It's an Air Force unit of a type that does not now exist--from the Conservative website:
http://www.conservative.ca/EN/1091/84430
Air Force Expansion in Quebec
July 20, 2007
The Honourable Gordon O'Connor, Minister of National Defence, today announced the formation of a new Air Expeditionary Wing (AEW) at Bagotville, Quebec. This new formation will be able to rapidly deploy as a self-contained unit, providing air power and associated support wherever needed, across Canada or around the world.
"This expeditionary capability marks a new era for our Air Force [emphasis added]. And it will also help ensure the long term life of CFB Bagotville, which has a long and proud tradition," said Minister O'Connor. "Today's announcement once again demonstrates this government's commitment to further strengthening Canadian Forces units located in Quebec, to make up for the previous government's years of neglect," he added.
"The promise that we are fulfilling today with this announcement about the military base at Bagotville is the fruit of hard work," said Minister Jean-Pierre Blackburn. "I am very proud of the positive impact that the arrival of this wing will have throughout Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean."
This represents a fundamental change from the traditional static wing-based structure for the Air Force. The new AEW will be composed of a Command Element, an Operations Support Flight, and a Mission Support Flight. It will train together and deploy as a team, with aircraft and personnel tailored to the specific requirements of an operation [emphasis added--what the hell does that mean and what aircraft?].
"Many of our allies have re-structured their Air Forces in a similar fashion to this expeditionary concept," said Lieutenant-General Lucas. "If Canada's Air Force is to maximize its effectiveness for deployed operations in the security environment of the 21st Century, it must develop a robust expeditionary capability."
A fully staffed and properly supported expeditionary wing will require a total of up to 550 personnel with associated investments in infrastructure and equipment estimated at up to $300M.
Not exactly the silly 2006 campaign promise:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2006/01/03/elxn-harper-bagotville.html
The Conservatives revealed more details about their defence policy on Monday as Stephen Harper said a government led by him would establish an army unit at the Canadian Forces Base in Bagotville, Que.
This was to be a rapid reaction battalion like those pledged (see below) for Goose Bay and Comox.
What about these other silly campaign promises?
1) http://www.conservative.ca/EN/1091/39090
Establish a regular army presence in Newfoundland and Labrador by stationing a new 650 regular force rapid reaction army battalion at CFB Goose Bay for Atlantic Canada requirements.
Maybe a "Northern Sovereignty Support Centre" will have to do for this promise.
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=d4e3d936-d76d-4722-a5bd-192f075d2b15
2) http://www.conservative.ca/EN/1091/36893
Restoring a regular army presence in British Columbia with a new rapid reaction army battalion of 650 regular force personnel, that will be air deployable, to be stationed at CFB Comox
The "Marine Commando Regiment" instead?
http://www.canada.com/components/print.aspx?id=ec597318-4fd0-48ec-9925-a19f9105788b
3) http://www.conservative.ca/EN/1091/35032
Creation of a 650 strong airborne battalion, to be stationed at CFB Trenton, available for rapid or difficult deployments for emergency, humanitarian, or military operations.
JTF 2 to Trenton instead?
http://www.canada.com/components/print.aspx?id=ec597318-4fd0-48ec-9925-a19f9105788b
So in fact none of the promised Army "rapid reaction battalions" will (thank goodness) be created. Rather some sort of new CF unit must however be pledged for each base in order to be seen to be following up on campaign pledges.
What a stupid way to run defence policy and allocate scarce resources.
Mark
Ottawa