12 Wing Shearwater
The centre of naval aviation in Canada. It provides maritime helicopter support to the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) for missions at home and around the globe.
Caption
Corporal Andrew Brandt signals to CH-148 Cyclone helicopter, Avalanche, to return to the flight deck in order to perform deck evolutions, onboard His Majesty's Canadian Ship (HMCS) Ville de Québec, while sailing as part of the UK-led Carrier Strike Group, during Operation HORIZON, in the North Atlantic Ocean, on April 26, 2025.
Photo: Corporal Brendan Gamache, Formation Imaging Services.
Caption
Air Force Air Weapons System Technicians at 12 Wing practice torpedo loading and weapons systems maintenance on the CH-148 Cyclone.
Photo: Aviator Rebecca Mainardi, Imagery Technician.
Caption
Members of the Royal Canadian Air Force prepare to deploy for training aboard His Majesty's Canadian Ship (HMCS) Ville de Québec in multi-ship intermediate preparation at 423 Squadron, 12 Wing Shearwater.
Photo: Master Corporal Stéphanie Labossière, Imagery Technician.
Caption
12 Wing Pipes and Drums band march onto the 423 Squadron Hangar Floor during the local Royal Canadian Air Force Centennial Gala Dinner.
Photo: Master Corporal Djalma Vuong-De Ramos, Formation Imaging Services.
Caption
CH-148 Cyclone taking off and flying in Shearwater.
Photo: Sailor Second Class Melissa Gonzalez, Imagery Technician.
Caption
Master Corporal Knowles salutes during the 12 Wing Change of Command Ceremony on August 8, 2025.
Photo: Corporal Olivia Mainville, 12 Wing Imaging Services.
Caption
CH-148 Cyclone, tail number 802, the last Cyclone to be delivered to the Canadian Armed Forces, arrives at 12 Wing Shearwater, Nova Scotia, on September 22, 2025.
Photo: Corporal Samuel Martell, 12 Wing Imaging.
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About
12 Wing is located in Shearwater, Nova Scotia. It is under the operational command of 1 Canadian Air Division.
It is responsible for providing maritime helicopter support to the RCN with Helicopter Air Detachments (HELAIRDETS) for missions at home and around the globe.
Personnel and aircraft are deployed around the world, primarily as part of HELAIRDETs that deploy with RCN ships on the east and west coasts. The personnel integrate with the ship’s crew and the embarked helicopter acts as an extension of the ship to enhances and extend its sensor and weapons delivery capability.
Squadrons
| Name | City | Province | Aircraft |
|---|---|---|---|
| 406 Maritime Operational Training Squadron | Halifax | Nova Scotia | CH-148 Cyclone |
| 423 Maritime Helicopter Squadron | Halifax | Nova Scotia | CH-148 Cyclone |
| 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron | Victoria | British Columbia | CH-148 Cyclone |
| 12 Air Maintenance Squadron | Halifax | Nova Scotia | CH-148 Cyclone |
| 12 Operations Support Squadron | Halifax | Nova Scotia | Non-flying |
| 12 Wing Air Reserve Flight | Halifax | Nova Scotia | Non-flying |
Command Team
Commander
Colonel
J.T.M. Willis, OMM, CD
Chief Warrant Officer
Chief Warrant Officer
James R. McCarron, MMM, CD
Aircraft
Badge and motto
Supra Mare Volamus (We fly over the sea)
The wavy barrulets represent the coastal waters of the Atlantic signifying its global geography, and the shearwater portrays the unit's location.
Honorary Colonel Joyce Carter
An Honorary Colonel is a distinguished civilian appointed by the Minister of National Defence to strengthen relationships with local, professional, and civic communities. The role is honorary and advisory in nature, providing support to the local Commander through engagement in ceremonial functions, advocacy, and the promotion of RCAF traditions, while contributing to the well-being of military personnel and their families.
History
Shearwater’s history reflects the evolution of flying in Canada and indeed the growth of Canada’s Air Force. 12 Wing Shearwater celebrated its 100th Anniversary as an air base in 2018 and is one of the oldest military airfields in Canada, second only to Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Borden. Read more about the history of 12 Wing Shearwater.
Related links
Contact
12 Wing Shearwater Headquarter
PO Box 99000 Stn Forces
Halifax NS B3K 5X5
Phone: 902-427-0550
Public Affairs
Phone: 902-720-1996
Email: 12WPublicAffairs/AffairesPubliques12Esc@forces.gc.ca
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.
