CFB Esquimalt
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Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt (CFB Esquimalt) is Canada's west coast navy base and home port to the Pacific fleet, known as Maritime Forces Pacific.
It occupies approximately 40 km² (10,000 acres) at the southern tip of Vancouver Island on the Strait of Juan de Fuca in the municipality of Esquimalt, just west of the provincial capital of Victoria, British Columbia.
CFB Esquimalt is comprised of various facilities including HMCS Naden, Fleet Maintenance Facility - Cape Breton (FMF-CB), a Fire Fighting and Damage Control School, the Naval Officer Training Centre (NOTC Venture), and extensive housing including 716 personnel married quarters located at nine sites such as Belmont Park, Work Point, and Royal Roads.
The present dockyard and drydock dates to the Royal Navy's Esquimalt Royal Navy Dockyard (1842-1905) and was used initially to service Royal Navy square riggers; modernized, it now services the most recent Canadian warships.
CFB Esquimalt operates its own ferry service (the Blue Boat) and bus services to provide intra-base transportation. The Naval and Military Museum is located at HMCS Naden. The Look-Out is the base newspaper which covers local, national and international news with specific interest to Navy and Canadian Forces members and family issues.
[edit] Albert Head
CFB Esquimalt also includes the Albert Head training area located approximately 30 km by road southwest of downtown Victoria, occupying approximately 88 hectares (220 acres), 4 of which are developed as training facilities.
Fort Albert Head was established at this location during World War II to provide shore defense for the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Victoria Harbour. The facility is currently used by regular and reserve forces, as well as cadets (see CSTC Albert Head).
[edit] See also
- CFB Esquimalt
http://www.navy.forces.gc.ca/marpac/cfb-e/marpac_cfb-e_e.asp
