STATION REPORT
CANADIAN FORCES BASE (CFB) MOOSE JAW
SASKATCHEWAN, CANADA

1. LOCATION. CFB Moose Jaw is located in the southern tip of Saskatchewan, 240 miles northwest of Minot AFB, North Dakota. The area is mainly a wheat-growing area, extremely flat with a few long rolling hills to the southeast.

2. NEAREST CITY. The base is located five miles South of the town of Moose Jaw, population 35,000. The town is a typical prairie town. There is a downtown shopping area as well as a mall, Superstore, and several hardware and grocery stores that are similar to those found in the U.S.

3. CLIMATE. Moose Jaw is located in a semi-arid region with hot dry summers and cold dry winters. The average summer temperature is about 80°F and the average winter temperature is -2°F, not including the wind-chill! Winter winds can make the temperature feel like -40°F. The province is roughly the same size as Texas, but with a population of under one million it has plenty of open and sparsely populated area.

4. PROXIMITY TO LARGE CITIES. The Provincial capital is Regina, population 180,000, located 45 minutes east by four-lane highway. Regina is a beautiful city with all the modern conveniences including 4 nice malls, plentiful downtown shopping opportunities, the Regina Symphony, and an I-Max Theater. The other major city in the province is Saskatoon. Located roughly two hours north of Moose Jaw, Saskatoon is a beautiful city of 200,000. It has much to offer in the way of shopping opportunities and cultural events. Major centers such as Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Banff National Park are all a six to eight hour drive.

5. FACILITIES:

1. Housing. Dedicated base housing is reserved for the US exchange officer and family. The house is a duplex, shared with the Royal Air Force exchange officer and family. There are two main floors and a basement, with four bedrooms located upstairs. Refrigerator and stove are furnished. There is no garage. Approximate monthly rent is $400.00 Canadian, with utilities running approximately $100 to $150 Canadian monthly. Living on base is highly recommended due to the proximity to work and social functions and the high visibility of the exchange position.
    
2. Schools. The base does not have a school. Children Kindergarten - Grade 9 are bused to Moose Jaw for school. You can choose any school in town for K-Grade 9 students. Schools available are; French Immersion, Catholic, or public. If you have high school students the base is required to send all students that live on base to a designated high school.
    
3. Commissary. There is a shoppette but there is no commissary. Most food items are more expensive in Canada and many US brands are not available. You may find it beneficial to make the trip to Minot every few months for a BX and Commissary run. The trip to Minot takes approximately 6 hours. You are not limited on what you may bring back as long as it's for personal consumption, or use.
    
4. Base Exchange. There is no Base Exchange.
    
5. Shopping. Moose Jaw shopping is similar to US Midwest small town shopping. You have your one or two department stores and grocery stores, but any major shopping is done in Regina. Currently, there is combined 14% sales tax on goods and services within the province. (7% "federal" Goods and Services Tax and 7% Provincial Sales Tax)
    
6. Recreation. There are several recreational opportunities in the local area. You'll find camping facilities 3-4 hours away at Cypress Hills or Moose Mountain Provincial Parks. Fishing, summer and winter, at Buffalo Pound Lake just north of Moose Jaw. Diefenbaker and Last Mountain Lakes are large lakes located within three hours of Moose Jaw. Hunting, fishing, golfing, snowmobile riding, curling, and, of course, hockey are some of the most popular pastimes in the region. If you enjoy getting away to the city, Edmonton, Calgary, and Winnipeg are all within a day's drive.
    
7. Mess Facilities. The Officers' Mess is the hub of base social activity and a common place to meet on Friday night. The base is much more socially active than the typical US base, and the exchange officer is typically invited to every social event. The mess usually has different planned activities each month. The Officers Mess also has a ladies club. The ladies club usually meets every other month and puts on several large social events throughout the year.
    
8. Public Transportation. None.

6. WHAT TO BRING:

1. Appliances. Your quarters will have a stove only. Bring a refrigerator, and washer and dryer as hook-ups are provided in the basement. You'll have to change the plug on your dryer since the Canadians use a 4-prong 220V outlet vs. 3-prong.
    
2. Car. It is not necessary to change registration to Saskatchewan plates. It is an option. If you do register your vehicle you will need insurance.
    
3. Clothing. According to the Wing Flying Orders, exchange personnel are allowed to wear either the USAF flying gear or the Canadian flying gear. Either is acceptable, and both have been done in the past. It is recommended to stock up on flight gear if able, since access is through Ottawa, not the local uniform store. Bring clothing for four seasons with emphasis on severe cold winters.
    
4. Furnishings. The house provided is unfurnished and has approximately 1174 sq ft plus a basement. If you have large furniture you may need to store some of it. A floor plan is available from the housing office (telephone (306)694-2255) upon request.
    
5. Telephones. SASKTEL is the local carrier, if you use them for long distance, especially to the States, you will find them more expensive . Call AT&T Canada or Sprint Canada for more reasonable rates.

7. BANKING AND MAIL. A Canadian bank account is available in town, and useful for transactions involving bill payments. Mail is received and delivered either at the Can-Ex on base or in town, with a local post office box on base. No UPS available, yet other forms of Air Mail are options.

8. COMMUNITY RELATIONS. 15 Wing Moose Jaw enjoys an enviable relationship with the town of Moose Jaw, receiving support in many aspects. Moose Jaw is currently home of NATO Flying Training in Canada.

9. CHURCHES AND SYNAGOGUES. Various Protestant and Catholic churches are available, both on base and in town.

10. GENERAL COMMENTS. The base is home to 2 CFFTS, Flight Instructor School and Canada's aerial demonstration team, the Snowbirds.  Moose Jaw is, as with any other assignment, what you make it. This exchange is not a typical assignment-the town is isolated, the climate is barren, and the closest USAF support is in Ottawa, as you are the only USAF member in the province. However, there are countless rewarding and challenging opportunities for flying, leadership, and officer development.

11. USAF EXCHANGE POSITIONS AT THIS LOCATION:

• Captain/K11K3Z (Instructor Pilot); CT-156 Instructor Pilot; 2 Canadian Forces Flying Training School (The "Big 2"); 15 Wing

Last Update: 27Mar03 Maj A.