CFB Valcartier

Canadian Forces Base Valcartier is located 25 km north of Quebec City. CFB Valcartier was originally erected as a military camp in August of 1914 as part of the mobilization of the Canadian Expeditionary Force at the onset of World War I. Due to its proximity to the port of Quebec it became the largest military camp on Canadian soil, including some 32,000 men and 8,000 horses.

Currently, Valcartier Garrison is home to 5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group; the following units are stationed at Valcartier:
*Quartier général et escadron de transmissions, 5^e Groupe-brigade mécanisé du Canada
*5^e Régiment d'artillerie légère du Canada (5 RALC)
*12^e Régiment blindé du Canada (12 RBC)
*5^e Régiment du génie de combat
*1^er Batallion, Le Royal 22^e Régiment
*3^e Batallion, Le Royal 22^e Régiment
*5 Field Ambulance
*5 Military Police Platoon.

The base also houses 430 Tactical Helicopter Squadron, 5 Service Battalion (which also provides services from the St-Jean and Montreal garrisons), CI SQFT (Land Force Quebec Area Training Centre), in addition to providing training facilities for most Quebec-based reserve units. The Myriam Bédard Biathlon Training Centre is also located on the base.

CFB Valcartier is also home to a Defence Research & Development Canada (DRDC) location, which conducts military research for the Canadian Forces.

ASU Valcartier is also home of the Army Cadet Summer Training Centre Valcartier, which trains Royal Canadian Army Cadets of the Eastern Region / Province of Québec.

In 1997 a cancer-causing chemical, trichloroethylene, was found in the water supply of CFB Valcartier and the nearby town of Shannon, Québec. Trichloroethylene, which has been linked to liver cancer, was used for degreasing metal parts at the base in the 1970's. The Department of National Defence, which was accused of a cover-up, reached a legal settlement with the town in 2004. [ [http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2001/02/06/shannon_h2o_010206.html Cancer-causing chemical contaminates Quebec town's water] ] [ [http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/lf/English/1_8_2_3_4.asp The Canadian Army] ] [ [http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/educationofshannon.html CBC News- the fifth estate- Shannon's TCE Water Woes] ]

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