Looks like JTF 2 really is moving to Trenton

David Pugliese of the Ottawa Citizen reports a lot of details:

The Canadian military has earmarked $220 million to build a new base for the Joint Task Force 2 counter-terrorism unit [now also a general purpose special forces unit], with plans calling for the secretive formation to move out of Ottawa sometime after 2010.

Defence Construction Canada, a Crown corporation that handles the Defence Department's building needs, is asking for "expressions of interest" from contractors and consultants for the development of what it calls a multi-functional training and administrative campus.

The new facility is to be in "Eastern Ontario," with the specific location considered secret at this point, according to the information provided so far to construction and engineering contractors. But Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Rick Hillier has recommended to cabinet that JTF2's new base be located at Canadian Forces Base Trenton.

Public Works and Government Services Canada has already purchased three properties adjacent to CFB Trenton for the Defence Department.

Those total just under 130 hectares. Another 270 hectares are also being looked at for purchase.

"It's a number of properties that we're continuing to negotiate with," said Public Works spokeswoman Meeta Bhimani.

Contractors have been told the new site will consist of indoor and outdoor training areas, storage and maintenance facilities, residence and food service buildings, a swimming pool and recreation centre, and a shooting range. It still hasn't been decided whether a single building or a number of facilities will be needed to house the 600-strong unit [emphasis added].

The Defence Department would not comment yesterday on the new training facility.

JTF2 is currently located at Dwyer Hill and Franktown roads, but the unit has outgrown the 80-hectare location...

Military commanders don't want to proceed with the move until after the Vancouver Olympics in 2010, since any relocation is expected to be disruptive. JTF2 and other units of the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command are going to have key security roles during the Olympics, but details aren't being released. At the same time, the design and construction of the new site will take several years...

Positioning JTF2 at CFB Trenton, one of the country's main military airbases, allows the unit immediate access to aircraft for domestic and overseas missions. It is also an ideal location because another unit in the special operations command, the Canadian Joint Incident Response Unit, which deals with nuclear, biological and chemical incidents, is already located there. JTF2 works closely with that unit on counter-terrorism exercises...

The Belleville Intelligencer reported most of the Trenton details a few days ago.

One question: will part of JTF 2 be kept near Ottawa to deal rapidly with a hostage incident--the reason the RCMP's Special Emergency Response Team, and then its replacement, JTF 2, were stationed at Dwyer Hill in the first place? Or is it now good enough to have members roughly half-way between the capital and Toronto (smile)?

All in all this move is probably the best way to fulfill a stupid Conservative campaign promise. This is how another one is being dealt with.