Garrison Petawawa

History and establishment

The origins of Garrison Petawawa trace back to 1905 with the establishment of the Petawawa Military Camp by the Department of Militia and Defence. The government purchased approximately 90.8 square kilometres of land, largely from German immigrant settlers whose names still mark topographical features within the training area. The first military units to train at the camp in the summer of 1905 were elements of the Royal Canadian Horse and Garrison Artillery. Infrastructure development began in earnest in 1906 with the Royal Canadian Engineers constructing huts, stables, and utility systems. The site also holds a unique place in Canadian aviation history, as the first military aircraft flight in Canada occurred there on July 31, 1909, when J.A.D. McCurdy and F.W. Baldwin piloted the Silver Dart.

During the First World War, the camp served a dual purpose as a training ground and an internment camp. From December 1914 to May 1916, it held around 750 civilian internees, mostly Ukrainians and other Europeans from the Austro-Hungarian Empire deemed enemy aliens. These internees provided labour to clear land for artillery ranges. From May 1916 onward, the focus shifted to training, with 10,767 Canadian troops prepared at Petawawa before deployment overseas. A marked grave for Chou Ming Shan, a member of the Chinese Labour Corps who died in 1917, is located on the base, with an official Commonwealth War Graves Commission marker installed in 2019.

The Second World War saw a massive expansion of the camp's training capacity. Three training centres were established, and troop numbers peaked in 1943 with approximately 20,000 personnel undergoing training simultaneously. Petawawa again housed an internment camp, Internment Camp No. 33, which held 645 civilian internees, mostly Italians and Germans. After the war, the camp transitioned to a permanent establishment, officially designated Camp Petawawa in May 1951. It played a major role in the Korean War, hosting Special Force units like the 2nd Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery and The Royal Canadian Regiment before their deployment. The Royal Canadian Dragoons and 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment moved to the camp in 1948.

Following the unification of the Canadian Forces, the base was renamed Canadian Forces Base Petawawa on February 1, 1968. A significant organizational change occurred in 1977 with the disbandment of 2 Combat Group and its amalgamation with the Canadian Airborne Regiment to form the Special Service Force. This formation was itself reorganized and redesignated as 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group by ministerial order on April 24, 1995. The base celebrated its centennial in 2005 with community events commemorating a century of service. In 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the base deployed medical military personnel to Cross Lake to assist the Pimicikamak community.

Current role and major units

Garrison Petawawa is a central element of the Canadian Army's operational structure, functioning as the home station for 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (2 CMBG) and the 4th Canadian Division Support Group (4 CDSG). The 4 CDSG provides essential garrison support services to all Canadian Armed Forces units within its area of responsibility, encompassing infrastructure, logistics, and personnel services. The combat power of the garrison is concentrated in 2 CMBG, a formation designed as a mirror image of its sister brigades in Edmonton and Valcartier to provide general-purpose, mechanized capabilities for domestic and international operations. The brigade is composed of a diverse range of units that enable combined arms operations, with the headquarters function managed by the 2 CMBG Headquarters & Signal Squadron.

Direct fire support is provided by The Royal Canadian Dragoons, an armoured regiment, and indirect fire by the 2nd Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery. The infantry component consists of the 1st and 3rd Battalions of The Royal Canadian Regiment, while combat engineering support is the responsibility of 2 Combat Engineer Regiment. Sustained logistical support is delivered by 2 Service Battalion, ensuring the brigade is a self-contained, deployable force. In addition to the core mechanized brigade, Garrison Petawawa hosts several specialized and high-readiness units, including the Canadian Special Operations Regiment and the Canadian Special Operations Training Centre, which contribute to Canada's special forces capabilities. 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron and 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron are based at Garrison Petawawa and operate from the Petawawa Heliport located approximately 5 km north of the base. These squadrons fly the Bell CH-146 Griffon and CH-147F Chinook helicopters respectively.

Infrastructure and community

The physical footprint of Garrison Petawawa is vast, encompassing over 300 square kilometres of training area and containing 465 buildings as of March 2022. The base territory straddles the municipalities of Laurentian Hills, Petawawa, and Deep River along the western bank of the Ottawa River. Its population is substantial, with approximately 6,000 Canadian Forces personnel, 1,000 Department of National Defence civilian employees, and 5,653 military dependents directly connected to the base. An additional 6,000 people with base affiliations reside in local communities between Deep River and Pembroke, making the garrison a central economic and social institution in the region.

