1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (1 CMBG; French: ) is a Canadian Forces brigade group that is part of the 3rd Canadian Division of the Canadian Army. Originally headquartered at CFB Calgary, it is currently based in CFB Edmonton in Alberta with two major units at CFB Shilo in Manitoba, and consists of eight Regular Force units.
History
The brigade was established on 14 October 1953 in Europe. 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade created 14 October 1953 Redesignated 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade Group in October 1955 Redesignated 1 Combat Group in 1972 Redesignated 1 Canadian Brigade Group in 1976 Redesignated 1 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group in 1992 In 1989 at the height of the Cold War the 1st Canadian Mechanized Infantry Division consisted of three brigades, one of them being the 1st Canadian Brigade Group. It had the following structure:
Headquarters at Calgary
Lord Strathcona's Horse (Royal Canadians) – armoured reconnaissance
1st Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry – mechanized
3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry – mechanized
3rd Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery – self-propelled artillery
1st Combat Engineer Regiment, Royal Canadian Engineers – light engineers
408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron – light helicopter support
1 CMBG sent a contingent of approximately 200 personnel for Task Force Kandahar Headquarters for a nine-month rotation starting February 2009 and sent approximately 2500 personnel for the task force in September 2009 for a six-month tour.
Composition
The eight units that comprise 1 CMBG are:
1 CMBG is colocated with, and frequently operates alongside, three regular force units which are not part of the formation: