CFB Suffield turns 75 TERRI EGER


Canadian Forces Base Suffield was established in 1971, alongside the Defence Research Centre.


“The mission of CFB Suffield is to provide a world-class, sustainable range and training area that enables the Canadian Armed Forces, DRDC – Suffield Research Centre, BATUS and other potential users to achieve their mandates through effective stewardship of all the range training areas, infrastructure and equipment,” said Base Commander L Col. John Scott.


Base Commander L Col. John Scott.


Located 50 kilometres southwest of Medicine Hat, CFB Suffield encompasses 2,700 square kilometres of land making it the largest military training area in Canada. Due to its vast size, the highest level of live fire military training exercises can be performed at the base unlike anywhere else in the country. The base employs 607 civilians and is home to 365 permanent military personnel from Canada and the United Kingdom.


In addition to military activity, the base supports local agriculture by hosting 3,500 cattle which graze on site each year. While grazing is an obvious benefit to the cattle, they also assist the military by keeping grass levels at a manageable height and reducing the risk of fire.


CFB Suffield is also home to more than $4 billion worth of oil and gas infrastructure.


“The majority is reinforced subterranean infrastructure designed to withstand military training,” explained Scott. “Above ground infrastructure is restricted to the fringes of the training area.”


Economic Stabilizer 80


CFB Suffield acts as an economic stabilizer in the region according to the base commander.


“Training and research activities bring in more than $146 million annually into the local economy,” said Scott.


Money is spent locally on the purchase of fuel and food as well as personal purchases by staff for them and their families.


CFB Suffield is an active member of the Medicine Hat Chamber of Commerce and acts as a link to doing business with the federal government.


The base is also the land owner playing host to the Province of Alberta’s elk herd. At the turn of the century between 400 and 500 elk were relocated from Elk Island National Park to the base, an area they had traditionally roamed. Due to the enclosed nature of the base and the lack of natural predators, the elk population had reached approximately 7,000 by 2010 and the Elk Herd Reduction Program was initiated in 2013. During this past season, 1,500 elk had been removed from the land and a provincial led elk census is slated for this spring.


Scott explained that the sensitive nature of the grassland of the base requires careful monitoring. The area is home to a herd of pronghorn which require the assistance of large hooved animals to break up the soil so they are able to find food. While the elk are important in keeping the balance in this ecosystem, when the population increases too much it causes additional problems including the over use of the land. CFB Suffield will continue to work with the provincial government and provide assistance as the herd is monitored.


Environmental Steward


CFB Suffield is located on Arid Prairie Grassland that encompasses sand dunes and other variations in land that make it “great tank country.” However, the land is sensitive to over use.


“All of our activities are assessed for environmental impact and sustainability by a team of range sustainability biologists and reclamation experts who monitor and manage the variety of land user activities,” said Scott.


In addition to the area that is used for training exercises and other base needs, CFB Suffield is also home to a National Wildlife Area. Established in 2003 to help protect the last


vestige of native prairie, the area encompasses 450 square kilometres, half the size of Prince Edward Island. This area includes more than 1,100 catalogued species, 15 of which are at risk and is out of bounds to military training.


Defence Research and Development


Canada – Suffield Research Centre The DRDC – Suffield Research Centre was established in 1941 to prepare allied forces for the Second World War.


“Our mission is to provide the Department of Defence, the Canadian Armed Forces and other government departments, as well as public safety and national security communities the knowledge and technological advantage to defend and protect Canada’s interests at home and abroad,” explained Gary Geling, Centre Director.


The centre works to protect troops against chemical and biological weapons as well as explosives in a number of ways. Through improvements developed at the base, the bio- chemical protective suits used by troops are more functional. Geling explained that previous suits were very heavy and restricting. While they protected the soldier from potentially deadly contaminants around them, the individual was unable to wear them for long periods of time due to the risk of overheating. Staff at DRDC developed a lighter suit that addressed the issue of heat exhaustion by the wearer making it more functional.


In addition to creating physical protective gear, the agency provides scientific analysis and advice.


“If troops run into chemical agents we provide advice on what they are up against, what they need to be prepared for,” said Geling. “Just being able to tell them what the threat is and how to work through it is important.”


The centre provides decontamination for a wide range of things including skin, equipment and sensitive electronics.


Gary Geling


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