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Here's an article that come directly from the Belleville Intelligencer news, confirming the news that the Federal Government is moving ahead with the proposal of re-instating the Airborne Regiment of Canada.
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Expansion depends on private land negotiations
By Luke Hendry
Local News - Wednesday, June 27, 2007 Updated @ 6:21:44 PM
The Intelligencer
CFB TRENTON — The promised creation of an airborne battalion here depends on federal negotiations to buy private land next to the base, Canada's defence minister said Wednesday.
Last fall the government began a study of the possibility of buying 990 acres north of the base for unspecified reasons. One widely-held theory was that the new space was needed to create facilities for the battalion of airborne soldiers the Conservatives promised in their election campaign.
But while several Trenton-related projects — from the purchase of new airplanes to funding for the air force museum — have been announced, there has been little news about the status of the promised airborne unit.
on Wednesday defence minister Gordon O'Connor said the federal public works department is still trying to buy the land.
"We're trying to acquire land at this moment," he said. "We have to wait and see whether we're successful in acquiring the land.
"I want to resolve the land issue first. If and when we acquire that land, then we can announce what we're proposing to do."
One rumour circulating locally reports the government may move the airborne project to CFB Bagotville, Que., should the Trenton deal fail. When asked for comment on the rumour, O'Connor expressed confidence in the land talks.
"From my point of view it's not going to fall through, but I'm hopeful the negotiations with respect to acquiring land will be successful."
O'Connor also revealed the landing date of the first C-17 Globemaster III heavy-lift air transports.
"It will arrive in the late afternoon, early evening of Aug. 9, but I think it will be open to the public on the 10th because it will be too late for any public event," he said. "That's the current schedule; it could change."
Four of the giant planes have been ordered by the government to relieve Canada's reliance upon hiring non-Canadian aircraft to move its gear around the world.
Plans for the new CC-130 Hercules planes also planned for Trenton, however, are less clear.
"The government is still negotiating the contract, and negotiating the industrial benefits" with manufacturer Lockheed-Martin, O'Connor said.
He added the deal will still happen "as long as the contract is signed and it's signed at the proper price and we get the benefits."
O'Connor was in Trenton to announce details of two long-awaited construction projects on the base. Together the plans are expected to bring $34 million and at least 85 jobs to the private sector.
O'Connor said a new air traffic control tower will replace the out-of-date one now in use, and several taxiways and an existing aircraft parking area, or ramp, will be rebuilt to provide permanent parking for the Globemasters.
"We're doing this with great urgency," he said, noting work on the taxiway areas will begin after this long weekend.
That contract has been awarded to Ontario's Miller Paving. The tower contract is expected to be tendered soon, but no date was announced.
"It is the duty of the government to make sure that these courageous men and women receive the support they deserve and need to succeed."
The ramp reconstruction is the first of a three-phase project at the base. The southeastern and western areas are scheduled to be rebuilt.
Three hangars to support existing planes plus the C-17s are expected, as are an upgraded fuel distribution system and a refinishing facility for the Aerospace Telecommunications Engineering Support Squadron.
"It's a good story for the whole area, because it benefits everyone," Quinte West Mayor John Williams said.
"It's only going to get better," he added, referring to the construction projects not yet tendered.
Belleville Mayor Neil Ellis agreed, adding it's good news for Belleville "because our communities are so interwoven."
--------------------------------------------
Expansion depends on private land negotiations
By Luke Hendry
Local News - Wednesday, June 27, 2007 Updated @ 6:21:44 PM
The Intelligencer
CFB TRENTON — The promised creation of an airborne battalion here depends on federal negotiations to buy private land next to the base, Canada's defence minister said Wednesday.
Last fall the government began a study of the possibility of buying 990 acres north of the base for unspecified reasons. One widely-held theory was that the new space was needed to create facilities for the battalion of airborne soldiers the Conservatives promised in their election campaign.
But while several Trenton-related projects — from the purchase of new airplanes to funding for the air force museum — have been announced, there has been little news about the status of the promised airborne unit.
on Wednesday defence minister Gordon O'Connor said the federal public works department is still trying to buy the land.
"We're trying to acquire land at this moment," he said. "We have to wait and see whether we're successful in acquiring the land.
"I want to resolve the land issue first. If and when we acquire that land, then we can announce what we're proposing to do."
One rumour circulating locally reports the government may move the airborne project to CFB Bagotville, Que., should the Trenton deal fail. When asked for comment on the rumour, O'Connor expressed confidence in the land talks.
"From my point of view it's not going to fall through, but I'm hopeful the negotiations with respect to acquiring land will be successful."
O'Connor also revealed the landing date of the first C-17 Globemaster III heavy-lift air transports.
"It will arrive in the late afternoon, early evening of Aug. 9, but I think it will be open to the public on the 10th because it will be too late for any public event," he said. "That's the current schedule; it could change."
Four of the giant planes have been ordered by the government to relieve Canada's reliance upon hiring non-Canadian aircraft to move its gear around the world.
Plans for the new CC-130 Hercules planes also planned for Trenton, however, are less clear.
"The government is still negotiating the contract, and negotiating the industrial benefits" with manufacturer Lockheed-Martin, O'Connor said.
He added the deal will still happen "as long as the contract is signed and it's signed at the proper price and we get the benefits."
O'Connor was in Trenton to announce details of two long-awaited construction projects on the base. Together the plans are expected to bring $34 million and at least 85 jobs to the private sector.
O'Connor said a new air traffic control tower will replace the out-of-date one now in use, and several taxiways and an existing aircraft parking area, or ramp, will be rebuilt to provide permanent parking for the Globemasters.
"We're doing this with great urgency," he said, noting work on the taxiway areas will begin after this long weekend.
That contract has been awarded to Ontario's Miller Paving. The tower contract is expected to be tendered soon, but no date was announced.
"It is the duty of the government to make sure that these courageous men and women receive the support they deserve and need to succeed."
The ramp reconstruction is the first of a three-phase project at the base. The southeastern and western areas are scheduled to be rebuilt.
Three hangars to support existing planes plus the C-17s are expected, as are an upgraded fuel distribution system and a refinishing facility for the Aerospace Telecommunications Engineering Support Squadron.
"It's a good story for the whole area, because it benefits everyone," Quinte West Mayor John Williams said.
"It's only going to get better," he added, referring to the construction projects not yet tendered.
Belleville Mayor Neil Ellis agreed, adding it's good news for Belleville "because our communities are so interwoven."