British Departure Leaves Alberta’s Suffield Military Base in Limbo
The future of Alberta’s Suffield military base is uncertain after the British Army’s significant withdrawal of troops and training activities.
CFB Suffield, Alberta, British Army, Canada, Military Training
CFB SUFFIELD: This massive military training base in Alberta is feeling the impact of the British Army’s reduced presence. Once bustling with activity, it now seems quieter than ever.
Located about 260 kilometers east of Calgary, Suffield is Canada’s largest training area. It spans nearly 2,700 square kilometers, which is more than twice the size of New York City.
For decades, thousands of British troops came here for training. Even Prince Harry was spotted enjoying Calgary’s nightlife before heading off to Afghanistan in 2007.
But things took a turn in 2020 with the pandemic disrupting operations. Fast forward to 2023, and the U.K. Ministry of Defence announced a major cutback in activities at Suffield, halting training for at least two years.
All the heavy equipment, like tanks and artillery, has been sent back home. The U.K. Armed Forces confirmed they aren’t conducting large-scale training at the base anymore.
While discussions about the future are ongoing, Canadian Defence Minister Bill Blair mentioned they’re committed to the facility and exploring its potential uses.
Canadian Forces reserve units still train there, and the base hosts NATO biological and chemical training events. Recently, U.S. Armed Forces have also started helicopter training at Suffield.
However, the lively atmosphere is gone. During a recent training exercise, the base felt almost deserted. The nearby Village of Ralston still has a school and a church, but the usual hustle and bustle is missing.
Lt.-Col. Tom Bradley, who leads the South Alberta Light Horse regiment, noted how much quieter it is now. The British used to book ranges a year in advance, but now it’s much easier to secure training space.
Bradley emphasized the base’s size makes it perfect for live-fire training without safety concerns. It’s also one of the few places in the West for safe chemical training.
Experts like Rob Huebert from the University of Calgary believe Suffield is underutilized and that Canada needs to step up its military spending. He thinks the base will see renewed activity, especially with rising tensions in Europe.
Sadly, the local economy has taken a hit. The only pizza place in Suffield closed down after nearly 40 years, and local businesses miss the British troops who used to bring in extra cash.
Dan Hamilton, reeve of Cypress County, hopes for a return of British forces, saying their presence was a big boost for the local economy.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on December 14, 2024.
— With files from Kyle Duggan in Ottawa