8 AMS
Encyclopedia
8 Air Maintenance Squadron is a Royal Canadian Air Force
unit. Based at CFB Trenton
, it is responsible for maintaining and servicing the Canadian Forces CC-130 and CC-150 aircraft fleets.
served as an Honorary Colonel for the Squadron. On the tenth anniversary of the Motorcycle Ride for Dad Rostad took part as a motorcyclist and commented with, "It really feels like home here [CFB Trenton] today. I am so proud of the time I spent here at 8 Wing as honorary colonel of 8 AMS. I am pleased and honoured to be here with you all. We are having a great ride to celebrate our 10th anniversary, and we are doing lots of good to help raise awareness for prostate cancer and for our military families across the country."
The current commanding officer of 8AMS is Lieutenant Colonel J.T. Fernandes, who took over from LtCol A.M. Agnew on 23 July 2010. In 2005, Fernandes was posted to 8AMS at CFB Trenton. Fernandes is the current chairman of the Trenval Community Future Development Corporation and Industry Canada non-profit bank that promotes local economic development. Last June, Fernandes completed the Joint Command and Staff program through the Canadian Forces College and its new distance learning program.
(SAR) assets. The Squadron is continually heavily tasked to support 8 Wing's worldwide airlift and SAR missions. The Squadron also supports Canadian Airlines International in maintaining the CC-150 Polaris and services a variety of Canadian and foreign transient Aircraft.
, during his visit to the wing in April 2008. The actions for which he was recognized took place in 2007 while Cpl Thorold was stationed at CFB Gagetown
. One of his children's friends was with the family at a park. Cpl Thorold was notified by one of his children that the friend was having a seizure. When he arrived at the play structure he noticed the child was not breathing and had vomit in his mouth. He then performed CPR on the child until an ambulance arrived. The child was still unconscious, but was breathing and was later discharged and suffered no permanent damage.
. The squadron mainly provided support and supply to Camp Mirage
. During one of the last rotations through Camp Mirage the average serviceability of aircraft maintained by the squadron was 86%. When deployed to Camp Mirage the maintenance technicians spend a third of their time at Kandahar Airfield
in Afghanistan to help them get the operational picture. Since October 2001, following the attacks of 9/11, 8 Air Maintenance Squadron had been on rotations to Camp Mirage.
The CC-150 Polaris is a second-hand Airbus A310 transport that was purchased in 1992 for use as a strategic transports and air-to-air tankers to replace the Boeing CC-137. Two have been converted to tankers and are designated the CC-150T. These aircraft are the primary long distance transport aircraft used by the Royal Canadian Air Force. There are five of these aircraft currently in service.
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
unit. Based at CFB Trenton
CFB Trenton
Canadian Forces Base Trenton , is a Canadian Forces base located northeast of Trenton, Ontario. It is operated as an air force base by the Royal Canadian Air Force and is the hub for air transport operations in Canada and abroad...
, it is responsible for maintaining and servicing the Canadian Forces CC-130 and CC-150 aircraft fleets.
History
No. 8 Air Maintenance Squadron (8 AMS) traces its roots back to the beginning of flying operations at CFB Trenton. However, it was not until April 1, 1993, that 8 AMS was formed as an element of 8 Wing. Musician and television host Wayne RostadWayne Rostad
Wayne Victor Rostad, CM is a Canadian musician and television presenter.In 1969, he became a radio host for CJET in Smiths Falls, Ontario...
served as an Honorary Colonel for the Squadron. On the tenth anniversary of the Motorcycle Ride for Dad Rostad took part as a motorcyclist and commented with, "It really feels like home here [CFB Trenton] today. I am so proud of the time I spent here at 8 Wing as honorary colonel of 8 AMS. I am pleased and honoured to be here with you all. We are having a great ride to celebrate our 10th anniversary, and we are doing lots of good to help raise awareness for prostate cancer and for our military families across the country."
The current commanding officer of 8AMS is Lieutenant Colonel J.T. Fernandes, who took over from LtCol A.M. Agnew on 23 July 2010. In 2005, Fernandes was posted to 8AMS at CFB Trenton. Fernandes is the current chairman of the Trenval Community Future Development Corporation and Industry Canada non-profit bank that promotes local economic development. Last June, Fernandes completed the Joint Command and Staff program through the Canadian Forces College and its new distance learning program.
