Canadian Joint Warfare Centre Relocation Project Underway

March 22, 2024 - Defence Stories

Caption

The Canadian Joint Warfare Centre will soon be moving to a new location at the Shirley’s Bay Campus in Ottawa and Commanding Officer, Colonel Chris Horner and Chief Warrant Officer, Stephane Gaudreau lend a hand and prepare to destroy a wall in the soon to be renovated building.

The Canadian Joint Warfare Centre (CJWC) has kicked off the first phase of a groundbreaking project to construct its long-awaited new home, marking an exciting milestone for the organization. Currently situated in temporary buildings at the Shirley's Bay Research campus in Ottawa's western region, the CJWC has outgrown its initial temporary arrangement, which has been in place since the early 2000s. After nearly two decades, the organization is elated to witness the commencement of the construction of a purpose-built facility, addressing the growing needs of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).

Dedicated to enhancing the CAF's operational capabilities, the CJWC serves as a center of excellence, employing best practices, innovative concepts, and cutting-edge technology. The center encompasses various sections, including Joint Innovation, the Joint Operations Fusion Laboratory, Joint Wargaming, Experimentation & Simulation, Joint Warfare Development, Joint Warfare Centre Sciences, Training Management and Development, and Joint Research and Analysis.

The ambitious project involves the transformation of the existing "brick and mortar" buildings at the Shirley's Bay Campus. Although a multi-year, multi-part endeavor, its completion promises to foster improved collaboration and significantly enhance the CJWC's efficiency and capability in fulfilling its mandate.

Colonel Chris Horner, the Commander of the Canadian Joint Warfare Centre, expressed his excitement, stating, "I am incredibly excited to finally see this project getting off to a smashing start! This will truly improve CJWC’s ability to harness modern, fit-for-purpose collaborative workspaces, laboratories, and training facilities to expertly support the growing requirements of the Joint Force and the broader CAF."

The renovated buildings will feature upgraded equipment and capabilities for the Canadian Forces Experimental Network (CFXNet), which serves as the technical backbone for CAF synthetic training nationwide.

Furthermore, the new facility will house the Joint Operations Fusion Lab (JOFL), positioned as the catalyst for the CAF's command and control (C2), Joint Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (JISR), and Targeting Enterprises. The JOFL will play a pivotal role in delivering effective operational solutions through informed thought, analysis, trials, and experimentation. Additionally, it is slated to serve as a test bed for the National Defence Operations and Intelligence Centre in the coming years.

This strategic initiative is not only about meeting immediate needs but also about ensuring the CJWC's long-term ability to contribute to the CAF's operational success. With the construction underway, the organization looks forward to operating out of a modern-day facility that not only supports technical innovation and experimental development but also fosters a safe and healthy workplace for its dedicated team.