15 Wing Moose Jaws long standing legacy of flight training will continue into the next quarter century, as the base is among three locations chosen for an $11.2 billion Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) training initiative.

The 25 year contract was awarded to SkyAlyne Canada Limited Partnership for the RCAF’s Future Air Crew Training (FAcT) program. The investment will be distributed between 15 Wing, Southport (Portage La Prairie), and 17 Wing Winnipeg.

Moose Jaw Mayor Clive Tulley released a statement following the announcement, congratulating SkyAlyne and commenting on the importance of RCAF training to the community.

“15 Wing is a key facet of Moose Jaw’s identity, and we’re excited to know that training operations at our military base have been secured for another 25 years,” he said in his statement.

“On behalf of City Council, we congratulate SkyAlyne on being awarded this contract, and we thank the Government of Canada for this major investment that will be #NotoriouslyImpactful to our economy and perhaps open other economic opportunities.”

According to the company, the FAcT program will see SkyAlyne and the RCAF design, develop, and deliver a comprehensive training and support system for pilots, air combat systems officers and airborne electronic sensor operators.

The new program will include utilizing virtual reality and ground based training systems in addition to live flying.

The funding for FAcT also includes the purchase of 71 new training aircraft, ranging from single and multi-engine turboprops to helicopters.

SkyAlyne acts as a joint venture between CAE and KF Aerospace.

“We’re grateful to have the opportunity to deliver top-tier training solutions that align with the dynamic needs of the Canadian Armed Forces,” SkyAlyne President France Hébert said in the announcement.

“This is a milestone moment for us and all the companies on the SkyAlyne Team, highlighting our unwavering commitment to excellence and innovation.”

The procurement for the FAcT program began all the way back in 2013 with preliminary consultations.

On June 30, 2023, SkyAlyne was chosen as the preferred bidder for the momentous, multi-decade program.

15 Wing Moose Jaw  currently hosts NATO flying training in Canada through a contract that expires in 2027.

The base accounts for approximately 30 per cent of RCAF flying hours annually.