Mission and Role
8 Air Maintenance Squadron is responsible for providing mission capable Aircraft through safe, efficient maintenance and support to Canadian Forces operations worldwide. 8 Air Maintenance Squadron provides mission-capable heavy transport aircraft and support to Canadian Forces operations worldwide. 8AMS manages and maintains all Hercules aircraft flown by the 424, 426, and 436 squadrons. The Squadron staff are responsible for the maintenance of the unit's fleet of airlift and search and rescueSearch and rescue
Search and rescue is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, mostly based upon terrain considerations...
(SAR) assets. The Squadron is continually heavily tasked to support 8 Wing's worldwide airlift and SAR missions. The Squadron also supports Canadian Airlines International in maintaining the CC-150 Polaris and services a variety of Canadian and foreign transient Aircraft.
Facilities
Housed in 56,000 sq metres of hangar space and employing a multi-million dollar inventory of modern equipment, tools and test instruments, the Squadron provides 24 hour a day, seven days a week coverage and supports world-wide flying operations with mobile repair parties and deployed maintenance teams. Organized as a central maintenance facility, the unit performs first and second line maintenance on CC-130 Hercules Aircraft. As well, the squadron performs second line maintenance on CC-130 Aircraft and associated components from its sister units of 435 (T) Squadron, Winnipeg, and 413 (T&R) Squadron, Greenwood.Commendation
Aviation Systems Technician Corporal Ed Thorold distinguished himself during one of his days off, not on the battlefield. He has truly distinguished himself in one very selfless act, so much so that the Chief of the Defence Staff acknowledged his heroism. Then Chief of the Air Staff, Lieutenant-General Angus Watt, presented Cpl Thorold with a CDS Commendation, on behalf of General Rick HillierRick Hillier
General Rick Hillier, CMM, MSC, CD , is the former Chief of the Defence Staff of the Canadian Forces. He held this appointment from February 4, 2005 to July 1, 2008. He retired on July 1, 2008, and was replaced by former Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff Walter Natynczyk...
, during his visit to the wing in April 2008. The actions for which he was recognized took place in 2007 while Cpl Thorold was stationed at CFB Gagetown
CFB Gagetown
Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, referred to as CFB Gagetown is a large Canadian Forces Base located in southwestern New Brunswick.- Construction of the base :...
. One of his children's friends was with the family at a park. Cpl Thorold was notified by one of his children that the friend was having a seizure. When he arrived at the play structure he noticed the child was not breathing and had vomit in his mouth. He then performed CPR on the child until an ambulance arrived. The child was still unconscious, but was breathing and was later discharged and suffered no permanent damage.
Afghanistan
8 Air Maintenance Squadron has served overseas in AfghanistanAfghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
. The squadron mainly provided support and supply to Camp Mirage
Camp Mirage
Camp Mirage is the codename for a former Canadian Forces forward logistics facility located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The facility was established in late-December 2001 and, though not officially acknowledged by the Canadian Forces, is considered an "open secret"...
. During one of the last rotations through Camp Mirage the average serviceability of aircraft maintained by the squadron was 86%. When deployed to Camp Mirage the maintenance technicians spend a third of their time at Kandahar Airfield
Kandahar Airfield
Kandahar International Airport is located 10 miles south-east of Kandahar City in Afghanistan. The airport was built by the United States in the 1960s, under the United States Agency for International Development program. It may have been intended to be used as a possible U.S...
in Afghanistan to help them get the operational picture. Since October 2001, following the attacks of 9/11, 8 Air Maintenance Squadron had been on rotations to Camp Mirage.
Exercise Green Flag
Since 2006 Exercise Green Flag has been an annual event that is all about tactical airlift training. The exercise is held at the U.S. Little Rock Air Force Base in Arkansas. 8 Wing Trenton is deployed with many personnel, including medics, evaluators, supply technicians, traffic technicians, communications specialists, and maintenance personnel. 8 Air Maintenance Squadron has been deployed to join the exercise as a team since the name was changed from Exercise Air Warrior. Exercise Green Flag is the air mobility portion of the training conducted at the Joint Readiness Training Centre (JRTC) in Fort Polk, Louisiana.Aircraft
The CC-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft and it has been in service since 1960. It is the predecessor to the upgraded CC-130J Super Hercules. The Super Hercules is a medium transport aircraft that has been in service with the Canadian Forces since 17 August 2011. The nineteen CC-130E Hercules are being replaced by seventeen CC-130J Super Hercules aircraft and this replacement will be finalized no later than April 2012.The CC-150 Polaris is a second-hand Airbus A310 transport that was purchased in 1992 for use as a strategic transports and air-to-air tankers to replace the Boeing CC-137. Two have been converted to tankers and are designated the CC-150T. These aircraft are the primary long distance transport aircraft used by the Royal Canadian Air Force. There are five of these aircraft currently in service.