5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group


5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group is a Canadian Forces brigade group that is part of 2nd Canadian Division of the Canadian Army. It is based at CFB Valcartier, near Quebec City, Quebec. The brigade group is the formation responsible for the majority of francophone units of the regular army.

Units

5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade GroupCFB Valcartier
5 CMBG Headquarters & Signal SquadronCFB Valcartier
12e Régiment blindé du CanadaArmouredCFB Valcartier
5e Régiment d'artillerie légère du CanadaArtilleryCFB Valcartier
5 Combat Engineer RegimentCombat engineersCFB Valcartier
1st Battalion, Royal 22e RégimentMechanized infantryCFB Valcartier
2nd Battalion, Royal 22e RégimentMechanized infantryQuebec City
3rd Battalion, Royal 22e RégimentLight infantryCFB Valcartier
5 Service BattalionCombat Service SupportCFB Valcartier

Three regular force units of other formations are collocated with 5 CMBG at CFB Valcartier and work closely with the brigade group, but are not officially a part of it.

History

During the 1970s and 1980s, the 5th was a Canadian Brigade Group was the primary formation of the Canadian Air-Sea Transportable Brigade Group, supported by additional artillery and light armour units, as well as two squadrons of Canadair CF-5 aircraft. The CAST mission to reinforce Norway in the event of hostilities was disbanded in 1989. On June 5, 1987 a new Canadian defence policy called Challenge and Commitment was tabled by the Government that directed that the Canadian Forces in Europe consolidate effort by combining the standing brigade then in Germany 4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group with a rapidly deployable brigade from Canada. The 5 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group would serve in this role and join the 4 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group under a newly created 1st Canadian Infantry Division tasked to the NATO Central Army Group until the end of the Cold War.