Recreational and fitness facilities are extensive, designed to support the well-being of military personnel and their families. Dundonald Hall, the main fitness complex on Festubert Boulevard, features a 5,000-square-metre field house with a 200-metre indoor track, a 25-metre swimming pool, a wading pool with a waterslide, and whirlpool and sauna facilities. The complex also includes a gymnasium, aerobic studios, and spaces for clubs like karate and indoor rock climbing. The South Side Community Centre offers similar recreational and family resource services, while seasonal activities include an 18-hole golf course, a full-service marina, beaches, and camping in summer, and cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and ice fishing in winter.

The base is undergoing significant modernization and expansion to support future operational needs and quality of life. A major infrastructure project announced in 2026 involves the expansion of a training complex, including approximately 23,000 square metres of new construction and renovations to an existing facility. The project will add seven new buildings for workspace, instruction, accommodation, and support services, along with a new electrical substation. The base is slated to receive almost $600 million in new housing and infrastructure as part of a broader federal spending plan, anticipating a construction boom that will further integrate the garrison with the surrounding community and support its personnel for decades to come.

Security enhancements and access

In response to an evolving global security landscape, Garrison Petawawa began implementing enhanced security protocols in April 2026. Officials, including Colonel Sean Trenholm, the base commander, described the changes as a proactive and essential evolution to align with practices in other federal institutions and among NATO allies. The core objective is to strengthen the security posture by creating clearer distinctions between operational military zones and public areas, thereby better protecting personnel, infrastructure, equipment, and information. The new measures involve stricter control of access points and movement within the base, with entry to the Operational Zone limited to three gates during weekdays and staffed by Commissionaires with the authority to deny entry.

During weekdays, entry to the Operational Zone is limited to three gates: Montgomery, McCurdy, and Frederick, operating between 0600 and 1800, excluding statutory holidays. The Main Gate at Frederick remains open 24 hours a day. Each access point is staffed by a minimum of two Commissionaires who have the authority to deny entry based on identification, authorization, or behaviour. Pedestrians and cyclists must also use designated gates and are subject to the same checks, ensuring all movement onto the base is monitored and controlled according to the updated security standards. Access requirements have been formalized under the new regime to ensure only authorized individuals enter secured areas. Entry is granted to individuals carrying valid military or DND identification, temporary passes, or a Garrison Vehicle Pass. Visitors, including contractors and delivery personnel, require pre-authorization or must undergo on-site vetting. Family members accompanying a pass holder may enter but must remain with that individual and carry valid government-issued photo ID. For unescorted access, a Visitor Vehicle Pass is required, and individuals without pre-arranged access can apply for a Day Pass at the Main Gate Guard House by surrendering a valid photo ID, which is returned when the pass is handed back within eight hours.

Museums and heritage

Garrison Petawawa preserves and presents its rich military history through the Garrison Petawawa Museum and the Canadian Airborne Forces Museum, which operate as a combined institution. The museums are dedicated to collecting, preserving, and displaying artifacts, documents, and photographs that illustrate military life at the base in both peace and war. Their stated mission is to remember Canada's military past, recognize the armed forces' service, educate youth, foster identity, and preserve community heritage. The museum is open to the public throughout the week and is affiliated with the Canadian Museums Association, the Canadian Heritage Information Network, and the Virtual Museum of Canada, ensuring its collections are accessible to a wide audience.

The collection features a wide array of military memorabilia, including uniforms, medals, patches, and historical photographs spanning the base's history from its founding to contemporary operations. A significant focus is placed on the history of airborne forces in Canada, documenting the legacy of the Canadian Airborne Regiment and related units. The museum grounds feature the sculpture INTO ACTION by André Gauthier, unveiled in 1988 to mark the 20th anniversary of the Canadian Airborne Regiment. The sculpture, located at the entrance to the Airborne Forces Museum, depicts a Canadian paratrooper in winter combat gear and serves as a tribute to the soldiers who served in that elite formation. The base also contains recognized built heritage that connects its physical structures to its historical narrative. Barracks Building F-16, constructed in 1953, was designated a Recognized Federal Heritage Building in 1995. The designation recognizes the building's association with the Canadian Armed Forces' efforts to meet post-Second World War international commitments and its modern classicist architectural style, which was common among federal buildings of that era.

