules operated by 436 Squadron, the CC-150 Polaris aircraft operated by 437 Squadron, and the CC-144 Challenger aircraft operated by 412 Squadron supported by air movement professionals from 2 Air Movements Squadron have provided essential airlift support to Canadian Armed Forces operations within Canada and abroad.
Some of these missions include our 10-year mission in Afghanistan, Operation Mobile in Libya, Air Task Force Mali, and most recently our air bridge and sustainment flight support to various Canadian Armed Forces missions, such as Operation Reassurance in eastern Europe, Operation Sirona in Sierra Leone, Operation Calument in Egypt, Operation Impact in Kuwait, and Operation Nanook in support of Canada's Arctic sovereignty. 8 Wing looks forward to the upcoming delivery of a fifth C-17 Globemaster aircraft. This incredible strategic airlift capability permits the Canadian Armed Forces to fly higher, heavier, faster, farther, and deeper in support of domestic and global operations.
Along with higher profile deployments, aircraft and personnel from 8 Wing Trenton are involved with resupplying Canadian Forces Station Alert, the world's most northerly inhabited location and a station that upholds Canadian sovereignty in the Arctic. We also provide the equipment warehouse for the Disaster Assistance Response Team, the DART. This quick response team has provided humanitarian aid to Pakistan following a devastating earthquake in 2005 during Operation Plateau; to Sri Lanka in 2005 following the tsunami that hit the region during Operation Structure; to Turkey in 1999 after a severe earthquake during Operation Torrent; to Haiti after a devastating earthquake in 2010 during Operation Hestia; and to the Phillippines in 2013 to help the victims of Typhoon Haiyan during Operation Renaissance.
Currently there are approximately 3,200 regular force, 600 reserve force, and 500 civilian members who make up the workforce at 8 Wing at Canadian Forces Base Trenton. We are honoured to serve Canadians and take pride as the home of Canada's air mobility forces, and as a centre of excellence for global operations.
8 Wing at Canadian Forces Base Trenton remains committed to the defence of North America and the promotion of Canadian interests worldwide.
Thank you.