1 Wing Kingston
Provides integrated tactical aviation airpower effects to the Canadian Armed Forces in support of Canada’s national and international objectives.
Caption
Canadian Armed Forces members of the Land Task Force deployed on Operation NANOOK-NUNAKPUT disembark a CH-147F Chinook helicopter from 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron at an observation point located on Victoria Island in Nunavut on August 25, 2024.
Photo: Master Corporal Alana Morin, Joint Task Force - North, Yellowknife.
Caption
RCAF members conduct Forward Arming and Refuelling Point training with a CH-146 Griffon during the Advanced Tactical Aviation Course at the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range, 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alberta on April 19, 2025.
Photo: Corporal Sera Lamming, Canadian Army Imagery Technician.
Caption
Members of the Multinational Battlegroup Latvia Reconnaissance element conduct aerial insertion training with support of a 1 Wing CH-146 Griffon from the Tactical Aviation Detachment at Military Base Ādaži, on August 28, 2024.
Photo: Multinational Brigade Latvia Imagery (Canadian Imagery Technician).
Caption
Corporal Riley Coulson operates a C6 Medium Machine Gun aboard a CH-146 Griffon during Exercise GANDER GUNNER, 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alberta on October 21, 2025.
Photo: Aviator Marcos Resch, Canadian Armed Forces.
Caption
Canadian Army Advanced Warfare Centre conducts Helicopter Insertion Master course training from a 1 Wing CH-147F Chinook at Garrison Petawawa on April 26, 2024.
Photo: Corporal Danielle Comisso, Garrison Petawawa Imaging.
Caption
A CH-147F Chinook inserts troops within the Petawawa Range Training Area as part of Operation BAT HORIZON, a Tactical Aviation capability demonstration hosted by 1 Wing, on August 13, 2025.
Photo: Corporal Larry Stiver, Garrison Petawawa Imaging.
Caption
Master Corporal Bob Szijarto inspects a CH-146 Griffon after flight during Exercise GANDER GUNNER, 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alberta on October 18, 2025.
Photo: Aviator Marcos Resch, Canadian Armed Forces.
Caption
Canadian Armed Forces members embark on a CH-147F to support air assault training during the Advanced Tactical Aviation Course at the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range, 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alberta, on May 1, 2025.
Photo: Corporal Sera Lamming, Canadian Army Imagery Technician.
Caption
Members from 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron and 2nd Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, conduct Helicopter Under Slung Operations with a CH-147F Chinook during Exercise FROZEN GUNNER, at Garrison Petawawa on February 21, 2025.
Photo: Sargeant Aydyn Neifer, Garrison Petawawa Imaging.
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About
1 Wing Headquarters is located at Canadian Forces Base Kingston in Kingston, Ontario. It is under the operational command of 1 Canadian Air Division.
It is responsible for six tactical helicopter squadrons across Canada. 1 Wing provides reconnaissance, mobility, and fire power in support of domestic and international operations.
Squadrons
| Name | City | Province | Aircraft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 400 Tactical Helicopter Squadron | Borden | Ontario | CH-146 Griffon |
| 403 Helicopter Operational Training Squadron | Oromocto | New Brunswick | CH-146 Griffon |
| 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron | Edmonton | Alberta | CH-146 Griffon |
| 430 Tactical Helicopter Squadron | Courcelette | Quebec | CH-146 Griffon |
| 438 Tactical Helicopter Squadron | St-Hubert | Quebec | CH-146 Griffon |
| 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron | Petawawa | Ontario | CH-147F Chinook |
Command Team
Commander
Colonel
François Lavertu, CD
Chief Warrant Officer
Chief Warrant Officer Guy Thivierge, MMM, CD
Aircraft
Badge and motto
PACEM ARMATUS AMO (Peaceful yet armed)
The bat is known for its ability as an agile hunter that flies during the night or day. The radar reflector is indicative of the technological elements in aerial warfare.
History
The oldest Wing in Canadian military aviation, No. 1 Canadian Wing Royal Air Force was formed in 1919 and disbanded in 1920. Over the following decades, 1 Wing was re-instated and moved several times. Read more about the history of 1 Wing Kingston.
Related links
Contact
1 Wing Headquarters
Sergeant KS Smith CD Building
Canadian Forces Base Kingston
PO Box 17000 Stn Forces
Kingston ON K7K 7B4
Public Affairs
Email: 1WPA-1REAP@forces.gc.ca
Phone: 613-541-5010 Ext 721-8251
Fax: 613-540-8222
Flying a drone
Civilian drone operations within 3 nautical miles (5.6 kilometers) of an aerodrome under the authority of the Department of National Defence (MND) requires pre-authorization. For more information about these zones and how to properly access them, please consult the National Research Council of Canada Drone Site Selection tool and section 3.2.35 of the Remotely Piloted Aircraft chapter of Transport Canada Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM). Civilian drone operators with the required licence and registered drone who are seeking to fly within a Wing aerodrome must contact the Wing in advance for approval.
