Unity is Strength: 14 Construction Engineer Squadron Joins 2 Wing!

January 30, 2025 - Royal Canadian Air Force

Unity is Strength: 14 Construction Engineer Squadron Joins 2 Wing!

Captain Nabil Allou

Public Affairs Officer, 2 Wing

When it makes sense to realign capabilities, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) makes it happen.

From November 26 to 29, 2024, Colonel Steeve Belley, 2 Wing Commander, accompanied by 2 Wing Chief Warrant Officer, Hugo Prud'Homme, Lieutenant Colonel Danny Gagné-Rainville, Deputy Commander, and Lieutenant Colonel Isabelle Rochon, 2 Mission Support Squadron Commanding Officer, visited Greenwood and Bridgewater, Nova Scotia. The purpose of this visit was to meet Colonel Luc Vachon, 14 Wing Commander, and Major Mandy Landolt, 14 Construction Engineer Squadron (CES) Commanding Officer, to officially transfer 14 CES from 14 Wing to 2 Wing.

The mandate of 14 CES is to recruit, train, and deploy reservists to support RCAF operations. This mandate aligns closely with that of 2 Wing, which provides personnel and equipment on short notice, in support of expeditionary air operations. In contrast, 14 Wing's mandate focuses on maritime patrol, search and rescue, transport, and providing operational support for Canada's Defence Mission.

This transfer marks a significant step in strengthening 2 Wing's capabilities, as 14 CES complements 4 CES located in Cold Lake, Alberta and supports 2 Wing's continued commitment to RCAF expeditionary operations.

With the addition of 14 CES, 2 Wing increases their establishment by 136 personnel. This is roughly an increase of 25% in staff power, thereby enhancing 2 Wing's ability to support deployments. On average, 14 CES has 5% of personnel deployed and maintains up to 10% of members away from their unit on training activities to be able to deploy. This aligns with 2 Wing's responsibility to rapidly deploying into theater.

14 CES includes four flights across Canada: in Gander, Newfoundland and Aldergrove, British Columbia, and Pictou, Nova Scotia, as well as in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia – where its headquarters is located. The squadron specializes in recruiting, training, and deploying reserve personnel who are highly skilled in construction engineering and logistical support.

"This transfer marks a new chapter for 14 Wing," stated Major Landolt, Commanding Officer of the squadron. "We are thrilled to contribute to the collective capability of 2 Wing in supporting the rapid deployments of the RCAF and enhancing its operational readiness!"