Notable operations and deployments

• Domestic Operations: The base regularly contributes personnel to domestic aid-to-the-civil-power missions, such as disaster relief and support during events like the COVID-19 pandemic.
• COVID-19 Response: In 2021, the base deployed medical military personnel to Cross Lake to assist the Pimicikamak community in organizing a response to a local outbreak.
• International Deployments: Soldiers from Garrison Petawawa have served in major theatres including Afghanistan and Bosnia.
• Training and Peacekeeping: Petawawa-based units and individuals have participated in training missions in Ukraine and Africa, and in United Nations peacekeeping operations.

The base's infrastructure and support services are designed to sustain its operational tempo and support personnel and their families. Garrison Petawawa has an extensive infrastructure with 465 buildings and over 300 square kilometres of property comprising the Petawawa Training Area. The South Side Community Centre offers services including Recreation Services and Military Family Resources Services. These facilities, along with the main fitness facility Dundonald Hall, provide comprehensive support for the base community.

Questions about Garrison Petawawa

Where is Garrison Petawawa located?

Garrison Petawawa is situated in the Ottawa Valley in Renfrew County, Ontario. It lies approximately 170 kilometres northwest of Ottawa along the western bank of the Ottawa River. The main gate is located north of the town of Petawawa. The majority of the base territory is in the municipality of Laurentian Hills, with portions also in Petawawa and Deep River.

Can the public visit Garrison Petawawa?

Public access is permitted but is now subject to enhanced security measures implemented in 2026. Visitors must have a clear purpose, such as visiting the museum or attending a pre-arranged event. Entry typically requires a valid military/DND ID, a pre-authorized Visitor Vehicle Pass, or a Day Pass obtained at the Main Gate Guard House by surrendering a government-issued photo ID. Family members may accompany a pass holder but must stay with them.

What recreational facilities are available on the base?

The main fitness facility is Dundonald Hall, which houses a field house with a 200 m indoor running track, a 25 m swimming pool, a wading pool with a water slide, and whirlpool and sauna facilities. It also contains a gymnasium, aerobic studio, and rooms for clubs. The South Side Community Centre offers similar facilities and services. Seasonal recreation includes an 18-hole golf course, hiking trails, beaches, a full-service marina on the Ottawa River, camping, cross-country ski trails, snowmobiling, and ice fishing.

What is the historical significance of Garrison Petawawa?

Founded in 1905 as a military camp, it is one of Canada's oldest active army bases. It was the site of the first military aircraft flight in Canada in 1909. It served as an internment camp during both World Wars and trained tens of thousands of troops for overseas deployment. It was home to the Canadian Airborne Regiment and later the Special Service Force before becoming the headquarters for 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group. Its long history is preserved in the Garrison Petawawa Museum and through heritage buildings like the Recognized Federal Heritage Building F-16.

What new security measures were introduced in 2026?

In April 2026, Garrison Petawawa began rolling out enhanced security protocols to create clearer distinctions between operational and public areas. Key changes include limiting operational zone access to three gates during weekday daytime hours, with the Main Gate open 24/7. Commissionaires at each gate can deny entry based on identification or behaviour. All visitors require pre-authorization or a Day Pass obtained at the gate. The measures are a phased, long-term project aimed at aligning base security with practices in other federal institutions and among NATO allies.

What units are based at Garrison Petawawa?

Garrison Petawawa is home to 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group and the 4th Canadian Division Support Group. The brigade group includes its Headquarters & Signal Squadron, the 2nd Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, The Royal Canadian Dragoons, and the 1st and 3rd Battalions of The Royal Canadian Regiment. It also contains the 2 Combat Engineer Regiment and the 2 Service Battalion. The base hosts 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron and 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, which operate from Petawawa Heliport, as well as the Canadian Special Operations Regiment and the Canadian Special Operations Training Centre.

Sources and further reading

• Garrison Petawawa (Wikipedia)
• Garrison Petawawa Implements Enhanced Security Protocols (cmfmag.ca)
• MFRC | Petawawa (cfmws.ca)
• Expansion of Training Centre Infrastructure, Canada.ca (iaac-aeic.gc.ca)
• Garrison Petawawa strengthening its security posture (petawawapostlive.ca)

Checked by the Nosy Mag desk. Last updated 2026-10-30.