December 12, 2024
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Army – Units

Below is a comprehensive list of notable Canadian Army units throughout its history, spanning from its early origins to the modern era. This list includes active units as well as historically significant ones that were disbanded or restructured over time. The units are categorized by type for clarity.

Infantry Units

Regular Force Regiments

  1. The Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR)
    • Established in 1883, the RCR is one of Canada’s oldest permanent infantry regiments.
  2. Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI)
    • Formed in 1914 for the First World War, renowned for its distinguished service in major conflicts.
  3. Royal 22nd Regiment (R22eR) – The Van Doos
    • Founded in 1914, the only primarily French-speaking infantry regiment in the Regular Force.

Reserve Force Infantry Regiments

  1. The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada
  2. The Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada
  3. The Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada
  4. The Algonquin Regiment
  5. The Canadian Grenadier Guards
  6. The Princess of Wales’ Own Regiment
  7. The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (Wentworth Regiment)
  8. The Calgary Highlanders
  9. The North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment
  10. The Essex and Kent Scottish

(Note: Dozens of reserve regiments exist across Canada, representing local regions and often with historical connections to earlier militia units.)

Armoured Units

Regular Force Regiments

  1. Lord Strathcona’s Horse (Royal Canadians)
    • A Regular Force armoured regiment specializing in reconnaissance and armoured combat.
  2. The Royal Canadian Dragoons
    • Established in 1883, Canada’s senior armoured regiment.
  3. 12e Régiment blindé du Canada (12 RBC)
    • A primarily French-speaking armoured regiment.

Reserve Force Armoured Regiments

  1. The Governor General’s Horse Guards
  2. The British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught’s Own)
  3. The Fort Garry Horse
  4. The King’s Own Calgary Regiment
  5. The Sherbrooke Hussars
  6. The Saskatchewan Dragoons
  7. The Windsor Regiment (RCAC)

Artillery Units

Regular Force

  1. The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery (RCA)
    • Comprising multiple Regular and Reserve units across Canada.
  2. 2nd Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery (2 RCHA)
  3. 5e Régiment d’artillerie légère du Canada (5e RALC)

Reserve Force

  1. The 7th Toronto Regiment, RCA
  2. 11th Field Regiment, RCA
  3. 20th Field Regiment, RCA

Engineer Units

  1. 1 Combat Engineer Regiment (1 CER)
    • Located in Edmonton, Alberta.
  2. 2 Combat Engineer Regiment (2 CER)
    • Based in Petawawa, Ontario.
  3. 5 Combat Engineer Regiment (5 CER)
    • A French-speaking unit located in Quebec.

Special Forces

  1. Joint Task Force 2 (JTF2)
    • Canada’s elite special operations unit, specializing in counter-terrorism and high-risk missions.
  2. Canadian Special Operations Regiment (CSOR)
    • Established in 2006, tasked with rapid-response special operations.
  3. 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron
    • Provides air support for special operations missions.

Logistics and Support Units

  1. Royal Canadian Logistics Service (RCLS)
    • Provides transportation, supply chain management, and logistical support.
  2. Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (RCEME)
    • Responsible for the maintenance and repair of military equipment.
  3. Royal Canadian Medical Service (RCMS)
    • Provides medical support to the Canadian Armed Forces.

Historical Units

Colonial Militias

  1. Compagnies Franches de la Marine (French colonial militia, 17th–18th centuries)
  2. Militia of British North America
    • Formed during the War of 1812 and other early colonial conflicts.

First World War Units

  1. Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF)
    • Formed for overseas service during the First World War.
  2. 4th Canadian Division
  3. The Canadian Machine Gun Corps

Second World War Units

  1. 1st Canadian Infantry Division
  2. 2nd Canadian Infantry Division
  3. 3rd Canadian Infantry Division
  4. Canadian Armoured Corps
    • Later renamed the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps.

Cold War and Post-Cold War

  1. Canadian Airborne Regiment
    • Disbanded in 1995 following its service in peacekeeping and combat missions.
  2. UN Emergency Force (Canada)
    • Units deployed during the Suez Crisis.

Peacekeeping Units

  1. United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF)
  2. Canadian Contingent in Cyprus (UNFICYP)
  3. United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR)
    • Deployed to the Balkans in the 1990s.

Modern Deployments

  1. Task Force Kandahar (Afghanistan)
    • A composite unit deployed during Canada’s involvement in Afghanistan.
  2. Operation Impact (Iraq)
    • Canadian units supporting the coalition against ISIS.

Conclusion

The Canadian Army’s units, past and present, reflect the nation’s complex military history and its evolution into a modern force. From colonial militias to specialized units operating on global missions, these units have contributed to Canada’s security and its role on the international stage.