YEG to be named home base for new CC-330 Husky fleet

YEG President Myron Keehn says that the Edmonton International Airport has been selected to become the home base for the Royal Canadian Air Force's CC-330 Husky Fleet.

The new fleet will act as support aircraft for the RCAF's new fighter jets, allowing for air-to-air re-fueling, strategic transport, aeromedical evaluation, and more. According to the federal government, the fleet will be capable of re-fueling a minimum of six fighter aircraft over the Atlantic Ocean in a single leg. Keehn says that YEG was selected to house the Husky fleet following a lengthy RFP process.

"We're really proud to say that we're the selected base plan site for the new air force CC-330 Husky fleet," said Keehn in conversation with the One. "The reintroduction of the air force in the Edmonton metro region, with a base here at the airport, we're really excited to have that announcement made by the federal government shortly."

Keehn notes that the latest developments come as the Edmonton region's contributions to national defence continue to grow through a collaborative partnership known as the "Edmonton Regional Defence Alliance". The partnership between the University of Alberta, NAIT, Alberta's industrial heartland, and Edmonton Global was created to bolster the region's defence proposition. Keehn says having the Husky fleet housed at YEG will provide another invaluable opportunity for the airport and greater region.

"You're going to see a lot of announcements coming out of defence initiatives in the Edmonton metro region," said Keehn. "We really are the base now; we have over 12,000 troops in the Edmonton region today; more will be coming and Edmonton will play a key role in solidifying not only our security but the security of northern Canada."

This comes as the Government of Canada continues to invest in its Arctic defences amid a rise in geopolitical tensions involving countries such as Russia and China. This past weekend, Prime Minister Mark Carney attended NATO's Cold Response training exercise that involved more than 30,000 troops, sailors and aircrew.