3 Wing Bagotville
3 Wing Bagotville is located at Canadian Forces Base Bagotville in Quebec's Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region. The goal of 3 Wing, under the operational command of 1 Canadian Air Division (1 CAD), is to protect Canada and Canadians, defend North America and promote peace and international security. Equipped with CF-188 Hornets, it is one of two fighter aircraft units in Canada.
3 wing consists of several divisions which include primarily the deputy commander, mission support squadron, and health care divisions. There is also the operation support squadron, which oversees activities relating to the support and distribution of operational tasks, 12 radar squadron (12 RS), 3 air maintenance squadron (3 AMS) and 439 combat support squadron equipped with Griffon helicopters for combat support, as well as search and rescue.
History
The Bagotville Station was built in July 1942 to provide a training base for pilots and protect the Alcan and hydro-electric facilities in the area during World War II, hence its motto "Defend the Saguenay".
Closed at the end of the war, the station was re-opened in 1951 as a training base for the squadrons serving with the Canadian Division in Europe and to support the air defense operations of the newly formed Canadian and American forces that would become NORAD in 1958.Following implementation of the wing concept in the Air Force, 3 wing, which in succession served Canada at Zweibrücken from 1952 to 1968 and at Lahr from 1988 to 1992, was reconstituted at Bagotville on 1 April 1993.
Read more about the history of 3 Wing Bagotville.
Squadrons
- 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron
- 433 Tactical Fighter Squadron
- 439 Combat Support Squadron
- 3 Air Maintenance Squadron
- 12 Radar Squadron
- 3 Wing Air Reserve Flight
- Forward Operating Location Iqaluit
Equipment

"Vanguard of liberty"
Significance: The eagle symbolizes the strength, swiftness, and fighting spirit of the unit. The Three maple leaves relate to the unit’s name.
Command team

Colonel Normand Gagné
Chief Warrant Officer

Chief Warrant Officer Pascal Turcotte, MSM, CD
Wing news

National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces – COVID-19
The latest information and resources for military and civilian members of the Defence Team related to the rapidly evolving 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and the steps being taken to minimize the risk to our military and civilian members.
March 19, 2020

Join the RCAF - Dare to be extraordinary
Join the RCAF - Dare to be extraordinary
February 1, 2020

Captain Paige Campbell, RCAF Female Athlete of the Year, goes far taking part in CAF sports
Captain Paige Campbell, an Air Combat Systems Officer with 442 Squadron, at 19 Wing Comox, was nominated RCAF Female Athlete of the Year.
January 15, 2021

Master Corporal Gabriel Auclair, RCAF Male Athlete of the Year, shows that there is more to weightlifting than physical strength
Master Corporal Gabriel Auclair, a 406 Maritime Operational Training Squadron Aviation Technician based at 12 Wing Shearwater, Nova Scotia, was nominated RCAF Male Athlete of the Year.
January 13, 2021

Master Warrant Officer Edward Hebb appointed as member of the Order of Military Merit
Governor General Julie Payette recently appointed Master Warrant Officer Edward Hebb as member of the Order of Military Merit for his dedicated service since his enrollment in 1998.
January 11, 2021
Contact information
3 Wing Bagotville
PO Box 5000 Station Bureau-Chef
Alouette QC G0V 1A0
Public Affairs Officer
Phone: 418-677-4145
Fax: 418-677-4073
Email: 3EscBagotville@forces.gc.ca