Land Force Western Area

Land Force Western Area (LFWA) was a formation of the Canadian Army responsible for operations in the Canadian provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.[1] LFWA was headquartered at CFB Edmonton. The command was formed in 1991. In 2013 it was announced that LFWA would be renamed 3rd Canadian Division.[2] This change took place in the summer of 2014.

Land Force Western Area
Active1 September 1991 – June 2014
CountryCanada
BranchCanadian Army
TypeHeadquarters
Part ofCanadian Army
Garrison/HQCFB Edmonton
Motto(s)Pace Paratus ad Arma "In peace prepared for war"
March"Invercargil"
Websitewww.army-armee.forces.gc.ca/en/western/index.page
AbbreviationLFWA

History

LFWA was created on 1 September 1991, taking command of what was previously Prairie Militia Area, Pacific Militia Area, and the Regular Force Army units and formations in western Canada from the northern lakehead region of Ontario to the Pacific Ocean. At that point in time, the Militia Areas ceased to exist, and the seven subordinate Militia Districts were reorganised into four: British Columbia District, Alberta District, Saskatchewan District, and Manitoba-Lakehead District.[3]

Later that decade, the four reserve force districts were again reorganized into three Canadian Brigade Groups.

In 2014 LFWA was renamed 3rd Canadian Division. With this change of name, the formation was also granted the identifying patch and historical lineage to the division that fought in the two world wars.

Commanders

  • Major-General T.F. de Faye (1991–93)
  • Brigadier-General Beare, CD (2004–2005)
  • Brigadier-General Jorgensen, OMM, MSM, CD (2008 −2010)
  • Brigadier-General P.F. Wynnyk, OMM, CD (2010–2012)
  • Brigadier-General J.C.G. Juneau (2012–2014)[4]

Units

Land Force Western Area had four brigade groups (one Regular Force and three Reserve Force), and an Area Support Group.

There were also five units are under direct command of LFWA that didn't operate under the four brigade groups and one area support group. They were:

The LFWA maintained an official military band until 1998.

1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group

1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group was a Regular Force brigade group based out of CFB Edmonton.

1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade GroupCFB Edmonton
1 CMBG Headquarters & Signal SquadronCFB Edmonton
1st Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse ArtilleryArtilleryCFB Shilo
Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians)ArmouredCFB Edmonton
1 Combat Engineer RegimentCombat engineersCFB Edmonton
1st Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryMechanized infantryCFB Edmonton
2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryMechanized infantryCFB Shilo
3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light InfantryLight infantryCFB Edmonton
1 Service BattalionLogistic Service and SupportCFB Edmonton

1 Area Support Group

1 Area Support Group was headquartered out of CFB Edmonton. The Support Group was responsible for providing service and support to the units of Land Force Western Area.

1 Area Support GroupCFB Edmonton
1 Field AmbulanceCFB Edmonton
1 Military Police RegimentCFB Edmonton
CFB/ASU Edmonton
CFB/ASU Shilo
CFB Suffield
CFB/ASU Wainwright
ASU Calgary
ASU Chilliwack

38 Canadian Brigade Group

38 Canadian Brigade Group (38 CBG) was a Reserve Force brigade group based out of Winnipeg, Manitoba. It's composed of units in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and eastwards into Ontario to Thunder Bay, Ontario.

38 Canadian Brigade GroupWinnipeg
38 Canadian Brigade Group HeadquartersWinnipeg
The Saskatchewan DragoonsArmoured reconnaissanceMoose Jaw
The Fort Garry HorseArmoured reconnaissanceWinnipeg
10th Field Artillery Regiment, RCAArtilleryRegina and Yorkton
26th Field Artillery Regiment, RCAArtilleryBrandon and Portage la Prairie
116th Independent Field Battery, RCAArtilleryKenora
38 Combat Engineer RegimentCombat engineersSaskatoon, Winnipeg
38 Signals RegimentCommunicationsRegina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Thunder Bay
The Royal Winnipeg RiflesLight infantryWinnipeg
The Lake Superior Scottish RegimentLight infantryThunder Bay
The North Saskatchewan RegimentLight infantrySaskatoon and Prince Albert
The Royal Regina RiflesLight infantryRegina
The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of CanadaLight infantryWinnipeg
38 Service BattalionService and supportRegina, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Thunder Bay

39 Canadian Brigade Group

39 Canadian Brigade Group (39 CBG) was a Primary Reserve brigade group based out of Vancouver, British Columbia. All of the units of the brigade are from the province of British Columbia.

