The Competition and Trophy

With support from the Military Engineering Association of Canada (MEAC), 1 Canadian Air Division initiated a construction project competition for both regular and reserve airfield engineer flights in 1999. Submissions may be of any nature related to airfield engineering, done anywhere and under any conditions (e.g. peace or wartime). The competition is based on the successful completion of a project of significant magnitude. This can be a new construction or recapitalization project on a Wing, a project from the Deployment for Training Program, work completed as part of a DCDS Operation, or any other project that an airfield engineer unit has completed.

1998/99 Winner

The winner of the Patton-Cunnington trophy in 1999 was 191Airfield Engineering Flight Comox, BC. The board commented that 191 AEF had planned and deployed in support of an operational mission, operated in the austere field environment of Bosnia, and had constructed some challenging projects critical to the helicopter detachment for OP PALLADIUM. The board noted that a Commander's Commendation had given weight to the evaluation and provided an excellent summary of 191 AEF's efforts:

"For their exemplary work performed from 10 October to 22 November 1998 during an Engineer Technical Assistance Visit in support of deploying a helicopter detachment to Bosnia-Herzegovina. The members of 191 AEF completed numerous construction tasks essential to helicopter infrastructure and operations. The Airfield Engineers demonstrated superb trade skills, hard work and flexibility in all tasks. Their professionalism, excellence and teamwork played a key role in the Canadian Forces first ever deployment of helicopters into Bosnia-Herzegovina in support of SFOR."

For 1999/2000

A Competitive Field of the top candidates was established based on the rated scores. While all AE units represented demonstrated their versatility, professionalism, dedication and hard work, five candidates were clearly at the top of the ratings. Based on the board member's evaluations, the competitive field consisted of 41 AEF, 81 AEF, 86 ASU, 14 AES and 191 AEF.

Further evaluation, discussion and re-ranking the units in the competitive field lead the Board to conclude that this year's winner of the MEAC sponsored Patton-Cunnington Airfield Engineer Trophy is 81 Airfield Engineering Flight, Trenton.

In early 1999, 81 AEF deployed to Kumanovo, Macedonia in support of the NATO Extraction Force assembled to provide protection for the multi-national military observers in Kosovo. 81 AEF was attached to a French Engineer Battalion for 90 days to beddown the Extraction Force. 81 AEF completed three major renovation projects: a communications complex, three barrack block washrooms and an abandoned barrack block. The Flight dealt with numerous challenges as they worked to Canadian standards, with Macedonian materials, all within a French engineer system. It's important to note that 81 AEF was augmented by personnel from many AE units across Canada for this deployment, which contributed to the complexities experienced.

81 AEF also deployed to McGhee-Tyson AFB as part of the Deployment For Training Program engineer exchange with the US Air National Guard (ANG). There, they constructed two Butler buildings, renovated washrooms, repaired helicopter operating surfaces and completed a concrete pad. Three ANG Civil Engineering Squadrons also deployed to work with 81 AEF in Trenton that year

81 AEF spent the last two months of 1999 completing OP ABACUS preparations as 81 AEF was designated a specialist standby unit for possible transfer to the OP ABACUS Joint Task Force Commander during the Employment Phase of the Operation

Congratulations to 81 AEF Trenton for their outstanding work!