History of CFB Cold Lake in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: October 16, 2025

CFB Cold Lake is a Canadian Forces Base located in Cold Lake, Alberta. It serves as a key military installation within Canada.

1952: Construction of RCAF Station Cold Lake begins

In 1952, construction began on what would become RCAF Station Cold Lake, chosen for its low population density, accessibility, weather, suitable terrain, and available land for air weapons training, despite impacting First Nations' traditional lands.

March 31, 1954: Operations begin at RCAF Station Cold Lake

On March 31, 1954, personnel arrived and operations began at RCAF Station Cold Lake.

1962: Arrival of the CF-104 Starfighter

In 1962, the arrival of the CF-104 Starfighter resulted in a change of task to training pilots for Canada's NATO commitment in West Germany.

February 1, 1968: RCAF merges to form Canadian Forces, RCAF Station Cold Lake renamed

On February 1, 1968, the RCAF was merged with the Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Army to form the unified Canadian Forces. RCAF Station Cold Lake was renamed CFB Cold Lake.

1973: Senior Leaders Course (SLC) moved to CFB Cold Lake

In 1973, the Senior Leaders Course (SLC) moved to CFB Cold Lake.

1975: Transformation to Air Command (AIRCOM)

In 1975, Air Defence Command and several other CF commands transformed to become Air Command (AIRCOM).

November 1982: Establishment of the 4 Wing RCAF unit band

In November 1982, the modern form of the CFB Cold Lake unit band was established after a resolution by the National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa.

1982: Arrival of the CF-18 Hornet

In 1982, the CF-18 Hornet arrived, making the base the training focal point for this aircraft, in addition to operational squadrons being located there.

1983: Federal Court allows cruise missile tests to proceed

In 1983, the Federal Court of Canada ruled in favor of allowing the testing of AGM-86 Tomahawk air-launched cruise missiles to proceed, despite controversy and concerns from peace activists and local First Nations.

1987: Senior Leaders Course (SLC) was the only course offered at Cold Lake

From 1973 to 1987, SLC was the only course offered at Cold Lake.

1988: Survival School relocated to Cold Lake

In 1988, the Survival School, hosting Survival Instructor and Basic Survival courses, relocated to CFB Cold Lake.

1989: Unification of Survival School and SLC

In 1989, the Survival School and Senior Leaders Course (SLC) united under one commanding officer, becoming Cold Lake Cadet Camp (CLCC).

1990: Sounding rockets launched

In 1990, 18 sounding rockets were launched from CFB Cold Lake.

1993: Addition of Cadet Service Band program

In 1993, the Cold Lake Cadet Camp added the Cadet Service Band program, which ran for one year as both a Band and SLC but has now become solely a band program.

1995: USAF 366th Air Base Wing deployment

In 1995, the United States Air Force's 366th Air Base Wing, Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, deployed to CFB Cold Lake for the 366th's Operational Readiness Inspection exercise, simulating the setup of a frontline combat air base.

2000: Base buildings added to heritage register

In 2000, several of the base's buildings were put on the Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings.

2001: Base buildings added to heritage register

In 2001, several of the base's buildings were put on the Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings: Hangars 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and the Senior NCO's Building B-30.

2007: Jetstream TV series filmed at CFB Cold Lake

In 2007, the base was the setting for "Jetstream", a TV series depicting eight pilots training under the 410 Tactical Fighter Training Squadron to fly a CF-18.

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2010: Introduction of Fitness School and Basic Fitness and Sports Course

In the summer of 2010, Cold Lake Cadet Training Centre introduced the Fitness School and implemented the first Basic Fitness and Sports Course.

June 2011: Cancellation of scheduled civilian air service

In June 2011, the regularly scheduled civilian air service between Calgary and the Medley passenger terminal on the air base was cancelled.

2011: Introduction of Fitness and Sports Instructor Course

In the summer of 2011, Cold Lake Cadet Training Centre introduced a new six-week seniors course to the Fitness School: Fitness and Sports Instructor Course (FSIC).

August 27, 2020: Contract awarded for future fighter facilities

On August 27, 2020, the Government of Canada awarded EllisDon a $9.2 million contract for the construction of new facilities at CFB Cold Lake to house the RCAF's future fighter.

2020: CLCTC not used due to COVID-19 Pandemic

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, CLCTC was not used during 2020.

2021: CLCTC not used due to COVID-19 Pandemic

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, CLCTC was not used during 2021.

2022: Resumption of Cadet Summer Training

In 2022, Cadet Summer Training resumed, with CLCTC hosting Fitness and Sports Instructor (FSI), Advanced Aviation (AA), Survival Instructor (SI), and Drill and Ceremonial Instructor (DCI).

2023: 4 Wing units stationed at the facility

As of 2023, CFB Cold Lake has the following units of 4 Wing stationed at the facility.

2024: CLCTC only running Introduction to Survival (ITS), Survival Instructor (SI), Advanced Aviation (AA), and Aviation Technology & Aerospace (ATA) courses.

Since 2024, CLCTC has only been running Introduction to Survival (ITS), Survival Instructor (SI), Advanced Aviation (AA), and Aviation Technology & Aerospace (ATA) courses.

2025: First delivery of the fighter

In 2025, the first delivery of the future fighter is to be housed at CFB Cold Lake and CFB Bagotville, will require facility upgrades before the first delivery of the fighter.