39 Canadian Brigade GroupVancouver
39 Canadian Brigade Group HeadquartersVancouver
The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own)Armoured reconnaissanceVancouver
The British Columbia DragoonsArmoured reconnaissanceKelowna and Vernon
5th (British Columbia) Field Artillery Regiment, RCAArtilleryVictoria and Nanaimo
15th Field Artillery Regiment, RCAArtilleryVancouver and Aldergrove
39 Combat Engineer RegimentCombat engineersVancouver, Chilliwack and Trail
39 Signal RegimentCommunicationsVancouver, Victoria and Nanaimo
The Rocky Mountain RangersLight infantryKamloops
The Royal Westminster RegimentLight infantryNew Westminster and Aldergrove
The Seaforth Highlanders of CanadaLight infantryVancouver
The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's)Light infantryVictoria, Nanaimo and Comox
39 Service BattalionService and supportRichmond and Victoria

41 Canadian Brigade Group

41 Canadian Brigade Group (41 CBG) was a Reserve Force brigade group based out of Calgary, Alberta. The units forming the brigade group are from the province of Alberta, as well as a company based out of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.

41 Canadian Brigade GroupCalgary
41 Canadian Brigade Group HeadquartersCalgary
The South Alberta Light HorseArmoured reconnaissanceEdmonton and Medicine Hat
The King's Own Calgary Regiment (RCAC)Armoured reconnaissanceCalgary
20th Field Artillery Regiment, RCAArtilleryEdmonton and Red Deer
20th Independent Field Battery, RCAArtilleryLethbridge
41 Combat Engineer RegimentCombat engineersCalgary and Edmonton
41 Signal RegimentCommunicationsCalgary, Edmonton, and Red Deer
The Loyal Edmonton Regiment (4th Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry)Light infantryEdmonton and Yellowknife
The Calgary HighlandersLight infantryCalgary
41 Service BattalionService and supportCalgary and Edmonton

Museums

Name Town/City Regions Type Summary
Loyal Edmonton Regiment MuseumEdmontonEdmonton MetropolitanMilitarywebsite, history of the Loyal Edmonton Regiment
5th (BC) Regiment MuseumVictoriaCapitalMilitarywebsite, history of coast artillery and associated units from 1861 to the present day
Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary’s) Regimental MuseumVictoriaCapitalMilitary
Regimental Museum of the BC RegimentVancouverMetro VancouverMilitaryHistory and artifacts of The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own)
Royal Westminster Regiment Historical Society and MuseumNew WestminsterMetro VancouverMilitary
Seaforth Highlanders of Canada Regimental Museum and ArchivesVancouverMetro VancouverMilitary
12th Manitoba Dragoons MuseumBrandonWestmanMilitarywebsite, history of the 26th Field Artillery Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery
Royal Winnipeg Rifles Regimental MuseumWinnipegWinnipeg CapitalMilitarywebsite, history of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles

Acronyms

LFWA was sometimes referred to irreverently as "Luftwaffe" due to its acronym.

References

  1. "What is Land Force Western Area". Department of National Defence/Canadian Army/LFWA-JTFW HQ. 29 July 2011. Archived from the original on 23 May 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2011.
  2. "Restoring the Canadian Army's historical identity". Department of National Defence. Archived from the original on 14 July 2013. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
  3. "Domestic Military Organization 1900–1999". Canadian Soldiers.com. 22 February 2013.
  4. "Commander LFWA – JTWA". Department of National Defence/Canadian Army/LFWA-JTFW HQ. 25 June 2010. Archived from the original on 27 October 2012. Retrieved 2 October 2011.

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